Youth Support Specialist

Position: Youth Support Specialist - 2:30p-10:30p - Full Time

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, collective housing, and host homes housing for youth and young families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. We strive to do that in a safe and nurturing environment through a social justice lens. Avenues seeks to partner with youth and young families while they define their experiences, life dreams and future. Our work takes into account historical trauma, systems of oppression, and intersectionality while being grounded in the power of resiliency, healing, and community.

PROGRAM

INFORMATION

Minneapolis Avenues is Avenues’ original and oldest program. Located in North Minneapolis, this program provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and intensive supportive services for 20 youth at a time, ages 18 to 24. Annually, the program supports 170 to 190 young people.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Overview

Utilizing the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work, the Youth Support Specialist plays a crucial role in creating a positive community environment that helps youth heal from trauma and prepare for stable housing. This position requires a balance of practical support and emotional intelligence to foster youth development and independence.

Youth Engagement and Support

• Build genuine professional relationships with youth to meet their basic needs in an engaging and safe environment.
• Provide one-on-one mentoring and guidance, including support for homework and meal preparation.
• Coach youth on Independent Living Skills, helping them establish routines for success in housing, school, work, and relationships.
• Role model positive social interactions and involve youth in constructive conflict resolution opportunities.
• Offer proactive intervention to de-escalate conflicts between youth.
• Assist in providing youth their medications and recording all medications taken as directed by pharmacist/medical provider

Facility Management

• Manage on-site supervision of the House, including answering phones and doors, completing room checks, and following shift checklists.
• Engage youth in completing chores to foster responsibility and community participation.
• Provide crisis counseling and appropriate referrals to callers in need.

Communication and Documentation

• Complete required documentation accurately and promptly.
• Communicate effectively with staff on shared goals and objectives, including comprehensive end-of-shift updates.
• Collaborate with the team to ensure consistent application of the 9 Evidence-Based Guiding Principles to Help Youth Overcome Homelessness.
• Maintain and regularly check work email account, ensuring proper setup including Multi-Factor Authentication, both while on-site and when working remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience

• BA/BS in social work, human services, education, or related field; three-to-five years of related experience and/or training OR Equivalent combination of education, lived experience, work experience, and training
• Must be at least 24 years of age

Skills & Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• High level of personal and professional integrity, including ability to protect and maintain confidentiality
• Desire to continuously learn for personal and professional growth
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing empathetic support.
• Commitment to social justice principles and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills to address various challenges youth may face.

Technical Proficiency

• Ability to set up and manage work email accounts, including configuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Comfortable accessing work email both on-site and remotely from home
• Basic troubleshooting skills for common email and account access issues

BACKGROUND CHECK

All Avenues For Youth employees must pass a background check, including a MN Department of Human Services background study.

PHYSICA…