Community Engagement Specialist

All Covenant House Alaska program staff work as advocates and allies for youth experiencing homelessness and human trafficking. The Youth Engagement Specialist Relief (YES Relief) provides and ensures high quality trauma-informed service delivery in many aspects of youth care through direct supervision, management, and program development in a variety of community programs including Covenant House Alaska (CHA) residential services or through drop‑in services. The YES Relief will build intentional relationships with youth, engage them in a variety of programming and work through their stages of change in order to drive toward long‑term positive outcomes. YES Relief employees are required to work at least 20 hours per month. They may work up to 30 hours per week with additional hours approved as program or agency needs change. YES Relief employees who are only available during certain periods of the year and plan to maintain a per diem employment status must have this approved by their supervisor and maintain the 20‑hour monthly requirements during their available periods. Essential Functions Understand, practice, and promote the vision, mission, and five principles of Covenant House Alaska. Expected to have actual, intentional contact with assigned youth every shift. Relentlessly show up and be present in young people’s lives, especially through times of adversity. Engage youth in appropriate educational, vocational, and life skill programming. Work with team to plan and implement engagement activities. Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with the general public, including placement agencies and families of the youth we serve. Provide face‑to‑face support and intervention in multiple settings including but not limited to residential services and non‑residential services. Maintain a high level of ethical standards. Demonstrate an enthusiastic commitment to the job and the agency. Ensure the safety and whereabouts of youth seen by CHA at all times. Provide security of the building, including the surrounding area. Maintain Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database through daily data entry of all work with participants. Provide trauma‑informed, individualized services to youth in residence based on the assigned program’s procedures: Build intentional, positive relationships and engage assigned youth to ensure they are fully supported throughout the shift. Document in youth files or as dictated by program need. Assist Youth in taking steps to accomplish agreed upon goals outlined in collaborative Success Plans. Establish and maintain contact with all community agencies as outlined on the Success Plan. Perform intakes, discharges, answer the telephones, and assist in the operating needs of program. Participate in team meetings, staff trainings and other opportunities for professional development. Keep supervisor fully informed at all times. Perform other duties as assigned. Meet the following performance minimums: Work 20 hours per month. Complete training at the Core Residential Programs (YEC, ROP, and MACK House). Complete or renew annual agency mandatory trainings. Complete 15 hours of approved training annually (CPR and program training excluded). Check in with supervisor once per month. Complete required assessments, introductory and bi‑annually. Qualifications Bachelor’s in a human or social services related degree is strongly preferred. Experience can substitute for educational requirement on a year‑for‑year basis. Two years’ experience working with adolescent or disadvantaged populations in relevant human services, medical, educational, legal, or closely related positions is required; life, volunteer, and internship experience will be considered. Lived experience of homelessness considered an asset. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required Understand and comply with all agency policies and procedures, including child protection policies. Understand and comply with all principles of trauma‑informed care. Willingness to acquire basic concepts in care coordination for adolescents and young adults and incorporate into service‑provision. Is approachable, relatable, builds rapport well, and practices active listening with individuals of varied cultural backgrounds, embracing differences in behavior and lifestyle choices. Knowledge of crisis intervention and ability to address conflict between youth exhibiting challenging behaviors; able to respond quickly and safely while continuing to be a settling influence in crisis situations and emergencies. High degree of sensitivity to and respect for diversity and cultural issues involved in working with individuals of varying ethnicities and income. Understand and implement best practices in the areas of prevention, recognition, and response to suspected and identified victims of human trafficking. Willingness to engage with partner human trafficking service agencies and law enforcement. Understand the intersectionality of youth homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, human trafficking and poverty. Can maintain confidentiality while understanding and complying with requirements of mandated reporting, duty to warn, HIPAA, and other limits to confidentiality. Willingness to utilize training opportunities in support of personal and professional growth, competence development, and to increase overall capacity to serve youth every day. Proficient with standard computer operating systems. Ability to navigate Microsoft Office Suite, online databases, and other programs and websites as required. Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours as well as holidays and weekends as needed. Willingness and ability to attain a CPR/First Aid certification. As needed by program possess a current and valid driver’s license Driving record assessed through CHA’s Drivers Acceptability Matrix. Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations. Working Conditions Position will work in a variety of settings, both inside and outside (program dependent), and at times inclement weather (snow, rain, etc.). Position will work within both program and residential areas of designed facility. Must be able to manage traversing a wide variety of different terrains and gradient levels in order to meet youth within a wide variety of environments. Noise level is mild to moderate, consistent with office and residential environments. Must have the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Must have the ability to observe details within close range. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time. Must be able to move within the office to access files and office equipment. Consistently operates a computer and related office machinery. Must be able to ascend/descend stairways to monitor the space within a two‑story building with and possibly without the assistance of an elevator. Regularly moves items up to 40 pounds while ascending/descending stairways to assist residents moving in and out of the building. Covenant House is an Equal Opportunity Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr