Youth Care Specialist I

Youth Care Specialist

The Youth Care Specialist provides a variety of supportive services including but not limited to, direct oversight and supervision of drop-in and 24/7 interim & permanent supportive housing programs, assistance with basic needs, street outreach, employment preparation and placement assistance, education, housing navigation, individualized case management, crisis intervention and behavioral support, transportation and other services that address the overall needs of drop-in, residential and community members.

This position works with a population that is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness and has high rates of mental health, health and substance-related issues. The ideal candidate must be familiar with and have experience with this population.

Essential Functions:

• Provide a welcoming presence onsite for members to engage with by answering questions, providing information and facilitating engagement opportunities.
• Provide a comprehensive continuum of homelessness prevention services, including street outreach, employment preparation and placement assistance, individualized case management, education, housing location and retention, and other supportive services.
• Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure member and resident safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation along a spectrum of intervention techniques.
• Provide direct supervision and assistance with basic needs (meals, clothing, hygiene) and day to day program operations.
• Conduct intake, CES assessment, and individualized needs assessments and collaborate with youth to develop a services and housing stability plan that addresses barriers to obtaining services, housing and healthcare.
• As the primary Point of Contact work in collaboration with a team of service providers in an effort to obtain, stabilize and maintain housing.
• Implement a philosophy-of-care, including housing-first, harm-reduction and trauma-informed care principles.
• Collaborate with other LA LGBT Center departments and outside organizations agencies on youth events, resources and youth development opportunities.
• Plan and facilitate programming, events and activities utilizing a Positive Youth development framework that develops a sense of competence, usefulness, power and belonging among at-risk youth, youth experiencing homelessness, at-home/at-school youth and youth who see themselves as the leaders of the future.
• Conduct outreach and engagement.
• Complete general operational and administrative work such as compiling data, statistics, preparing reports, and drafting correspondence.
• Organize and maintain program files and materials through data entry and database maintenance.
• Assist with special projects as directed by management staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications and

Experience:

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting LGBTQ youth, including experience working with high risk youth (specific work with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or runaway youth a plus).
• A passion for the Center's work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in related field, specifically working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness or Bachelor's Degree (Social Work, Social Services, Public Health or related field).
• Experience with substance abuse/mental health case management and crisis intervention.
• Be able and willing to work flexible hours which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to work with a high acuity population and able to de-escalate threatening/volatile situations with clients.
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with uncooperative clients.
• Ability to apply principles of professional boundaries and ethics to on the job situations.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with youth and demonstrate active (reflective listening).
• Ability to engage youth in activities and facilitate…