Youth Engagement Specialist - Various Shifts Available

Covenant House California•Oakland, CA

20h

About The Position

Covenant House California (CHC) is a nonprofit providing sanctuary and support to youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness. At its Oakland flagship location, CHC provides a continuum of housing and support services. Youth Engagement Specialists are essential members of the residential team, supporting youth who may have experienced homelessness, human trafficking, or trauma, and youth who identify as LGBTQ+ or are gender non-conforming and may have complex needs. The role uses strengths-based, harm-reduction, and trauma-informed approaches and works as part of a multidisciplinary team to foster a safe, inclusive environment. Youth Engagement Specialists support the day-to-day operation of housing programs, provide direct supervision and support to youth, respond to crises, and uphold program policies and procedures. Duties also include triaging door and phone inquiries, documenting shift activity, maintaining facility safety and cleanliness, and serving as a positive adult role model. Overnight shifts are awake and require completion of an overnight checklist to prepare the facility for the next day. The position is based in a general business, office, and shelter environment. Staff may occasionally work outdoors in varying weather and encounter moderate to loud noise. The role may require lifting up to 40 pounds, bending, and sitting or standing for prolonged periods. Since CHC operates 24/7, staff must work one weekend day; holiday work may also be required. The listed pay rate is $23.96 per hour. Available schedules are Sunday–Thursday or Tuesday–Saturday, with shifts of 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Minimum of 1–2 years of experience working with youth ages 18–24.
Well organized, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
Computer literacy, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and similar programs.
Ability to work independently as a self-starter and collaboratively with staff, youth, vendors, and the community.
Valid California driver’s license and good driving record.
May need to transport clients or staff using agency transportation.
Must work one weekend day; holiday work may be required.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally, bend, and sit and stand for prolonged periods.
Must have or be willing to obtain training and knowledge in adolescent development, crisis intervention, multicultural awareness, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, CPR, and first aid.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field, or equivalent experience in a residential program.
Knowledge or experience using strengths-based and harm-reduction frameworks and trauma-informed practices.
Experience supporting youth who have experienced homelessness, human trafficking, or trauma, and youth who identify as LGBTQ+ or are gender non-conforming.

Responsibilities

Build rapport with youth and serve as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining healthy boundaries.
Triage youth needs by fielding questions, inquiring about needs, and clarifying concerns.
Supervise youth on-site, on outings, and during community meetings and appointments.
Provide welcoming and professional phone and door coverage, responding to crisis, business information, resource, and referral inquiries.
Prevent and intervene in crises in accordance with agency protocols for response, reporting, and seeking support.
Teach basic life skills, including personal hygiene, household cleaning, and interpersonal interactions, in a compassionate manner.
Participate proactively as a team member and encourage youth to participate in activities.
Lead skill-building and healthy-choice groups and workshops.
Develop knowledge of community resources available to youth.
Inspect housing-program common areas daily for cleanliness.
Communicate with the multidisciplinary team through clear shift notes, logs, and critical incident reports.
Maintain awareness of safety in situations and spaces.
Attend assigned trainings, meetings, and supervision check-ins, and be timely and present for scheduled commitments.
Carry out daily program operations in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Provide program supervision, including oversight and maintenance of facility areas.
Serve as Person in Charge (PIC) when designated.
As needed, collaborate with the outreach team to add new youth referrals to the shelter waitlist and keep the waitlist current, including documenting efforts to locate and support youth onsite, by phone or email, and through assigned community outreach.
On awake overnight shifts, complete the overnight checklist to prepare the facility for the next day.