Youth Street Outreach Specialist

Synergy Services•Kansas City, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Street Outreach (SOS) team provides community-based outreach and case management to homeless youth throughout Greater Kansas City. The team provides basic necessities and assists the young person in reaching educational, vocational and housing goals. Provides a continuum of services, opportunities and supports for runaway, homeless, and street youth up to age 21 in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Youth will be provided services, opportunities and supports including but not limited to assistance with meeting medical and dental needs, housing such as shelter and transitional living programs, educational materials, counseling, referrals, and transportation to appointments. Will provide youth basic necessities such as bottled water, blankets, first aid kits, snacks, and some clothing. Promotes the program in the community, at events and in groups for youth. Will provide youth chances for exploration, practice, reflection, expression, creativity, group membership, and contribution & service through the arts, recreation and education. This advocate will also be the point person and transportation for Youth 4 Change KC groups, and Transformation groups (a total of 4 monthly meetings).

Requirements

Must be at least 20 years of age
Pass a background check and Family Care Safety Registry screening, fingerprint screen, drug screen, physical
Have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
CPR/First Aid Certification
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Must be organized and have excellent follow-through with paperwork and requirements.
Must possess broad knowledge of community resources.
Must have good attendance for shift, meetings and be able to keep appointments on time.
Ability to use general office equipment, type and perform Data Entry/10 key, and have the ability to use computer software, including Windows, Word for Windows, and Access.
Must be able to walk long distances, be able to withstand and work or adjust activities in varied weather conditions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.
Must have ability to work a flexible schedule when needed/requested and meet all on-call rotation responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

An Art and/or Recreation background in curricula, program planning and implementation experience is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in social services field preferred and/or Youth Development/Human Services Certification.
Prefers experience in working with street youth.
CPR, Med Tech Certification and Chauffeur’s License within 30 days from the date of hire.

Responsibilities

Responds to hotline calls from street youth.
Coordinates resources and services for street youth.
Ability to assess environmental safety and situational danger while implementing safety protocol.
Plan and conduct groups, activities and workshops to teens on Synergy’s Youth Campus and in the community (e.g. youth-serving agencies, libraries, schools, etc.)
Carry on-call cell phone for on-call rotation for the Safe Place Program.
Participates in required staff development training and staff meetings.
Attends community youth oriented agency meetings.
Performs presentations to schools, youth-serving agencies, libraries in the community.
Documents and follows all protocol per the Street Outreach Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), completing all logs and paperwork required for the program.
Meets multiple times per week with youth on the street at designated locations to establish rapport.
Assist youth in locating assistance for shelter/housing, medical needs, clothing needs, resources, food, etc.
Facilitates transporting youth to appointments, group, or shelter.
Sorts and maintains organization of all donations and Street Outreach supplies.
Maintains all daily contact and logs and chart order for youth.
Practices expected follow-up on requests, tasks, client needs.
Initiates needed tasks for completion.
Maintains client confidentiality and professionalism.
Networks with community and other organizations for resources.
Communicates consistently and regularly with Manager, other agency and community staff.
Be able and willing to work in all types of weather conditions.
Participation in Performance and Quality Improvement activity is required by each employee.
Serves as point person and transportation for Youth 4 Change KC and Transformations.
Provides groups and tabling on nights and weekends as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned