Full-Time Youth Engagement Specialist

Sasha Bruce Youthwork; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Sasha Bruce Youthwork seeks a Youth Engagement Specialist to serve adolescents and young adults affected by homelessness, gang involvement, and survival sex. The role includes outreach, crisis intervention, daily living supports, and life skills education, coordinating with the Drop-In Center and partner agencies.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed care, harm-reduction principles, and positive youth development to meet a wide range of needs and support long-term stability for youth.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in social services preferred; BSW or similar degree favored.
• At least 2 years of experience in social services.
• Personal street-survival experience with 3+ years separation.
• Understanding of harm reduction and trauma-informed practices.
• Flexible schedule including some weekends/evenings.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate daily activities in the Drop-In Center and assist clients with food, showers, and laundry.
• Coordinate supportive services with Drop-In Center staff.
• Conduct intake and orientation for new clients.
• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy for homeless youth.
• Engage youth using trauma-informed, harm-reduction approaches.
• Arrange access to daily living needs and transport as needed.
• Maintain data entry and case records; participate in trainings and supervision.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Harm reduction

Positive youth development

Case management

Bilingual English/Spanish

Crisis Intervention

Education

Associates degree in social services

BSW preferred

Tools

Data management systems

Computer literacy

Job description

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

The SBY Youth Engagement Specialists provide comprehensive services to adolescents and young adults impacted by homelessness and involved in street activities (gangs, violence, drug use/sale and survival sex). Services provided by the youth engagement specialists include, assistance in case management tasks, outreach, crisis intervention, daily living services (food, shower, respite), triage counseling, recreational activities, support groups and life skills education classes and activities. The youth engagement specialist coordinates with the Drop-In Center director, case manager and other supporting programs and local agencies to provide short and long term care necessary to meet the wide range of needs related to homeless and disconnected youth.

Full Time Youth Engagement Specialist

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

The SBY Youth Engagement Specialists provide comprehensive services to adolescents and young adults impacted by homelessness and involved in street activities (gangs, violence, drug use/sale and survival sex). Services provided by the youth engagement specialists include, assistance in case management tasks, outreach, crisis intervention, daily living services (food, shower, respite), triage counseling, recreational activities, support groups and life skills education classes and activities. The youth engagement specialist coordinates with the Drop-In Center director, case manager and other supporting programs and local agencies to provide short and long term care necessary to meet the wide range of needs related to homeless and disconnected youth.

Essential Job Functions

• Facilitate daily activities in the Drop-In Center and provide concrete support to clients, including preparation and/or service of food, access to shower and laundry facilities, etc.


• Work in collaboration with other SBY Drop In Center staff to coordinate supportive services for assigned clients


• Intake and orientation for individuals seeking assistance


• Crisis intervention


• Engagement of youth into program structure, using a trauma-informed, harm reduction philosophy and the principles of positive youth development


• Provide wellness and recreational engagement activities, as assigned


• Facilitate life skills education activities and classes, as assigned


• Perform reparative interventions as part of a harm reduction approach


• Facilitate access to daily living needs (food, clothes, hygiene supplies, space to rest)


• Providing advocacy and information to homeless youth in accessing resources


• Mediation of client conflicts


• Street outreach to homeless and street involved young people, as assigned


• Escort youth to appropriate services and provide transportation as part of case plan, as assigned


• Maintain routine administrative responsibilities to include data entry, the preparation of correspondence, maintaining files, mail, email, and telephone.


• Participate in staff trainings, staff meetings and staff group process workshops.


• Participate in weekly supervision and case conferencing

Position Requirements

• minimum of Associates degree in social services or a related field is desirable; BSW or similar degree is preferred


• minimum of 2 year experience working in a social services setting, OR


• Personal experience with street survival activities (homelessness, gangs, drug economy, sex industry) with three years separation from involvement in these activities. Deep understanding of the relationship between personal experience and professional standards.


• Understanding of harm reduction philosophy , trauma-informed provision of services and positive youth development strategies;


• Genuine interest in working with disenfranchised youth and young adults;


• Flexible schedule - position will require some weekend and evening hours;


• Bilingual skills (English and Spanish) are a plus;


• Experience working with LGBTQ youth is a plus;


• Strong communication and organization skills;


• Dynamic energy, able to multi-task and negotiate multiple demands on attention;


• Ability to translate positive youth development techniques into practice;


• Ability to deal with a multicultural and diverse setting;


• Basic understanding of computer and data base systems for managing case records;


• Ability to complete FBI Background check, Police Clearance, Child Protection Clearance, and Driving Clearance

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.