Community Support Specialist: Youth Mentor

Parenting With Intent•Portland, OR

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Community Support Specialists provide relationship-based, client-centered services to youth and families involved in our programs. These youth and families are primarily Child Welfare involved. This is a direct service position that occurs primarily in the community, and workers provide supportive services that can include relationship building, system navigation, advocacy, resource connection, and skills training (among other things). PWI utilizes Trauma-Informed Care and strengths-based perspectives and expects all staff to work towards meeting the cultural needs of our participants.

Requirements

A Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree is preferred and/ or professional experience that is relevant to the services we provide and the populations we serve
Must have skill and capacity in case management to include meeting contract and program expectations on initiating new cases, timely case note practice, active correspondence with community partners, meeting regular weekly and monthly deadlines, and regular attendance and participation at case-related meetings such as Court hearings, IEP meetings, etc.
2 years experience in Case Management and in working directly with youth and families, particularly those who have experienced oppression and are members of marginalized communities
Strong engagement skills are essential in this position
Has high integrity in their work ethic and can prioritize the needs of the youth and families they serve
Must be available to work evenings and weekends often (based on the needs of the youth and families)
Availability and skill set required to respond to and/or manage crisis involving youth and families
Ability to utilize de-escalation techniques when necessary
Competency in written and verbal communication
Competency in Cell phones, Email, basic word processing, and site navigation.
Must be timely and responsive to team members and clients in regular correspondence regarding work-related matters.
Must have access to a safe, working, insured vehicle, a clean driving record, and a valid driver’s license
The bulk of the work in the position is in the community, working with youth and families, and CSS staff often drive throughout the tri-county area each day that they work.
Must have a working cell phone with texting capability

Nice To Haves

Minimum two years experience in the area of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) or high risk youth.
Prior experience engaging youth who face multiple barriers, preferably around contexts associated with exploitation
Has completed trainings around Human Trafficking/CSEC or similar training

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing services and case management to a caseload of approximately 10 participants.
Participate in monthly staff meetings, individual supervisions, and required trainings
Respond to emails and all work-related communications in a timely manner
Carries a caseload of approximately 10 cases
Understand the unique needs of each youth and develop a service plan that aims to meet their specific needs.
Understand Child Welfare expectations and create collaborative service plans
Have the ability to understand Youth and Family needs and connect to appropriate community resources when needed
Provide timely and professional documentation
Participate in and contribute to team meetings and court hearings
Attend all mandatory PWI meetings (staff meeting, supervision, etc)