Youth & Family Specialist Walker's Point Youth & Family Center

WALKER’S POINT YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE

Youth & Family Specialist – Runaway & Teen Crisis Program

SUPERVISOR

House Manager

Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center’s Runaway & Teen Crisis Program provides temporary shelter, counseling, crisis intervention, and supportive services to youth ages 11-17 at no cost. The program provides a safe and legal alternative to the streets for runaway and homeless youth while offering a supportive environment where youth and families can engage in problem‑solving and develop plans for long‑term stability.

Our goal is to empower youth to make positive decisions and build healthy futures.

The Youth & Family Specialist (YFS) provides trauma‑informed crisis intervention, shelter care, and supportive services to youth residing in Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center’s 24‑hour Runaway & Teen Crisis Shelter.

Youth & Family Specialists are responsible for maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive environment while overseeing shelter operations during their assigned shift. This position provides direct supervision of youth, volunteers, and interns; assists with training and onboarding new staff; facilitates educational and support groups; maintains required documentation; and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to support positive outcomes for youth and families.

The YFS serves as the primary staff member responsible for shelter operations during assigned shifts and is expected to exercise sound judgment in responding to crises, maintaining safety, supporting volunteers and interns, training new staff, and making day‑to‑day decisions that support both youth well‑being and effective shelter operations.

This position provides direct care, crisis intervention, supervision, and support to youth residing in the shelter while ensuring compliance with agency policies, licensing requirements, safety standards, and program expectations.

The Youth & Family Specialist works closely with the House Manager, Shelter Case Manager, Therapist, Volunteer and Intern Coordinator, and other agency staff to provide high‑quality services that are youth‑centered, trauma‑informed, strengths‑based, and culturally responsive.

1. Shelter Care & Resident Supervision

• Provide consistent, caring, and supportive residential supervision and shelter care for youth in a trauma‑informed environment.
• Meet the physical, emotional, behavioral, and crisis needs of youth.
• Build positive and supportive relationships with residents.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and welcoming living environment.
• Develop and facilitate recreational, educational, and life‑skills activities.
• Supervise residents throughout assigned shifts.
• Meet with visitors and coordinate family visits as appropriate.
• Prevent, de‑escalate, and resolve conflicts among residents, family members, and visitors.
• Conduct routine room checks, safety checks, and supervision rounds.

2. Crisis Intervention & Intake Services

• Initiate, coordinate, and complete shelter intake processes.
• Conduct crisis assessments and provide crisis intervention services.
• Orient youth and families to shelter services and expectations.
• Assist youth and families with problem‑solving and conflict resolution.
• Develop shelter agreements and safety plans.
• Coordinate with referral sources and community partners.

3. Team Collaboration & Case Coordination

• Work collaboratively with therapists, case managers, shelter leadership, and community partners.
• Participate in case consultations, staffing meetings, and service planning.
• Assist with implementation of individualized intervention plans.
• Support referrals to community resources and supportive services.
• Assist with discharge planning and aftercare coordination.
• Communicate significant concerns, incidents, and updates to appropriate staff.

4. Support & Educational Groups

• Plan and facilitate support groups, educational groups, and life‑skills programming.
• Encourage youth participation and engagement in shelter programming.
• Create meaningful opportunities for skill development, personal growth, and peer support.

5. Documentation & Record Keeping

• Complete all required…