Housing Support Specialist, Awake Overnight (Lighthouse)

Orangewood Foundation•Santa Ana, CA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Orangewood Foundation, established in 1981, is dedicated to empowering young people in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or who have been affected by trafficking. The foundation offers programs and services in Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support, with a vision for every young person in Orange County to thrive. Orangewood Foundation is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, and Competitive Compensation. Recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, the foundation fosters a positive and supportive workplace culture guided by values of Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy. This full-time, hourly, non-exempt position is for an Awake Overnight Housing Support Specialist at the Lighthouse program. The role involves providing overnight supervision and support in a bridge home for up to ten residents, primarily survivors of human trafficking who are Transitional Age Youth (TAY). The position is crucial for maintaining a safe, stable, and supportive environment by responding to resident needs and crises, enforcing house guidelines, and potentially involving cross-site training and coverage. Applicants should be aware of the potential for high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and vicarious trauma, emphasizing the importance of self-care and seeking support.

Requirements

Requires a High School diploma, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
2+ years in the field of Human Services, Psychology, Social Work or a related field.
Minimum of 1–2 years of experience working with youth, preferably transition-age youth (TAY), in a residential, recovery, behavioral health, or supportive housing setting.
Experience working sensitively with individuals impacted by violence, using trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing techniques.
Comfortability in collaborating with survivors, as well as discussing power differentials and their influence on relationships.
Previous experience in applying harm reduction framework and stages of change model to elicit behavior change.
Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to support young adults in their recovery and personal development.
Ability to remain calm and make sound and timely decisions under pressure, particularly when managing youth crises.
Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate ethical decision-making in all aspects of the role.
Ability to think critically and strategically, identifying opportunities and challenges and developing solutions to support youth success.
Understand and passionately support Orangewood Foundation’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Able to demonstrate a high level of skill with the following qualities: Resourceful, Dependable, Initiative, Accountable, Solution Oriented, Self-directed, Adaptable, Open to feedback, Sound judgement, Calm under pressure.
Demonstrate strong communication and teamwork skills, adhering to the Foundation's operating principles and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Ensure a welcoming environment that supports and respects all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Approach projects, activities, and job functions with flexibility and a positive attitude, displaying the essential attitudes required for success in this role.
Model professionalism, setting a high standard for staff and program participants.
Effectively manage multiple responsibilities and maintain organization.
Position will require use of personal vehicle.
Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
Position requires DMV clearance.
Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with CSEC (commercially sexually exploited children) is highly preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain a safe, orderly, and healing centered environment throughout the night.
Conduct and document routine wellness checks, when appropriate, to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
Perform nightly household tasks to uphold hygiene and cleanliness in shared living spaces.
Provide evening support to residents, including assistance with routines, meal preparation, and daily living skills.
Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based guidance to help residents adapt to the home and adhere to program expectations.
Support residents in progressing toward recovery goals established in collaboration with their Care Coordinator.
Use calm, clear communication and de-escalation techniques in crisis situations; mediate interpersonal issues among residents when needed.
Collaborate with the Housing Coordinator and Program Supervisor to understand residents' individual needs, histories, and goals.
Accurately complete daily progress notes, special incident reports, and log updates to track resident activity and significant events.
Uphold all program policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and accountability within the home.