Full-Time Youth Engagement Specialist

Sasha Bruce Youthwork; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Sasha Bruce Youthwork in Washington, DC is seeking a Full-Time Youth Engagement Specialist to support young families in building community relationships and achieving independence. Responsibilities include providing supervision, facilitating activities, and supporting youth with life skills. Ideal candidates will have a High School Diploma or GED, relevant experience, and strong communication skills. Join a diverse team committed to helping families thrive after program completion.

Qualifications

• 2 to 3 years of relevant experience in Human Services or related field.
• Experience working with adolescents, infants, and toddlers (0-2 years) is required.
• Strong spoken and written English language skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site supervision and crisis intervention to youth.
• Support recreational and educational activities.
• Maintain supervision of the house and enforce rules.
• Engage youth in daily activities and build life skills.
• Facilitate life-skills groups on positive social development.
• Conduct regular house inspections and maintain documentation.
• Oversee safety and cleanliness of the house.

Skills

Positive behavior modification techniques

Effective de-escalation skills

Problem-solving skills

Customer service skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Driver's License

Job description

Olaiya's Cradle Program

Olaiya's Cradle is a transitional independent living program for young moms between the ages of 18–24 and their children. The program serves families with one child up to the age of two and accepts mothers as early as the third trimester of pregnancy. Residents receive on‑site case management, counseling, and life‑skills education through group sessions. The program has a capacity of 6 mothers and 6 children and retains participants for 18–24 months before transitioning them to independent apartments.

Full‑Time Youth Engagement Specialist

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM–11:00 PM EST.

Job Summary

The Youth Engagement Specialist supports young families in building relationships, becoming familiar with their community, achieving goals, and progressing toward independence and self‑sufficiency so that families thrive after program completion.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide on‑site supervision while maintaining professional boundaries and crisis intervention and counseling services to youth in residence.
• With direction from the Program Manager, help plan, direct, and/or support recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that align with treatment or permanency goals.
• Answer and record all phone calls and visitors, maintain supervision of the house, and enforce house rules while ensuring resident safety.
• Work collaboratively with other SBY staff, programs, families, and agencies to help youth develop or follow through on individual service plan goals.
• Engage youth in a variety of activities from breakfast through bedtime, supporting them in achieving daily goals, and engaging them in productive dialogue, building life skills, and problem solving.
• Facilitate life‑skills groups on topics of interest to teens related to positive social and emotional development.
• Conduct regular house inspections inside the building and in the area immediately outside, and check individual rooms routinely.
• Maintain necessary documentation, including but not limited to, legible, comprehensive, and accurate reports of house activities in the house log, etc.
• Oversee the safety and cleanliness of the house, coordinate and manage residents’ daily chores, and perform light janitorial duties such as sweeping, mopping, taking out trash. Advise the Program Manager of building maintenance needs. Must be willing to assist with housekeeping duties.
• Carry out emergency fire evacuation and emergency procedures in case of an illness or accident.
• Assist with shift coverage when schedule gaps occur due to staff shortage.
• Attend scheduled family activities and field trips.
• Participate in regular supervision and staff meetings.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED with 2 to 3 years’ relevant experience in Human Services or a related field. Prior experience working with adolescents/young adults, infants, and toddlers 0–2 years old required.

• Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques, model effective de‑escalation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong spoken and written English language skills, including report writing.
• Possess a valid Driver’s License, pass required DC clearances (and other states as applicable).
• Experience working with youth, teens, and families dealing with trauma, crisis, and community stress.
• Great work ethic, excellent time management, efficiency, problem‑solving, and customer service skills.
• Possess good organizational skills, the ability to multitask, maintain confidentiality, and be detail‑oriented.
• Ability to work extra hours, attend mandatory meetings/training (Held Monday through Friday) as required.

EEO Statement

Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is also committed to comply with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.