Youth Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $23.00 - $25.00

Summary

This position will work as part of our Family and YouthHousing team tosupportyoung adults (ages 18-24)living in a supportive housing apartment building in Edina, MN.The goals of the program are to partner withyoungadultstoobtain andretainstable housing, increase economic resources, andimproveoverall stabilityoutcomes foreach household.

Hours for this position aregenerally Mondays-Fridays, 9am-5pm, with some flexibility based on participant needs.

Responsibilities

Support Specialist functions:

Provide effective case management to program participants:

• Complete intakes andassistwith housing placement of new participants.

• Orient participants toSimpsonpolicies/procedures.

• Meet weekly for 60 minutes or more witheach householdat their place of residence.

• Partner with participants to develop self-defined goals focused on improving stability and achieving greater independence.

• Provide transportationassistanceandaccompanyto appointments related to their goals.

• Support and explore community resources when participants are struggling with mental health concerns and healthy functioning.

• Support skill development to achieve a greater level of autonomy.

• Simultaneously working withindividuals orparentsto improve health and educational outcomes and strengthen community connections.

• Formallyreviewindividualinitialand ongoing goalplansevery90days.

Partner with participants for housing stability:

• Partner with participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper ID,evictionsand/or criminal record expungement, etc.

• Build relationships withproperty managementtofacilitateeffectivecommunication withparticipants tosecuringhousingas well as address andongoing tenancy concerns.

• Facilitate one on onetenancy educationwith each householdtounderstand their lease and know their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

• Partner with participants to obtain furniture and other necessary household items.

• Partner withparticipantsto address housekeeping needs.

• Partner with participants to prepare for independent housingwithout services.

Partner with program participants to increase financial stability:

• Partner with participants to access andmaintaingovernment benefits.
  

• Partner with participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.

• Explore banking, savings programs, debt management, credit counseling, and budgeting tools to achieve a sustainable financial life.

Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:

• Demonstrate the ability to work within a team setting, with an emphasis on leadership,
  self-initiative, patience, creativity,maturity,and tact.

• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend regular team meetings, other required meetings.

• Develop andmaintainpositive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants.

Completeaccurateand thorough documentation and recordkeepingin a timely manner:

• Maintain individual electronicClient Trackfiles, includingtimelydetailed case notes of each interaction.

• Maintainaccuraterecords including time sheets, credit card statements, clientexpenses,and mileage reimbursement.

Demonstrate essential knowledge,abilitiesand skills:

• Excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.

• Ability to take initiative, work well independently, and manage time

• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model

• Ability to communicate respectfully,positivelyand professionally with participants, providers, familymembersand others who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion

• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs

• Ability tomaintainconfidentiality

• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with participants, volunteers,staffand public

Pleasenotethis job description is not designed to cover orcontaina comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that arerequired ofthe employee for this job. Duties,responsibilitiesand activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Scope of Position

This positionoffersweekly in-home supportservicesto 15-20households, with an expectation of providing 15 hours of direct service each week.Thisposition works withhouseholdsreferredthrough Hennepin County Coordinated Entry. Participant populations may include those experiencing mental or chemical health issues, criminal histories, and domestic violence.

Employeemay provideback upfor othersupportspecialistduring periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.

Required Qualifications

Position Requirements:

• Drivers License and access to a safe,reliableand insured vehicle

• Possess strong computer skills, with experience in Microsoft Office.

• Demonstrateabilityto learn and usecomputerdatabase for client records.

Desired:

• Bachelors degree in human services, or related field.

• Minimum of 1-year experience in providing direct social services.

• Experience with low-income people, people experiencing homelessness, diverse populations, and those who have mental health, chemical use, and trauma histories.

Essential Mentaland PhysicalFunctions

The employee must draw on the ability to empathize, problem solve, and the ability to accept people unconditionally with an openness tonew ideas. Home visitation requires the employee to be aware of personal safety. Employees must be able to hear and speak to communicate with staff and participants in person, on the telephone and in writing. Employees must be able to move about the community and public places (such as apartment buildings). Employees must be able to lift 25 pounds on an occasional basis.