Full-Time Youth Engagement Specialist

Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc • Washington, DC

3d

About The Position

The SBY Youth Engagement Specialists provide comprehensive services to adolescents and young adults impacted by homelessness and involved in street activities (gangs, violence, drug use/sale and survival sex). Services provided by the youth engagement specialists include, assistance in case management tasks, outreach, crisis intervention, daily living services (food, shower, respite), triage counseling, recreational activities, support groups and life skills education classes and activities. The youth engagement specialist coordinates with the Drop-In Center director, case manager and other supporting programs and local agencies to provide short and long term care necessary to meet the wide range of needs related to homeless and disconnected youth.

Requirements

• minimum of 2 year experience working in a social services setting, OR Personal experience with street survival activities (homelessness, gangs, drug economy, sex industry) with three years separation from involvement in these activities. Deep understanding of the relationship between personal experience and professional standards.
• Understanding of harm reduction philosophy , trauma-informed provision of services and positive youth development strategies;
• Genuine interest in working with disenfranchised youth and young adults;
• Flexible schedule - position will require some weekend and evening hours;
• Strong communication and organization skills;
• Dynamic energy, able to multi-task and negotiate multiple demands on attention;
• Ability to translate positive youth development techniques into practice;
• Ability to deal with a multicultural and diverse setting;
• Basic understanding of computer and data base systems for managing case records;
• Ability to complete FBI Background check, Police Clearance, Child Protection Clearance, and Driving Clearance

Nice To Haves

• minimum of Associates degree in social services or a related field is desirable; BSW or similar degree is preferred
• Bilingual skills (English and Spanish) are a plus;
• Experience working with LGBTQ youth is a plus;

Responsibilities

• Facilitate daily activities in the Drop-In Center and provide concrete support to clients, including preparation and/or service of food, access to shower and laundry facilities, etc.
• Work in collaboration with other SBY Drop In Center staff to coordinate supportive services for assigned clients
• Intake and orientation for individuals seeking assistance
• Crisis intervention
• Engagement of youth into program structure, using a trauma-informed, harm reduction philosophy and the principles of positive youth development
• Provide wellness and recreational engagement activities, as assigned
• Facilitate life skills education activities and classes, as assigned
• Perform reparative interventions as part of a harm reduction approach
• Facilitate access to daily living needs (food, clothes, hygiene supplies, space to rest)
• Providing advocacy and information to homeless youth in accessing resources
• Mediation of client conflicts
• Street outreach to homeless and street involved young people, as assigned
• Escort youth to appropriate services and provide transportation as part of case plan, as assigned
• Maintain routine administrative responsibilities to include data entry, the preparation of correspondence, maintaining files, mail, email, and telephone.
• Participate in staff trainings, staff meetings and staff group process workshops.
• Participate in weekly supervision and case conferencing

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree