Youth Engagement Specialist Part- Time Weekend Overnight Shift (11 PM-7:30 AM)

COVENANT HOUSE NEW ORLEANS•New Orleans, LA

9d•$17 - $0

About The Position

Covenant House New Orleans (CHNO) provides shelter, support, and opportunities to youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Guided by trauma-informed care and respect for each young person’s dignity, the organization helps youth build pathways toward stability and independence. The Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) creates a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for youth experiencing homelessness. The role builds trusting relationships, promotes life skills, supports individualized service plans, and helps youth access resources to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. The YES works with youth, staff, and community partners to provide trauma-informed support and foster personal growth, resilience, and independence. This is a part-time weekend overnight position. The employee must be regularly available every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM. Additional weekday availability is welcomed. Work takes place in residential and community-based settings and may include local travel in the Greater New Orleans area. The position may involve challenging situations and non-traditional hours.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid driver's license.
At least one year of experience working with youth, in human services, residential programs, homelessness services, education, behavioral health, or a related field.
Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts as needed.
Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
Trauma-informed and youth-centered approach, effective communication and active listening, crisis intervention and de-escalation, relationship building, cultural humility and inclusiveness, time management and organization, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and professional documentation skills.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and respond quickly in emergency situations.
Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Education, Counseling, or a related field.
Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, trauma, mental health challenges, or system involvement.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and youth development practices.
Experience using HMIS, ETO, or similar case management software.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Build positive, trusting relationships with youth through consistent, respectful, and supportive interactions.
Use trauma-informed practices and create a safe, welcoming environment that promotes stability and belonging.
Encourage participation in educational, recreational, and life skills activities, and model professional communication and respectful behavior.
Monitor youth activities and whereabouts to help maintain a safe environment.
Support healthy personal care and hygiene routines, independent living skills, and completion of household responsibilities and shared living expectations.
Reinforce accountability and responsibility through positive coaching and support.
Support case managers in monitoring youth progress toward individualized goals.
Help youth access housing, education, employment, healthcare, mental health, and other services.
Help youth identify strengths, set goals, and take steps toward self-sufficiency while respecting their choices and self-determination.
Connect youth with internal and community-based resources and assist with service referrals.
Coach youth in life skills, including financial literacy, job readiness, and self-care, and support equitable, culturally responsive access to services.
Respond to crises using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed approaches; support youth safety during emotional, behavioral, or situational crises.
Help address basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and emotional support.
Complete accurate, timely documentation; maintain case notes and activity records in ETO, HMIS, and other designated systems; document incidents and interventions; and maintain confidentiality.
Collaborate with case managers, residential staff, mental health professionals, and community partners.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and organizational events; contribute to a positive team culture and follow agency policies and procedures.
Follow safety, emergency response, and confidentiality protocols; respond appropriately to medical emergencies, behavioral crises, evacuations, and other urgent situations.
Promptly report incidents, concerns, and safety risks, and help maintain a secure, supportive environment.
Participate in ongoing training and maintain professional growth and awareness of best practices for serving vulnerable youth populations.