Youth Engagement Specialist

Youth ERA • OR, OR

15h • $16 - $18 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) supports youth connection and community visibility efforts for youth ages 14–25 in Marion & Polk Counties, including youth experiencing houselessness or housing instability. This role centers outreach, relationship-building, and community presence to increase youth participation, strengthen partnerships, and expand awareness of available services. Rooted in lived experience and the values of positive youth development, harm reduction, and peer leadership, the YES plays a key role in engaging youth where they are through schools, community events, partner organizations, and spaces accessed by houseless youth. This position helps create welcoming, affirming entry points into services and supports ongoing program participation. The YES collaborates closely with Peer Support Specialists and the Program Manager to maintain consistent youth engagement, support group activities, and ensure continuity of care across programs by supporting connection between youth and appropriate services through warm handoffs. This role does not provide one-on-one peer support services and does not maintain a caseload. It contributes to a strong, connected, and accessible support network for youth.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build authentic relationships with youth and community partners.
• Experience with outreach and community engagement, including building relationships with youth and community partners.
• Comfort with public-facing outreach and engagement in a variety of settings.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to travel throughout Marion & Polk Counties.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and insurance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and basic data tracking systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in nonprofit work, youth programs, and/or peer support environments, including work with houseless youth.
• Current Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification and/or Youth Peer Support Specialist certification.
• Familiarity with harm reduction and positive youth development practices.
• Experience facilitating or supporting group programming.
• Multilingual, especially Spanish/English.
• CPR, First Aid, and Oregon Food Handler’s certifications (or willingness to obtain).
• Familiarity with Marion & Polk County communities, especially rural areas and local youth-serving systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to youth and community partners to increase program visibility and participation, including youth experiencing houselessness.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, community organizations, and local partners, including those serving houseless youth (e.g., shelters and drop-in centers).
• Represent the organization at community events, resource fairs, and tabling opportunities.
• Assist with facilitating or co-facilitating groups, workshops, and activities needed to support youth engagement.
• Support Peer Support Specialists in preparing and running programming.
• Help maintain welcoming, inclusive, and youth-centered environments at pop-up spaces and outreach events.
• Work closely with Peer Support Specialists and Program Manager to coordinate engagement strategies and support connection between youth and appropriate services through outreach and warm handoffs.
• Provide feedback on youth needs, trends, and engagement strategies, including barriers faced by houseless youth.
• Participate in regular team meetings and communication to align outreach and engagement efforts.
• Share information about available services, resources, and supports with youth and community members, including housing and basic needs resources.
• Promote harm reduction, mental health awareness, and identity-affirming resources.
• Connect youth to Peer Support Specialists or other services when additional support is requested.
• Document outreach activities, event participation, and engagement metrics.
• Support accurate and timely documentation in alignment with organizational and funder requirements.
• Track referrals and outreach outcomes to support program reporting and evaluation, including connections to housing-related services.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision group health insurance.
• 12 paid holidays, including your birthday!
• 403b retirement plan.
• Employee assistance program.
• Generous paid time off plan.
• Professional development assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed