Youth Engagement Specialist I - Huliau Program
About The Position
The Huliau Youth Engagement Specialist uses a strength-based, nonjudgmental approach to help young people develop independent and transitional living skills. The specialist offers positive reinforcement and supports youth with decision-making and problem-solving, using non-punitive strategies when they experience natural consequences. Under the guidance of the Huliau Program Manager and Leadership Team, the specialist works with opportunity youth facing challenges that may include houselessness, substance use, mental health issues, criminal involvement, and relationship conflicts. The role may involve working independently with individuals and groups while monitoring for crises or conflicts. The specialist helps create a safe, welcoming, trauma-informed environment in Lydia House’s on-site living programs and Engagement Center, builds relationships, mentors young adults, addresses social-emotional needs, manages conflicts, and supports adherence to program guidelines. The role includes assisting youth in accessing services, participating in activities, and developing independent living skills, as well as supporting facility operations, documentation, and staff administration. This is a full-time, non-exempt position reporting to the Manager, Huliau Program. It covers swing shifts, with 8-hour shifts scheduled between 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. on weekdays, and weekend coverage from Saturday at 8:00 a.m. to Monday at 7:30 a.m. Shift times depend on program and youth needs. Holiday, evening, and weekend hours are required as needed. Travel may be required for trainings and workshops.
Requirements
- Two-year degree related to social services or equivalent life and work experience.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
- Ability to perform frontline work in varied settings, including schools, public spaces, offices, and distressed communities.
- Ability to work holiday, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
- Ability to travel for trainings and workshops, potentially to other Hawaiian Islands, the continent, and other locations.
- Demonstrate the stated competencies: compassion, empathy, and kindness; continuous learning; commitment to excellence; courage; sound judgment about time, place, people, and tools; and responsibility and accountability.
- Demonstrate organizational competencies including cultural respect and alignment with Queen Liliuokalani’s legacy, continuous learning, effective communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, innovation, relationship-building and trust, teamwork, and capacity-building.
Nice To Haves
- Four-year degree.
- Lived experience reflective of the community served; the organization strives for representative diversity among staff.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Huliau Program Manager, Huliau Shift Leaders, Clinical Director, Case Managers, and Executive Director to align the role with Lydia House’s purpose.
- Promote a welcoming, trauma-informed environment.
- Independently lead youth engagement activities that support youth development.
- Facilitate independent living skills individually and in groups.
- Facilitate groups in collaboration with other Lydia House staff.
- Support activities that maintain a safe and positive environment for youth at the Center.
- Prepare Lydia House for daily operations, including activity materials, facility organization, clothing closet, and food accessibility.
- Contribute to facility cleanliness, including sanitizing surfaces and washing blankets, sheets, towels, and other materials.
- Support Leads and other team members with tasks for Lydia House activities.
- Conduct prearranged room checks to support youth in following independent living skills and maintaining clean rooms.
- Help youth navigate Lydia House services and access requested services or other special needs.
- Assist youth participating in Lydia House activities and accompany youth to outside appointments when requested by Leads.
- Elevate youth voices and share youth feedback with the Lydia House team.
- Observe, collect, communicate, and report daily events and circumstances involving youth in the data management system.
- Support staff administrative needs and participate in data collection, entry, and reporting, including written narratives.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and workshops.
- Serve on internal and external committees to support Lydia House outcomes.
- Address immediate basic needs, including social-emotional support, mentorship, and supportive activities.
- Support alignment with rules established in the Aloha Agreement.
- Work with on-premises security and the manager on call to respond to urgent needs.
- Monitor and deescalate conflicts.
- Accept new assignments, help team members, learn new skills, and work to improve team and organizational results.
- Attend relevant trainings and workshops that support Lydia House outcomes.
- Perform other duties as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
