The Youth Engagement Support Staff (YESS) will possess excellent communication and organizational skills and provide support to young people that is strength-based, trauma-informed and harm reduction focused. The YESS will model our mission of providing absolute respect and unconditional love to all young people and will value working within a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe, inclusive environment for all.
The YESS is responsible for continuous youth engagement, activities, and implementation of youth identified success plan goals. Other functions include crisis intervention and de-escalation, documentation in multiple databases, and facilitation of assigned activities.
Duties and responsibilities:
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Provide unconditional positive regard to young people regardless of their behavior.
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Support Case Management services with the goal of developing positive relationships with young people through the utilization of the case management system, including:
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Welcome young people to the program, ensure they feel comfortable, safe and understand the program structure, opportunities for engagement, and access to supplies that they might need.
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Build a supportive relationship with youth that encourages them to find their voice and connects them to opportunities, experiences, and resources that enrich and enhance their lives.
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Support identified Success Plan goals with each young person.
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Support the youth’s progress of self-identified goals and coach young people to plan, implement, and follow-through with tasks.
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Motivate young people to explore and improve wellness, education and employment, financial literacy and social navigation goals and any other areas that will impact their success plan.
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Monitor youth while taking medication and enter Medication Logs.
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Engage with youth in daily House Activities. To include assisting in completing chores, dining, joining the gym and other fun activities, bus tickets, and on-going movement throughout the day.
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Explore and participate with youth in outside activities, which can include trips, walks to parks, visiting college campuses and other experiences that expose and enrich a youth’s time with CHNJ.
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Provide crisis de-escalation and intervention as necessary according to training and best practices.
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Document Intake, Orientation and Transitions into ETO, HMIS and case files.
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Document regular daily progress notes in young people’s case records (HMIS and ETO).
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Document pertinent information in Youth Incident Report, Medication Logs and House Activity Logs.
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Facilitate if assigned youth group activities which support the 5 resiliency objectives: Wellness, Social Navigation, Financial Literacy, Education and Employment, on a regular basis.
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Perform all duties assigned by the supervisor to meet the needs of young people while ensuring adherence to the daily program schedule.
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Make copies of any forms or documents as assigned.
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Prepare welcome kits. Sort new donations, organize unit storage closets, replenish youth supplies as requested and/or needed.
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Do laundry as assigned for youth linens.
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Clean and prepare vacant residential space to be ready for new intakes.
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Maintain youth common areas according to cleanliness standards.
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Count medication nightly and document on medication log, notify supervisor of any inaccuracies.
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Rotate youth files according to the annual system.
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Attend supervision with supervisor and meetings as assigned.
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Attend professional development training as assigned.
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Read and respond daily to all emails, calendar invites, and any other agency communications.
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Cover the front desk when required.
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Cover all areas of the building as assigned.
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When assigned to transport youth in agency vehicles.
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Utilizing agency resources for agency use only which include but are not limited to vehicles, computers, telephones.
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Assists as needed with fundraising affairs and special events which may be conducted outside the employee’s normal work schedule.
Applicant must be available to work the following schedule: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00PM -8:00AM
Days off: Thursday, Friday & Saturday
Hourly Rate: $21.77
Experience and Skills:
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Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Sociology, Social Work or related field preferred.
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Preferred experience with young people ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness or human trafficking and or lived experience.
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Knowledge of public benefits and community in NJ.
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Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work well with others.
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Knowledge of adolescent development and ability to build positive rapport with young people.
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Excellent communication skills as demonstrated by concise, timely and professional correspondence, both written and verbal.
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Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.
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Must have a valid NJ driver’s license and good driving record.
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May need to transport clients/staff if required using agency transportation.
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403B Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off (Sick, Personal, Vacation & Holidays).
