Youth Care Specialist II

Los Angeles LGBT Center•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$27 - $33

About The Position

The Youth Care Specialist provides supportive services to youth who are currently or formerly experiencing homelessness, including direct oversight and supervision of drop-in and interim and permanent supportive housing programs. Services include assistance with basic needs, street outreach, employment and education support, housing navigation, individualized case management, crisis intervention, behavioral support, transportation, and other services addressing the needs of drop-in, residential, and community members. The role serves a population with high rates of mental health, health, and substance-related issues. The Youth Center serves people up to age 24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It provides services in an LGBTQ+ safe and affirming environment and helps youth transition from homelessness to housing. Services include meals, clothing, support groups, education and employment programs, outreach, case management, counseling, crisis shelter, transitional living, and supportive apartments. The position works under the Senior Program Manager, Youth Housing, and provides leadership in service delivery, supports program oversight and compliance, develops individualized plans of care, and collaborates with youth, service providers, Center departments, and outside organizations. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The position is non-exempt and union-represented. A shift differential of $2.00 per hour applies to hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The probationary period is 90 days.

Requirements

Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues relevant to LGBTQ people.
Passion for the Center’s work and mission to improve the lives of LGBTQ people.
Ability to develop and coordinate comprehensive, wraparound plans of care and document, track, and evaluate outcomes.
Knowledge of issues affecting LGBTQ youth and experience working with high-risk youth.
At least 6 years of related experience working with youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability, foster youth, people with mental illness, low-income individuals, or people experiencing homelessness, or a master’s degree in Social Work, Social Services, Public Health, or a related field.
At least 5 years of case management experience or similar experience working with the target population.
Experience with substance abuse or mental health case management and crisis intervention.
HMIS experience.
Ability to describe accepted treatment models for people experiencing homelessness, including their philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes.
Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
Knowledge or experience with case management techniques, including critical time intervention, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and motivational interviewing.
Ability to work with a high-acuity population and de-escalate threatening or volatile situations.
Ability to perform under emotional stress and conflict, including when working with uncooperative clients.
Ability to apply professional boundaries and ethics at work.
Ability to build rapport and trust with youth and demonstrate active, reflective listening.
Knowledge of Positive Youth Development principles and ability to engage youth and facilitate workshops.
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, potentially including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Reliable transportation and ability to be insured.
Ability to pass fingerprint clearance and background checks, including criminal history, personal references, and employment and education verification.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds in a multicultural environment.

Nice To Haves

Specific experience working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender youth and/or runaway youth.
Bilingual skills; English and Spanish fluency preferred, and American Sign Language fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop comprehensive, wraparound plans of care to assess and address youth’s complex needs, and document, track, and evaluate outcomes.
Provide leadership and promote high-quality program service delivery under the Senior Program Manager’s supervision.
Assist the Program Manager with program oversight, compliance, and development.
Support Youth Care Specialists who need ad hoc case conferencing.
Maintain a welcoming onsite presence for drop-in members and residents by answering questions, providing information, and facilitating engagement.
Provide homelessness prevention and support services, including street outreach, employment preparation and placement, education, case management, housing navigation, housing location and retention, and related services.
Follow care goals and department protocols to support member and resident safety and provide crisis intervention and de-escalation.
Provide direct supervision, assistance with basic needs, and support for day-to-day program operations.
Conduct intake, CES assessments, and individualized needs assessments, and work with youth on service and housing stability plans addressing barriers to services, housing, and healthcare.
Serve as the primary point of contact and collaborate with service providers to obtain, stabilize, and maintain housing.
Apply housing-first, harm-reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
Collaborate with Center departments and external organizations on youth events, resources, and development opportunities.
Plan and facilitate programs, events, and activities using a Positive Youth Development framework.
Conduct outreach and engagement.
Complete operational and administrative tasks, including compiling data and statistics, preparing reports, and drafting correspondence.
Organize and maintain program files and materials through data entry and database maintenance.
Assist with special projects as directed by management.
Perform other duties as assigned.