Youth Engagement Specialist

Youth Engagement Specialist Classification: Full-time, In-Person, Non-Exempt Compensation: $25.00 to $28.17 per hour About MISSSEY MISSSEY works to prevent girls and gender‑expansive youth from ever entering circumstances of sexual exploitation and violence. We support young people who are experiencing exploitation to exit and partner with them after exit to avoid re‑entering exploitative circumstances and live free of harmful transactional relationships. As an organization, we value healing, youth voice, integrity, and relationships. Our service model focuses on healing through trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered, youth‑focused approaches. We recognize the crucial voices of survivors in facilitating healing in victims of commercial sexual exploitation and value young people empowering other young people. Our work with youth is a partnership, helping them transition from victim to survivor to leader, encouraging long‑term stability and success in whatever path they choose. MISSSEY believes that with the right opportunities and support, youth can overcome exploitation and thrive. Position Summary The Youth Engagement Specialist (Y.E.S.) plays an important role in identifying and engaging with youth involved in the Alameda County Social Services Agency’s Children and Family Services who are vulnerable to or have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. Under the supervision of the Integrated Services Manager (ISM), the Y.E.S. is responsible for prevention, intervention, and stabilization work with youth in the child welfare system, making referrals to MISSSEY case management as needed. The staff collaborates across systems, participates in multi‑disciplinary team meetings, and advocates for the needs of exploited young people as part of a service delivery team. The role works within the limits of the organization’s resources and in compliance with grants, contracts, and agency policies. The ideal candidate is self‑motivated, builds rapport with highly at‑risk and exploited youth, navigates systems, is reliable, committed to the self‑determination of marginalized young people, works collegially with colleagues and the MISSSEY team, and is steadfast in delivering impactful services. The Ideal Candidate For This Position Would Have a minimum of 1‑year experience working with systems‑involved youth Have solid experience working with Black girls and other youth of color who have experienced homelessness, interpersonal violence, trafficking, and abuse Have a thorough understanding of youth development, advocacy, and crisis intervention Be a continual learner deeply invested in women and girls Have experience building relationships with community partners and coordinating services that engage youth and support them to thrive Have an understanding of crisis intervention, de‑escalation, restorative practices, interpersonal relationship and resiliency building, and harm reduction theory and practice Have the ability to co‑create a strong, reflective, highly productive, and caring culture Duties And Responsibilities Direct Services (70%) Engage and build rapport with young people in the Alameda County SSA at various locations including the Assessment Center, STRTP placements, Resource Family Placements, and in the community. Assess participant’s vulnerability to or experience with commercial sexual exploitation. Facilitate 1‑on‑1 prevention sessions with youth identified as highly vulnerable to exploitation. Provide support and service linkages to youth, including referrals to MISSSEY transformation coaching services. Provide follow‑up sessions for identified youth who are placed in foster care and STRTPs. Attend team decision‑making meetings, advocating for the young person, utilizing a strengths‑based framework, and representing the organizational philosophy. Work collaboratively with child welfare workers, caregivers, housing providers, and other Alameda County staff to improve the collective response to CSE. Refer County staff, caregivers, and STRTP providers to MISSSEY’s CSE trainings and youth‑prevention workshops. Maintain transparency and assist participants in making informed decisions. Provide psycho‑education about exploitation and its aftermath to youth, their families or caregivers, service providers, and other systems. Support in co‑facilitation of MISSSEY’s prevention curriculum "Let’s Talk About It" to youth in schools, the STaR center, STRTPs and community‑based organizations. Foster an environment that promotes harmony, partnership, alliance, healing, and thriving. Support in STaR center (drop‑in milieu) and other engagement services as needed. Indirect and Administrative (25%) Ensure Youth Engagement activities are aligned and in compliance with contracts, grants, and agency policies. Maintain up‑to‑date participant files with all relevant intakes, releases, and documentation. Complete 4 hours of monthly outreach. Input case notes in Apricot online system within 72 hours of client contact; track activities and progress in notes. Accurately record and track youth participation and incentives. Collaborate with MISSSEY team to support organization‑wide initiatives. Participate in weekly one‑on‑one supervision, the development of work plans, and annual reviews. Other (5%) Implement goals and objectives of the Alameda County Social Services grant. Actively participate in supervision, case conferences, staff meetings, and trainings. Guide and participate in collaborative processes to improve all work at MISSSEY. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum 2 years’ experience working with strength‑based and client‑centered models, restorative and trauma‑informed care practices. Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences such as psychology, criminal justice, social work, and/or public health preferred; relevant experience will be considered. Experience in trauma‑informed, healing‑centered youth development. Experience working with African American cis, trans, and non‑binary women and girls. Ability to identify, assess, and intervene effectively with behavioral health issues. Passion for supporting young people, promoting healing‑centered, trauma‑informed youth development practices, and working towards social change. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Dependable and present. Multi‑task and manage high numbers of youth at one time. Knowledge of at‑risk youth and commercial sexual exploitation. Ability to set healthy boundaries working with youth. Respond to youth in crisis with de‑escalation techniques and appropriate support. Serve as a role model for youth served. Administer policies and procedures ensuring safety and confidentiality of program participants. Develop positive relationships with participants, colleagues, and supervisors. Assume a leadership role in initiating workshops and activities. Excellent communication skills. Physical Demands & Work Environment Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. Requires computer use each day, including typing for many hours per day. Requires ability to use keyboard, monitor, cell phone, and calculator. Requires ability to communicate verbally, both in person and on the telephone. Must be able to stand for at least 20 minutes at a time. Occasional outdoor activities. Shared office space. Required Licenses & Certifications Current driver’s license, reliable vehicle, proof of active automobile liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000/$300,000 in accordance with MISSSEY’s grant and compliance requirements, and a clean driving record required. Criminal background check including fingerprint clearance. TB clearance. COVID‑19 vaccination required. MISSSEY will consider accommodations for a disability and religious‑based reasons only. Benefits Employer pays 100% of Medical/Dental/Optometry. LTD & Disability Term Life Insurance. Voluntary Life Term Insurance. Coverage of work‑related travel, mileage, and parking. PTO (paid time off). EAP (employee assistance program). Family and pet bereavement. Employee retirement and employee match (SIMPLE IRA). Generous Holiday Calendar, including 2 weeks starting vacation after the 90‑day period. Equal Opportunity Employer MISSSEY is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage survivors, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience in our mission areas to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr