Youth Engagement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Youth Engagement Specialist

Location: Oakland & Hayward, CA

Type: FT, PT – Contract-to-Hire

Shifts: Multiple Shifts

Industry: Nonprofit Youth Services / Homelessness Services

Pay: $22.00 - $23.95/hr

Company Overview

A nonprofit youth services organization provides sanctuary, housing, and comprehensive support for young adults ages 18–24 who are overcoming homelessness. Services address physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and broader well-being needs through an inclusive and affirming environment where individuals are treated with dignity and respect. The program provides a continuum of housing and supportive services and is continuing to expand its residential capacity. The organization maintains a diverse, multidisciplinary environment focused on helping young adults establish safety, stability, and greater independence.

Position Summary

Youth Engagement Specialists are an essential part of the multidisciplinary residential team and support safe, consistent programming within crisis shelter and transitional living services. The position facilitates day-to-day operations while maintaining established policies, procedures, professional boundaries, and standards of care. Youth Engagement Specialists provide direct supervision and support, including door and phone triage, safety assessment, crisis prevention and intervention, program policy enforcement, documentation, light cleaning and facility upkeep, and consistent engagement with young adults. The position serves as a positive adult role model and requires comfort working in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide supervision of the shelter, including oversight and maintenance of facility areas.
• Conduct bag and pocket checks and support required entry screening procedures when young adults enter the building.
• Secure prohibited items according to established safety procedures.
• Conduct scheduled wellness checks in resident bedrooms during assigned shifts.
• Maintain consistent safety awareness across situations and facility spaces.
• Perform daily operational responsibilities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Provide welcoming, engaging, and professional phone and door coverage.
• Respond appropriately to crisis, business information, resource, and referral inquiries.
• Provide crisis prevention and intervention while following established response, reporting, and escalation protocols.
• Build rapport with young adults while serving as a positive role model and maintaining healthy professional boundaries.
• Encourage young adults to participate in activities and programming.
• Provide direct supervision on-site, during community outings, and during meetings or appointments.
• Develop working knowledge of community resources available to program participants.
• Teach basic life skills, including personal hygiene, household cleaning, and interpersonal skills.
• Lead a youth group or activity at least once per month.
• Maintain consistent communication with the multidisciplinary team through shift notes, logs, and critical incident reports.
• Enter engagement notes into a database.
• Review email and prior shift documentation at the beginning of each shift for relevant updates and incidents.
• Attend assigned training sessions, meetings, and supervision.
• Provide backup coverage as assigned.
• Conduct client triage by identifying needs, clarifying concerns, and directing questions appropriately.
• Supervise completion of resident chores when applicable.
• Inspect common shelter areas daily for cleanliness and safety.
• Function as Person in Charge when designated.
• Maintain timely and reliable attendance for scheduled shifts, meetings, and training sessions.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience working with young adults ages 18–24.
• Applicants must be at least 25 years old due to direct-care responsibilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Computer literacy, including working knowledge of Word, Outlook, Excel, email, and comparable systems.
• Ability to work effectively as a self-starter and collaborative team member.
• Ability to interact professionally with staff, program participants, vendors, and members of the public.
• Working knowledge of adolescent development, crisis intervention, multicultural awareness, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, CPR, and First Aid.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally and bend, sit, and stand for prolonged periods.
• Ability to work within a 24/7 residential services environment, including required weekend or holiday coverage when applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field; relevant life or professional experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Valid California driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Ability to transport program participants or staff using agency transportation when required.
• Previous experience in a shelter, transitional living program, residential program, youth services organization, or comparable human-services environment.
• Experience using Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) or a comparable client documentation database