Program Assistant - Bilingual Preferred

SAN DIEGO YOUTH SERVICES • San Diego, CA

12h • $21 - $23

About The Position

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Program Assistant in the Community Assessment Team program to be based in San Diego. This is a full-time & nonexempt position reporting to the Program Manager.

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 840,000 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.

The goal of the CAT program is to prevent East County youth ages 6-18 from entering or continuing in the juvenile justice system by providing prevention and intervention services for identified at-risk youth and their families. The CAT Program provides services in the home, on school campuses and in the community. Program Assistant is responsible for screening possible intakes, providing intake assessments, crisis management, facilitating appropriate referrals, as well as community outreach. In addition, responsible for providing prevention and intervention facilitated groups on a variety of topics, including alcohol and other drug use, teen pregnancy prevention, self-esteem, positive choices, and anger management.

Requirements

• Strong professional oral and written communications skills is a must, as well as ability to work with minimum supervision and frequent interruptions, while maintaining a professional demeanor at all times.
• Able to work with multi-disciplinary team in a very diverse setting that serves people of all backgrounds, culture and sexual orientation.
• Must be computer literate in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Access.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Must be available to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Must have reliable vehicle, relevant auto insurance, a clean driving record, and willing to drive (mileage reimbursement available).
• Employment offer will be subject to clearances, which include fingerprinting, background checks, TB and drug testing.
• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or closely related social-service field.
• Experience with office support and crisis hotline strongly preferred.
• Must be willing to develop or possess working knowledge of trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment; experience working in trauma-informed and dual diagnosis programs preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred.
• Familiar with the Juvenile Justice/Probation and social services systems preferred.
• Some home-based services experience and knowledge of East County resources is a plus.
• Ability to de-escalate and respond to crises appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive trauma-informed services as related to the day-to-day operations of the Community Assessment Team (CAT) program.
• Assist with the general administrative duties including, but not limited to, preparing check requests, data entry, word processing, file and form maintenance, and assistance with data collection and tracking per contract requirements.
• Screen possible intakes, providing intake assessments, crisis management, facilitating appropriate referrals, as well as community outreach.
• Provide prevention and intervention facilitated groups on a variety of topics, including alcohol and other drug use, teen pregnancy prevention, self-esteem, positive choices, and anger management.
• Participate in appropriate agency-wide committees as applicable.
• Attend and actively participate in all required agency and contract trainings and meetings
• Welcome and support volunteers in the organization and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Assist in updating policies and procedures for all above named programs.
• Maintain data collection and contract compliance of records as required.
• Maintain timely distribution of all incoming and internal mail for the above name programs.
• Maintain and order all program office supplies.
• Develop forms to standardized operations, replenish all forms as needed and proofread forms, and correspondence.
• Operate and maintain office equipment—i.e. computer, copy/fax machine, and coordinate office equipment.
• Responsible for filing, copying, scanning and faxing as needed.
• Organize timesheets and mileage for the above named programs.
• Create flyers for trainings, special events, and activities for the above name programs.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency policies, applicable regulations and law, including HIPAA.
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with staff and volunteers within the program, the center, the agency, and the community.
• Identify eligible families and children residing or receiving schooling within the East Region through outreach to community-based organizations, government agencies, schools, street outreach including other outreach methods as identified during the program period.
• Maintain warm, welcoming office grounds and facilities.
• Assist in planning, coordination, development, monitoring, and evaluation of services for youth and family.
• Provide initial screening, assessment, short-term crisis intervention services and referrals.
• Maintain current knowledge of resources and treatment providers within the community to support youth and family needs especially regarding substance abuse treatment programs.
• Provide public insurance eligibility screening referrals for families who are uninsured and may be eligible for coverage.
• Facilitate trauma informed and strength-based groups on a variety of topics including substance abuse prevention and tobacco use prevention and/or cessation in various settings, such as community-based organizations, schools, and law enforcement facilities.
• Maintain program’s space and vehicle cleanliness and safety. Report and coordinate any necessary facility or equipment repairs with Program Manager as needed. With other staff, participate in the maintenance of the day-to-day cleanliness and order of the physical facility and grounds.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution.
• SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees