COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA

Job Description: Youth Engagement Specialist (YES)

As our direct care staff work with youth that are 18-24 years old, we require that applicants are at least 25 years old.

Become a part of an exciting and dynamic organization that makes a difference in the lives of youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking ages 18-24 years old. Covenant House California (CHC) is a non-profit agency whose mission is to serve youth experiencing homelessness with absolute respect and unconditional love.

Covenant House California opened a Transitional Housing Program in Santa Clara in June of 2021. We are seeking to hire qualified youth engagement specialists (YES), to be on our residential team at our transitional living program. We are looking for applicants that have experience working with youth that have experienced homelessness, who have traumatic histories, identify as LGBTQ, are gender non-conforming and/or who often face multiple issues and have complex needs. This person will have knowledge and/or experience working with youth development programs, utilizing a harm reduction framework, using trauma informed practices and will value working with a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe inclusive environment for all. Covenant House California offers an excellent benefits package, (effective date of hire), including medical, vision, dental, an EAP program, pension, tax deferred annuity and a generous vacation package.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Youth Engagement Specialists (YES) are an essential and core position on our multidisciplinary team. All CHC staff work together to facilitate safety and comprehensive programming for youth in our housing programs. Youth Engagement Specialists facilitate day to day operations and duties by adhering to our Mission Statement, Five Principals, Code of Conduct and the policies and procedures of Covenant House. Youth Engagement Specialists provide essential supervision and support, including triage of door and phones, assessing safety, preventing and managing crises, upholding programmatic policy and procedure, documentation, light cleaning and building maintenance, as well as being a positive adult role model that relentlessly engages with our youth. Must want to work in a diverse and inclusive environment.

SCHEDULE: Per-Diem (max 24 hrs per week)

SALARY RANGE: $25.37 Hourly

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  1. Provide supervision of the program, including oversight and maintenance of the various areas of the facility.
  2. Safety awareness of situations and spaces.
  3. Perform day to day operations and duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  4. Provide welcoming, engaging and professional phone and door coverage to include answering and responding to incoming crisis, business information and resource and referral inquiries.
  5. Crisis prevention and intervention while adhering to agency protocol for responding, reporting and seeking support.
  6. Build rapport with youth and act as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining and facilitating healthy boundaries.
  7. Be a proactive and involved team member and encourage youth to participate in activities.
  8. Direct supervision of the youth in the program on-site, on outings in community, and during meetings and appointments in the community.
  9. Develop knowledge of the current community resources available to clients.
  10. Teach basic life skills such as personal hygiene, household cleaning, and interpersonal interactions.
  11. Lead groups and workshops on skill building as assigned.
  12. Maintain and engage in consistent communication with the multidisciplinary team by preparing shift notes and logs, as well as creating critical incident reports.
  13. Attend trainings, meetings and supervision as assigned.
  14. Function as back-up coverage, as assigned.
  15. Work directly with youth doing triage (i.e., field questions, ask what clients need, clarify the problem, etc.)
  16. Inspect common areas of the housing program for cleanliness on a daily basis.
  17. Function as Person in Charge (PIC), as designated.
  18. Be timely and present at all scheduled meetings, trainings and shifts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field preferred, relevant working experience will be accepted in lieu of diploma.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience working with youth ages 18-24.

SKILLS: Must have strong verbal and written communication skills and strong organizational skills. Must be computer literate (Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.) Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, clients, vendors and the public.

TRANSPORTATION: Must have a valid CA driver’s license, good driving record and reliable transportation.

May need to transport clients/staff if required using agency transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS: General business/office environment. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion, bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time. Some weekend/holiday work may be required.

KNOWLEDGE: Adolescent Development, Crisis Intervention, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and CPR & FIRST AID.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES: N/A

EQUIPMENT USED: Computers (including email), telephone, and fax.

 

Covenant House California does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Covenant House California is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.