POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for providing guidance, supervision, information and services to YNC participants within YNC Shelter Programs utilizing non-judgmental and positive youth development practices. This position is responsible for following all organizational policies and procedures. Youth Shelter Specialists will be assigned to the Low Barrier Shelter working with 18-24 year olds.
DUTIES:
1. Assure a safe, non-judgmental environment for program participants.
2. Maintain facility according to licensing and/or agency standards.
3. Operate agency vehicles to transport clients and complete routine deliveries and pick-ups.
4. Establish and monitor daily living routine and reinforce positive, productive self-sufficient life style for all youth.
5. Perform crisis prevention, intervention and management while adhering to agency protocols for responding, reporting and seeking support.
6. Build rapport with youth and act as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining and facilitating healthy boundaries.
7. Facilitate educational, social, recreational and employment activities for youth.
8. Adhere to established shift procedures.
9. Accurate completing of all required documentation including data entry.
10. Maintain clear and thorough communication with Supervisor and Manager around all programmatic and personnel issues.
11. Provide immediate trauma-informed, harm reduction, response to a range of crisis presented by youth with focus on de-escalation, short term problem solving, improved decision making, utilization of healthy coping skills and referral to services.
12. Attend team meetings, trainings, and supervision meetings.
13. Monitor and enforce Community Agreements of the program, providing documented corrective actions when needed.
14. Arbitrate disputes and provide a sounding board for complaints and concerns.
15. Follow all legal and licensing regulations and requirements for the program.
16. Follow all emergency procedures to assure the safety of youth, family, staff and property.
17. When needed, shop for food and prepare and cook meals for program participants.
18. Accept and utilize supervision and receive corrective feedback from supervisory staff.
19. Complete incident reports on any facility damage, medical emergencies or any incident which occurs out of the ordinary daily functioning of the facility.
20. Provide emergency shift coverage if necessary.
21. Preparation of assigned reports, work records, statistical data, job performance evaluations, work plans, etc. in a timely manner.
22. Perform other duties as assigned.
Low Barrier Shelter Focused Duties:
1. Conduct regular rounds of facility (including bed checks and grounds checks) and interact with clients to share information, provide supplies, and facilitate interventions.
2. Provide support during Check-in and Check-out to insure safe and complete screening of residents.
3. Monitor shower/laundry/dinner schedule, encourage/teach clients to wash their clothes on their laundry day.
4. Assist with set up and clean up Low Barrier Shelter activities daily.
5. Efficiently and congenially wake clients, prepare and serve breakfast before closing the shelter for the day.
6. Maintain and organize all donations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Minimum 6 months related experience and/or training.
2. High School diploma or GED required.
3. Meet all state licensing requirements for group homes; including all employees at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
4. Experience working with youth or young adults and/or experience working in shelters or group homes preferred.
5. Experience and ability to work effectively with youth, adults and community members.
6. Prior experience working with historically underserved youth and families preferred.
7. Ability to handle crisis situations and decide appropriate course of action.
8. Ability to push or pull up to 25 pounds.
9. Pass agency paid criminal justice screening including fingerprints.
10. Pass agency paid TB (Tuberculosis) screening.
11. Pass agency paid health screening and/or drug testing, if required.
12. First Aid training within seven (7) days of employment, re-certification as necessary.
13. Valid California driver’s license and current proof of auto insurance coverage, preferred.
14. Pass agency paid MVR clearance with no more than 2 points- if you are under the age of 25 our insurance company will not allow any points.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Represent the agency in a professional and competent manner.
2. Advocate for the best interests of the agency and clients we serve.
3. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, clients, supervisors and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ancestry, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, medical conditions, marital status, amnesty and military or veteran status.
4. Will promote and support a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce and be responsive to the population within our service area.
5. Maintain confidentiality and confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or agency regulations.
6. Participate in assigned scheduled agency meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and other trainings as determined by the supervisor. This includes serving as an agency representative at assigned community meetings.
7. Observance of assigned working hours and program appointments by demonstrating promptness and thorough preparation.
8. Performance of assigned duties with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration and cooperation.
9. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
10. Perform job duties in a safe manner to ensure a safe working environment for oneself and others.
11. Participates in and/or supports agency fund development activities and events.
12. Preparation of assigned reports, work records, statistical data, job performance evaluations, work plans, etc. in a timely manner.
