SAN DIEGO YOUTH SERVICES: WHO WE ARE

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 780,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION OR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION HIRING FOR

Our YHDP program consists of four components and provides rapid rehousing, as well as transitional housing to homeless and at-risk young adults to help them become independent and self-sufficient so that they are able to leave our programs and live on their own.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors required and/or minimum 2-years’ experience working with high-risk adolescents preferably with a basis in Trauma-Informed care, dual diagnosis, and cultural competency.
• Bi-lingual desirable.
• Completed Peer Specialist training is preferred.
• Able to work in a diverse environment and demonstrate cultural competence.
• Must be willing to develop or possess working knowledge of trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment.
• Must be available to work weekends and evenings as assigned by supervisor and/or as needed.
• Willing to successfully complete background check, drug test, and TB test.
• Must have or be willing to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Must have own reliable transportation and must be able to provide transport to youth as needed in the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The ability to bend at the waist, kneel, or crouch to assist youth.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand, to exchange accurate information and make presentations.
• Willing to support youth with the moving process which may require the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Able to observe details at a close range and interpret the information (such as reading), prepare, and review a variety of documents related to activities of the youth and to be able to monitor youth activities.
• Sitting or standing (stationary position) for extended periods of time.
• Traversing extended lengths to move around campuses.
• Potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated approach for transition-aged youth, some with co-occurring disorders, in quality trauma informed youth programs, which adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of San Diego Youth Services as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Provide quality trauma informed services to youth that adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS.
• Establish rapport with transition-aged youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Link youth with resources that are appropriate to their individualized needs.
• Develop Independent Life Plans and provide coaching and resource navigation services in areas relating to independent living skills development, educational and vocational services, health and wellness, crisis intervention, leadership development support and adherence, when applicable.
• Monitor participant progress and maintain accurate records including data entry into approved database and reports.
• Work independently and as a team member to create innovative ways to meet goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts for youth serviced within and across the TAY system of care and assist youth in locating, coordinating, and developing informal and formal resources and networks in the community.