Youth Intervention Specialist; YIS

Position: Youth Intervention Specialist (YIS)
EOE Statement
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Description

Under the supervision and direction of the Program Manager, the YIS will work with youth and families who are identified through local and community partners that need supportive services. Services and activities provided include mentoring, group facilitation, individual counseling, case management, mediation, safety assessment, advocacy, resource brokering, home visits, job readiness and employment assistance, planning and participating in community events and community service activities, and developing partnerships with community resources.

Individual and group sessions include but not limited to, living skills, healthy relationships, problem solving, cultural significance, coping with anger, and conflict resolution.

• Identify, assess and work with at-risk youth in assigned middle schools, high schools, and target communities.
• Engage youth and their families with relevant and culturally-sensitive resources.
• Develop a working relationship with identified school personnel, law enforcement, community-based organizations, and civic-minded individuals for the purpose of serving gang-impacted youth and families.
• Plan and conducts group and individual counseling sessions targeting the needs of the youth.
• Assess and develop case management plans collaboratively with supervisor, school staff, client, and parents/guardians.
• Provides case management to link clients to various resources and coordinate services with other providers.
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation to clients and families as needed.
• Coordinate, encourage participation in, and attend pro-social activities in schools and community with targeted youth and families.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate regular support groups.
• Maintains a caseload of clientele for case management and provide active and comprehensive case management services ensuring all area needs are attended to, including educational, mental health, substance use, criminal justice, social-emotional, physical, familial, financial, employment, etc.
• Works collaboratively with Champions staff, school personnel, and referring parties and service providers.
• Participates in staff meetings, to address client needs, program issues, and assist in the integration of services for clientele.
• Maintains program data entry and attendance tracking.
• Model positive decision-making skills and problem-solving behaviors.
• Participates in applicable meetings, trainings, conferences, etc. as required both internally and externally.
• Remains culturally humble and respectful in all client and staff interactions.
• Adheres to all client confidentiality requirements and standards, including updates of the shared Release of Information (ROI) to ensure that information is current and accurate.
• Comfortable performing various projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities.
• Ability to get along with diverse personalities, understanding, mature, and flexible.
• Possess strong judgment, problem-solving and reasoning abilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Ability to have a flexible work schedule that includes evenings and weekend work

Position Requirements

• Experience:
  
  Minimum two years' experience working with gang-impacted youth in school, juvenile justice, mental health, job readiness, or mentorship program. Must demonstrate knowledge of gang culture.
• Education:
  
  high school diploma or equivalent.
• Priority will be given to applicants with 1-2 years of work experience in a school or treatment setting with clients with substance use, mental health, and criminal justice system involvement. Note:
  Personal lived experience may contribute to these years of experience. Examples of work experience that may count include but are not limited to: working in schools, mentoring programs, working in juvenile detention facilities, working in other peer-to-peer recovery programs or other psycho educational program.
• Must have valid California Class C Driver's License; maintain a good safety record (verified by DMV at hire and periodically) and a reliable vehicle; proof of comprehensive auto insurance if driving personal vehicle. Must be able to drive their own vehicle for business purposes to other program locations in Kings and Tulare County.
• Must be drug tested prior to hire, with drug test results negative for illegal drug use and marijuana.
• Must pass background check (Live Scan Fingerprint - MANDATORY).
• Must have TB clearance within 60 days prior to hire (MANDATORY).
• First Aid and CPR certifications obtained within 30 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.
• Must be willing to comply with various COVID prevention policies required by school districts, including vaccinations, face covering, etc.
• Ability to understand and interpret information,…