EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Children’s Home Society of Virginia (CHSVA) is a full-service, private, nonprofit, non-sectarian licensed child-placing agency. Our agency’s programs support CHSVA’s mission to build strong, permanent families and lifelong relationships for Virginia’s at-risk children and youth.
My Path Forward is a collaboration between the Children’s Home Society of Virginia and the Better Housing Coalition to serve youth who are preparing to transition from foster care to independence. My Path Forward provides ‘aged-out’ youth, ages 17 to 25, with housing and a variety of trauma informed wrap-around supports including job training, access to education, financial literacy, and life skills, to meet their unique needs, develop their individual talents, and ensure they are getting ahead in life and achieving the independence they seek.
This is a PART-TIME position and the scheduled hours will typically fall within 4pm - 10pm, Monday - Friday (weekday evenings) and 8am - 10pm, Saturday and Sunday (weekends). Occasional weekday day shifts may also be available.
Part-time benefits include a 403(b) retirement savings plan, paid time off (PTO), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Pay commensurate with qualifications. CHSVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
PRIMARY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The My Path Forward (MPF) Program Support Staff will use a trauma-informed approach to supporting young adults, ages 17-25, who have aged out of foster care in order to meet their case management goals. Services include apartment/curfew checks, crisis management, and providing program transportation.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS, include but are not limited to:*
Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower those who are experiencing disabilities or medical limitations with the tools needed to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities.
Services to Young Adults:
- Provide program supervision and support to youth in My Path Forward (MPF) and My Path Forward – Independent Living Arrangement (MPF-ILA);
- Conduct apartment walk-throughs, checks, and inspections, and curfew checks;
- Provide and coordinate transportation to/from a variety of locations, including but not limited to: employment sites, educational institutions, job interviews, appointments (i.e. medical, DMV, SSA, court, meetings, etc.), community events, and retail /grocery stores; including assisting participants in navigating public transit as needed;
- Enforce all program and property rules and expectations;
- Coach young adults on how to handle issues in a way that promotes self-advocacy;
- Communicate regularly with My Path Forward team to ensure participants’ needs are met and issues are efficiently and effectively addressed within a timely fashion;
- Participate in crisis management as needed;
- Coach program participants in independent living skills, such as budgeting, comparison shopping, housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping, packing/moving, and completing legal paperwork;
- Document all youth contacts in a timely manner;
Other:
- Assist with apartment turnovers and preparations, including but not limited to: assembling and rearranging furniture, basic cleaning and maintenance, maintaining apartment inventory, etc.;
- Assist with receiving and organizing donated household goods, nonperishable food items, cleaning supplies, holiday gifts, etc.;
- Uphold strict confidentiality in dealing with sensitive, proprietary, restricted, and private information, including client information, trade secrets, and CHSVA business information;
- Maintain professional relationships with CHSVA clients, including children, youth, and families, by establishing and upholding appropriate boundaries;
- Other duties as assigned.
*This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee is expected to perform other duties necessary for the effective operation of the agency.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of the impact of trauma on child and youth development.
- Knowledge of best practice for coaching and teaching young adults.
- Knowledge of young adult needs, attitudes and beliefs.
- Knowledge of the role and importance of permanency for young adults.
- Knowledge of the needs of youth aging out of foster care.
- Skilled in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and virtual communication platforms (i.e. Zoom).
- Skilled at engaging young adults.
- Skilled at negotiating services and identifying resources as they relate to young adults.
- Skilled at collaborating with clients, staff and professionals in the community.
- Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
- Ability to work independently but also as part of a team.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity.
- Ability to communicate and build relationships with a variety of internal and external customers.
- Ability to present program to others in a clear and meaningful manner.
- Ability to frequently problem-solve both independently and as a small team.
- Ability to effectively communicate with program staff to address ongoing issues and needs of clients.
- Ability to develop and cultivate inclusive and equitable working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, including those of all ages, races, colors, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, ethnicities, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
In a typical workday, this position involves:
- Sitting: up to 1 hours at one time and up to 5 total hours during an 8-hour day
- Standing: up to 1.5 hours at one time and up to 3 total hours during an 8-hour day
- Walking: up to 1 hour at one time and up to 2 total hours during an 8-hour day
- Lifting: 0 lbs continuously, 1 lb frequently, 50 lbs occasionally
- Carrying: 0 lbs continuously, 1 lb frequently, 50 lbs occasionally
- Positioning - Bending (waist level): Occasionally
- Positioning - Squatting: Occasionally
- Positioning - Kneeling: Occasionally
- Positioning - Climbing (ladders): Never
- Positioning - Twisting (waist level): Occasionally
- Positioning - Crawling: Never
- Positioning - Balancing: Occasionally
- Positioning - Climbing (stairs): Occasionally
- Hand use - Simple grasping: Frequently
- Hand use - Power grasping: Occasionally
- Hand use - Pushing & Pulling: Occasionally
- Hand use - Fine manipulation: Occasionally
- Hand use - Keyboarding: Occasionally
- Reaching - Above shoulder level: Occasionally
- Reaching - At waist level: Occasionally
- Reaching - Below waist level: Occasionally
Definitions: Continuously = 6 – 8 hours in an 8-hour day or 60 times per hour. Frequently = 3 – 6 hours in an 8-hour day or up to 12 - 60 times per hour. Occasionally = Up to 3 hours in an 8-hour day or 1 - 12 times per hour.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS
- College degree in a related subject (i.e. social work, counseling, psychology, sociology, education, human services, criminal justice, etc.) from an accredited college or university, preferred but not required.
- One to three years of experience working independently providing coaching, case management, criminal justice services, or related services to youth and young adults, preferred but not required.
- An in-depth understanding of trauma-informed care.
- Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and services of Children’s Home Society of Virginia, including a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Acceptable driving record and adequate auto insurance.
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Equal Employment Opportunity is a fundamental principle at CHSVA, where employment is based upon capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of age, race, traits historically associated with race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Our goal is to maintain a working environment that provides its employees with a fair and professional growth opportunity in which all employees can enjoy the richness and productivity that a diverse workforce provides.
This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.
NON-DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
CHSVA is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect, civility, and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. The Agency expects that all working relationships will be cooperative, business-like and free of bias, prejudice and harassment.
CHSVA has ZERO TOLERANCE for any form of discrimination or harassment by any employee or any third parties over which we have control. Employees found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate corrective action up to and including termination.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION POLICY
CHSVA values all employees’ contributions and wishes to create an inclusive environment where employees experiencing disabilities can readily and efficiently request and receive reasonable accommodations to help them succeed in our organization. A reasonable accommodation’s primary function is to empower those who are experiencing disabilities with the tools that make performing the essential functions of their job possible; providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees.
The following policy complies with applicable federal, state, and local disability related regulations.
Interactive Process
CHSVA is committed to process requests for reasonable accommodations in a prompt and efficient manner. Individuals who feel they need an accommodation should contact their manager or an authorized HR representative to obtain the requisite forms for Accommodation Requests and Medical Certification, which the individual (and/or their physician or health care provider), must complete and return as indicated. This information will be maintained by Human Resources in a confidential manner and will be shared only with those in the Agency who have a need to know. Once the completed forms are returned, the Agency will discuss possible accommodations with the employee or candidate to evaluate and determine appropriate options. If a request has been pending for longer than the employee or candidate is comfortable with, they should seek a status update from the person to whom the request was submitted.
Sometimes an employee or candidate requests an accommodation that is not reasonable or necessary; that poses an “undue hardship” (i.e., too costly or disruptive) on the Agency or its employees; or that might threaten the safety of the individual who has made the request or of others. In those cases, the Agency will evaluate whether some other form of workplace accommodation may be appropriate. An employee or candidate who has questions regarding this policy, or believes that they have been discriminated against based on a disability, should consult an authorized HR representative. The Agency does not tolerate retaliation against any employee for exercising their rights under this policy.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE / SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
The Agency provides a healthy workplace and takes reasonable measures to ensure that alcohol or drug use does not jeopardize the success or safety of our operations, employees or customers.
The use of drugs and alcohol is a concern when it interferes with the efficient and/or safe performance of work, including an employee's dependability. Individuals who are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol are a danger, not only to themselves, but to all those around them. Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol can also severely impact an employee's performance, increase absenteeism and unnecessarily contribute to increased medical expenses. Even in states where marijuana is legal, use of marijuana still poses a threat to employee and customer safety if it causes impairment. Employees are prohibited from having any detectable amount of marijuana present in their bodies or in their possession while reporting to work, while at work, or while on-call for work, and must be able to maintain a constant state of alertness while working. A reasonable accommodation for lawful use of cannabis oil may be made, so long as the use does not result in impairment and is pursuant to a valid written certification issued by a health care practitioner for the treatment of the employee’s diagnosed condition or disease.
To enforce the Agency's commitment to a drug-free workplace, the following actions are not permitted on Agency premises, in Agency vehicles or while otherwise engaged in the conduct of Agency business:
- Using, possessing, distributing, selling, dispensing, manufacturing, transferring, offering, furnishing or being under the influence of illegal or illicit drugs or other controlled substances (as defined under Federal, State and Local laws and regulations); or
- Working without notice to the immediate manager while using prescription or non-prescription drugs which may impair alertness, judgment or coordination.
Drug Testing
The Agency reserves the right to conduct drug and alcohol testing of all employees/applicants in the following circumstances: (1) Reasonable Suspicion; (2) Post-Accident.
- Reasonable Suspicion: If two members of the Management team have “reasonable suspicion” that an employee has a detectable amount of alcohol or drugs in their system while working, management will request that this employee be tested and corrective/disciplinary actions will be taken if test results are positive. Reasonable suspicion includes, but is not limited to: observation of behavior, such as slurred speech, unsteady walking, abrupt mood swings, breath (alcohol) or odor; needle marks, sudden nosebleeds; excessive absenteeism; declining productivity; use or possession of drug paraphernalia and/or suspicious activity indicating possible involvement with prohibited substances or alcohol.
- Post-Accident: The Agency reserves the right to require any employee involved in a work-related accident to submit to a drug test, including when the Agency’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance carrier requests it.
Any employee who is convicted under a criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace or on Agency business must notify the Agency.
Employees who violate the Agency’s Substance Abuse Policy may be subject to corrective action up to and including termination.
SMOKE-FREE/TOBACCO-FREE POLICY
CHSVA is committed to a smoke-free/tobacco-free work environment. Accordingly, smoking or use of other tobacco products is not permitted inside or near any of the Agency’s offices, facilities or worksites. “Tobacco products” means any lit or unlit cigarette, cigar, pipe, smokeless tobacco, and any device that emits nicotine vapor.
Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Application Question(s):
- Do you have valid auto insurance?
- How many years of experience do you have working with youth/teens or young adults?
- This is a part-time position (approximately 10 - 20 hrs per week) with variable weekday evening and weekend hours. Scheduled hours will typically fall within 4pm - 10pm, Monday - Friday and 8am - 10pm, Saturday and Sunday. Please indicate which of these days/times you are consistently available to work.
- This position includes transporting youth to work, school, appointments, errands, and community activities in our agency vehicles (minivans); turning over units as youth move in/out; conducting apartment/housekeeping/curfew checks; helping youth with independent living skills (cooking, moving, budgeting, cleaning); sorting and putting away donations, etc. The position involves standing, sitting, walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs. Do you have concerns about any of these duties or physical requirements?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person
