Youth Engagement Specialist- PT Morning 7 am-1 pm(Weekends Required)

COVENANT HOUSE NEW ORLEANS•New Orleans, LA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Covenant House New Orleans (CHNO) provides shelter, support, and opportunities for 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 creates a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for youth experiencing homelessness. The role builds trusting relationships, promotes life-skills development, supports individualized service plans, and helps youth access resources to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. The specialist works with youth, colleagues, and community partners to provide trauma-informed support that fosters personal growth, resilience, and independence. This is a part-time morning position scheduled from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Candidates must be regularly available every Saturday and Sunday during those hours. Additional weekday availability is welcome. The role is based at 611 N Rampart Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, and work takes place in residential and community-based environments. Some local travel within the Greater New Orleans area may be required. Non-traditional hours may be necessary to meet program needs. Covenant House New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

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.
Regular availability every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
Trauma-informed and youth-centered approach.
Effective communication and active listening.
Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.
Relationship-building and engagement skills.
Cultural humility and inclusiveness.
Time management and organizational skills.
Teamwork and collaboration.
Adaptability and problem-solving.
Professional documentation and recordkeeping skills.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and respond quickly in emergencies.
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, supportive, and trauma-informed interactions.
Create a safe and welcoming environment and encourage participation in educational, recreational, and life-skills activities.
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.
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 referrals.
Provide life-skills coaching, 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 immediate safety during emotional, behavioral, or situational crises.
Help address basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and emotional support.
Complete documentation accurately and on time; maintain case notes and activity records in ETO, HMIS, and other designated systems.
Document incidents, interventions, and significant events according to agency policies, maintaining confidentiality and professional recordkeeping standards.
Collaborate with case managers, residential staff, mental-health professionals, and community partners.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and organizational events, and support a team culture focused on youth success and well-being.
Follow Covenant House New Orleans policies and procedures, including 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.
Help maintain a secure and supportive environment for youth, staff, and visitors.
Participate in ongoing professional development related to trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, youth development, mental-health awareness, and best practices for serving vulnerable youth populations.