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 staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting LGBTQ youth, including experience working with high risk youth (specific work with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or runaway youth a plus).
• A passion for the Center's work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in related field, specifically working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness or Bachelor's Degree (Social Work, Social Services, Public Health or related field).
• Experience with substance abuse/mental health case management and crisis intervention.
• Be able and willing to work flexible hours which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to work with a high acuity population and able to de-escalate threatening/volatile situations with clients.
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with uncooperative clients.
• Ability to apply principles of professional boundaries and ethics to on the job situations.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with youth and demonstrate active (reflective listening).
• Ability to engage youth in activities and facilitate workshops.
• Bilingual skills, a plus (English/Spanish fluency preferred, American Sign Language fluency, a plus).
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical/physical/mental condition, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical condition, age, marital status, or veteran status.

The Center requires that all staff working in Health Services clinical site locations receive the most up-to-date Influenza vaccinations and strongly recommends that staff also receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Staff not working at any of the Center's clinical sites are encouraged to receive the latest COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines but are not required to do so. For more information, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.