Youth Care Specialist I

Program: Youth Center Department: Youth Services Reports to: Program Supervisor, Youth Center Shift Differential Premium: $1.75 per hour for hours worked between 6pm-6am Schedule: Sun-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Status: 100%, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union Probation: 90 days Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan Center’s Mission: Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Youth Center serves youth up to the age of 24 who are currently at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Youth Center offers services in an LGBTQ+ safe and affirming environment and serves as an entry point to assist youth making the transition from homelessness to housing. Our services include meals, clothing, support groups, a charter high school, GED and college prep program, an employment preparation, training and placement program, street outreach, case management, counseling, a crisis shelter, a transitional living program (TLP) and supportive apartments. Our community-based programs include services for youth at-home, in school or in systems of care. JOB SUMMARY The Youth Care Specialist provides a variety of supportive services including but not limited to, direct oversight and supervision of drop-in and 24/7 interim & permanent supportive housing programs, assistance with basic needs, street outreach, employment preparation and placement assistance, education, housing navigation, individualized case management, crisis intervention and behavioral support, transportation and other services that address the overall needs of drop-in, residential and community members. This position works with a population that is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness and has high rates of mental health, health and substance-related issues. The ideal candidate must be familiar with and have experience with this population. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Provide a welcoming presence onsite for members to engage with by answering questions, providing information and facilitating engagement opportunities. • Provide a comprehensive continuum of homelessness prevention services, including street outreach, employment preparation and placement assistance, individualized case management, education, housing location and retention, and other supportive services. • Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure member and resident safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation along a spectrum of intervention techniques. • Provide direct supervision and assistance with basic needs (meals, clothing, hygiene) and day to day program operations. • Conduct intake, CES assessment, and individualized needs assessments and collaborate with youth to develop a services and housing stability plan that addresses barriers to obtaining services, housing and healthcare. • As the primary Point of Contact work in collaboration with a team of service providers in an effort to obtain, stabilize and maintain housing. • Implement a philosophy-of-care, including housing-first, harm-reduction and trauma-informed care principles. • Collaborate with other LA LGBT Center departments and outside organizations agencies on youth events, resources and youth development opportunities. • Plan and facilitate programming, events and activities utilizing a Positive Youth development framework that develops a sense of competence, usefulness, power and belonging among at-risk youth, youth experiencing homelessness, at-home/at-school youth and youth who see themselves as the leaders of the future. • Conduct outreach and engagement. • Complete general operational and administrative work such as compiling data, statistics, preparing reports, and drafting correspondence. • Organize and maintain program files and materials through data entry and database maintenance. • Assist with special projects as directed by management…