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. 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-Oakland is seeking to hire qualified youth engagement specialists (YES), to be on our residential team at our crisis shelter and 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, 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 crisis shelter and transitional living program. YES’s 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.
Youth Engagement Specialists who work overnight shifts must remain awake and staff must complete overnight checklist to ensure facility is prepared for next day.
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, non exempt, 40 hours per week
PAY RATE: $21.96 / hour

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred, but relevant life and/or work experience will be considered in lieu of diplomas.
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: A valid CA driver’s license, and good driving record highly preferred.
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. As we are open 24/7, Staff are required to work one weekend day, and holiday work may be required.
KNOWLEDGE: Adolescent Development, Crisis Intervention, Multi-Cultural Awareness, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and CPR & FIRST AID.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide supervision of the shelter, including oversight and maintenance of the various areas of the facility.
2. Conduct bag and pocket checks, and have youth walk through the metal detector or use a metal detector wand, each time youth enter the building. Store and lock up safety weapons and confiscate any prohibited items.
3. Conduct wellness checks in youth bedrooms on assigned schedule during each shift.
4. Safety awareness of situations and spaces.
5. Perform day to day operations and duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
6. Provide welcoming, engaging and professional phone and door coverage to include answering and responding to incoming crisis, business information and resource and referral inquiries.
7. Crisis prevention and intervention while adhering to agency protocol for responding, reporting and seeking support.
8. Build rapport with clients and act as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining and facilitating healthy boundaries.
9. Be a proactive and involved team member and encourage youth to participate in activities.
10. Direct supervision of the youth in the program on-site, on outings in community, and during meetings and appointments in the community.
11. Develop knowledge of the current community resources available to clients.
12. Teach basic life skills such as personal hygiene, household cleaning, and interpersonal interactions.
13. Lead a group or activity for the youth, at a minimum of once a month.
14. Maintain and engage in consistent communication with the multidisciplinary team by preparing shift notes and logs, as well as creating critical incident reports.
15. Enter engagement notes in our internal database, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
16. Check email at the beginning of every shift, to review previous shift notes, important updates and incidents that took place.
17. Attend trainings, meetings and supervision as assigned.
18. Function as back-up coverage, as assigned.
19. Work directly with clients doing triage (i.e., field questions, ask what clients need, clarify the problem, etc.)
20. Supervise clients in completion of chores, if applicable.
21. Inspect common areas of the shelter for cleanliness on a daily basis.
22. Function as Person in Charge (PIC), as designated.
23. Be timely and present at all scheduled meetings, training sessions and shifts.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES: N/A

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