Direct Support Professional/Residential Mentor - Youth Transitional Housing (YTH)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP)/Youth Residential Mentor

Youth Temporary Housing Program (YTH)

Supervisor: Operations Manager 

Program Area: Youth Transitional Housing

Department : Homeless Intervention Services  

General Description

The Direct Support Professional will serve as a Client Mentor in our newly approved Youth Transitional Housing Program.  DSP/Client Mentor will provide essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision of the shelter and its clients. This position is responsible for the welfare, safety, and comfort, as well as daily support to the youth clients ages 18 -24 years old who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. Additionally, clients may be economically and/or emotionally detached from their support network. Through this work, the client mentor will help youth improve basic life and interpersonal skills, access educational opportunities, assist with job preparation and attainment, access physical and mental health care, and obtain stable housing. The client mentor helps to create an environment in which youth are empowered to achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency possible. While participating in this program, clients will live at a site-based transitional housing program, located in Washington, DC.

The DSP/Client Mentor will provide crisis intervention and behavior modification supports to include active listening, redirection and mediation.  The incumbent is required to stay awake, alert and always engaged during shift. All employees are expected to demonstrate the organizational values and sensitivity to the diversity of the organization’s client base.

In conjunction with our commitment to public safety and the requirements of many contracts, KBEC has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy which requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccination and booster in accordance with applicable law. Medical or religious accommodation may be requested but must be approved by the DC Department of Health and presented to KBEC prior to hire.  Those approved for such exemption, must demonstrate a negative COVID-19 official test results as requested periodically by KBEC.

Essential Job Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with known disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work in partnership with the Shelter Coordinator, Case Managers and other staff to:

Assist clients with housing searches and meeting their independent living and permanent housing goals.

• Assist clients with their application(s) for assistance with essential services and/or I.D. card, Social Security card, SNAP, Medicaid/Medical insurance, and birth certificate and other essential documents.
• Assist clients in career planning, education and job search processes and accessing psychosocial support services in alignment with their case plans.
• Assist clients in building activities of daily living (ADLs) in support of their housing and independent living goals.

• Ensure the safety and security of clients, volunteers, visitors, and staff by communicating client expectations and conducting internal and external perimeter checks during shift.
• Conduct room and personal property inspections as required by the program rules and KBEC site management and observation checks.
• Follow agency and shelter protocols for documenting and reporting incidents.
• Promptly and effectively respond to potential emergencies which may occur at the shelter by following agency and shelter protocols, including the immediate evacuation of the campus buildings as needed.
• Conduct new client orientation to ensure understanding of Program Rules, client expectations, policies and procedures.
• Understand and effectively respond to client needs.
• Participate in regular supervision with Shelter Coordinator and by providing regular updates, status reports and program notes.
• Maintain client files and manage data in accordance with program requirements and KBEC Group, Inc. guidelines.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on shelter programs, i.e.. HMIS, DHS Smart Sheets, etc.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders, including DHS, partners, volunteers, contractors, and donors.
• Assist clients and cleaning staff to maintain cleanliness and good upkeep of shelter and grounds; this includes sweeping, mopping, laundry, and cleaning the shelter, including supporting the maintenance team.
• May be required to drive agency vehicle  to transport and other services as needed. Must present a valid driver’s license, satisfactory driver’s record background, and drug/alcohol screening. 

Key Duties

This position serves as the front-line of contact to support each client’s basic living and community skills (e.g., social, domestic, transportation, vocation, and hygiene) through instruction and encouragement using a person-centered process of providing services to the person served.

• Assist and document the development and implementation of long and short-term goals for person under the supervision or direction of the case manager.

• Develop and maintain a positive and effective relationship with clients, families, staff, administration, case management, and other service providers and assist in coordinating with any and all their needs regarding securing permanent housing.
• Provide individualized assistance regarding skill building and training, consistent with established case planning goals and to ensure client compliance with housing and community- related regulations and rules.
• Establish new and maintain existing partnerships with community-based agencies for the purpose of serving clients.
• Ensure the integrity and confidentiality of all client information.
• Complete documentation and reports in a timely manner. This includes, but is not limited to, progress notes, program logs, Unusual Incident Reports, etc.
• Establish new and maintain existing partnerships with community-based agencies for the purpose of serving youth clients.
• Address client’s conduct issues in a manner that is aligned with the Strength-Based and the Person-In-Environment approach to providing services.
• Provide crisis intervention services and, if necessary, ensure that the case management team is aware of any need for additional clinical support.
• Participate in KBEC Group special events, helping to share information about KBEC Group and working, as needed, to ensure event success.
• Participant and successful complete all trainings, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED (required).
• Minimum 1 year of experience of youth-related work, to include working with youth who are experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and substance abuse.
• Successful completion of background checks is required prior to hire, which includes a TB test, CJIS (FBI) clearance, DC Police Clearance, drug and alcohol screen and a health and wellness general screening by a nurse practitioner or physician and active CPR/First Aid Certification.  These documents must be presented prior to hire and must be maintained and updated annually. 
• Experience working with transition-aged youth is preferred.
• Sensitivity to the needs of youth (particularly youth of color, LGBTQ, low-income, and those who have experienced trauma) who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
• Familiarity with the Strengths-Based and Housing First approaches to case management.
• Well-versed in trauma-informed service delivery, with experience executing this approach in housing programs.
• Ability to provide services with empathy and with consideration of how trauma impacts the mental, physical, and psychological responses of clients.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with youth who have experienced mental health challenges, trauma, crisis, and community stress and successfully empower them to overcome their challenges.
• Ability to establish and maintain trusting mentorship relationships demonstrating confidentiality, respect, patience and perseverance.
• Ability to establish and maintain balanced professional boundaries with clients.
• Ability to de-escalate crises and provide restorative intervention and mediations.
• Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving abilities. An upbeat demeanor is required.
• Working knowledge of DC area community resources to address client needs.
• Knowledge of substance abuse/recovery, family systems, and mental health care.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong documentation, reporting and computer literacy skills.  
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize effectively while managing multiple tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to make judgements that will impact on the lives of others, sometimes in challenging circumstances or with extreme effects

Work Environment/Physical Effort

• The DSP/Client Mentor will primarily work from a site-based transitional housing program in Washington, DC, which operates 24 hours, 7 days weekly. Employees here will require flexibility to workday, afternoon or night and/or weekend shifts on a regular basis.
• Requires ability to sit up to 3-6 hours per day with intermittent occasional walking and standing.
• Must be available to participate in after hours on-call rotation, as well as be on call during inclement weather.
• Ability to sit/stand for prolonged periods
• Ability to lift 20-30 pounds
• Must be able to operate equipment (e.g. washing machines, dishwasher, copier machines, basic maintenance tools (hand tools, light power tools, lawn mowers, trimmers, hand trucks)
• Serve as an advocate and good role model to clients.  Maintain current certification as required by program training requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to internal/external persons.  Ability to read, write, analyze and interpret English in order to understand general policies and guidelines and complete necessary documentation standards of the position.  Ability to write reports and complete tracking forms efficiently.  Good record keeping and organization skills required.  Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to one hundred and seventy-five pounds with assistance.

Salary Range:   $18.70- $22.00 per hour