Youth Engagement Specialist

Job Description

Thank you for your interest in the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) role at ModusBPCM
.

Classification: Full-time, In-Person, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $25.00 to $28.17 per hour

About MISSSEY

MISSSEY works to prevent girls and gender-expansive youth from ever entering circumstances of sexual exploitation and violence. We also support young people who are experiencing exploitation to exit. Once they’ve exited, we partner with them so that they may avoid re‑entering sexually exploitative circumstances and live free of harmful transactional relationships. As an organization, we value healing, youth voice, integrity, and relationships.

Our service model is focused on healing through trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered, and youth‑focused approaches. We recognize the crucial voices of survivors in facilitating healing in victims of commercial sexual exploitation and the value of young people empowering other young people. Our work with youth is a partnership, helping them transition from victim to survivor to leader, encouraging their long‑term stability and success in whatever path they choose.

MISSSEY believes that with the right opportunities and support, youth can overcome the circumstances of their exploitation and thrive.

For more information about MISSSEY, please go to our website ssey.org.

The Youth Engagement Specialist (Y.E.S.) plays an important role in identifying and engaging with youth that are involved in the Alameda County Social Services Agency’s Children and Family Services, and who are vulnerable to or have experienced commercial sexual exploitation.

This is an entry‑level position offering both short‑ and long‑term growth within the organization. Under the supervision of the Integrated Services Manager (ISM), the Youth Engagement Specialist is responsible for prevention, intervention and stabilization work with youth in the child welfare system, making referrals to MISSSEY case management as needed. YES staff will collaborate across systems, participate in multi‑disciplinary team meetings, and advocate for the needs of exploited young people as part of a service delivery team.

YES staff works within the limitations of the organization’s resources and in compliance with grants, contracts, and agency policies and procedures. We are looking for a candidate who will take initiative and be able to build rapport with highly at‑risk and exploited youth; comfortable navigating systems; reliable and efficient; committed to the self‑determination of marginalized young people; able to work collegially with colleagues and collaboratively with members of the MISSSEY team;

and steadfast in their goal of delivering services with impact.

• Have a minimum of 1‑year experience working with systems involved youth
• Have solid experience working with Black girls and other youth of color who have experienced homelessness, interpersonal violence, trafficking, and abuse
• Have a thorough understanding of youth development, advocacy, and crisis intervention
• Be a continual learner deeply invested in women and girls
• Have experience building relationships with community partners and coordinating services that engage youth and support them to thrive
• Have an understanding of crisis intervention, de‑escalation, restorative practices, interpersonal relationship and resiliency building, and harm reduction theory and practice
• Have the ability to co‑create a strong, reflective, highly productive, and caring culture

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Services (70%)

• Engage and build rapport with young people in the Alameda County SSA at various locations including the Alameda County Assessment Center, STRTP (Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program) Placements, Resource Family Placements and in the community.
• Assess participant’s vulnerability to or experience with commercial sexual exploitation
• Facilitate 1‑on‑1 prevention sessions with youth identified as highly vulnerable to exploitation
• Provide support and service linkages to youth, including referrals to MISSSEY transformation coaching services
• Provide follow‑up sessions for identified youth who…