Navigator - Aurora Youth Program

Open Sky Community Services; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent supervision

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

403b Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Open Sky Community Services seeks a Navigator for the Aurora Youth Program in Worcester. You will provide intensive, person-centered case management, housing navigation, and independent-living support to about 25 young adults in SRO housing, coordinating with partners to promote stability and self-sufficiency.

You will assist with documentation, benefits access, transportation, education, and employment supports while maintaining confidentiality and collaborating with providers to ensure

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving history and reliable transportation required.
• Minimum of two years’ experience with homelessness, justice involvement, adults or young adults with behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or underserved populations.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage residents through regular, person-centered interactions to promote trust and independence.
• Provide ongoing housing navigation and support to promote housing stability.
• Assist residents with housing recertifications, documentation, applications, and correspondence.
• Support residents in developing skills for independent living, including budgeting and organization.
• Assist residents with obtaining essential personal documents needed for housing, employment, and education.
• Help residents with education and employment goals, including job applications and resumes.
• Coordinate crisis-response supports and communicate risk-related concerns to leadership.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries; participate in supervision and meetings.

Skills

Excellent communication

Documentation

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred in social work, psychology, human services, or related field

Job description

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Aurora Youth Program Navigator will provide intensive, person-centered case management, direct outreach, independent-living support, and community resource navigation to approximately 25 young adults residing in single-room occupancy units through the Aurora Youth Program.

The Navigator will work collaboratively with residents, property management, community partners, behavioral health and medical providers, educational institutions, workforce programs, and other service providers to promote housing stability, personal development, self-sufficiency, and successful transition to independent living.

The Navigator will provide consistent, in-person support to residents and assist them in identifying goals, accessing resources, addressing barriers, developing independent-living skills, and connecting with appropriate community-based services. The Navigator will also recognize when a resident’s needs exceed the scope of Navigator services and coordinate appropriate referrals and supports in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving history and reliable, insured transportation required.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working with or lived experience with homelessness, justice involvement, adults or young adults with behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, and/or underserved populations required. Experience working with young adults transitioning to independent living, housing programs, education, employment, or community-based services preferred.
• Excellent communication, documentation, time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills required. Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage residents through regular, consistent, and person-centered interactions that promote trust, self-determination, independence, and successful participation in the Aurora Youth Program.
• Provide ongoing housing navigation and support to promote housing stability and successful tenancy.
• Assist residents with housing recertifications, required documentation, applications, correspondence, and other housing-related responsibilities.
• Assist residents with identifying and applying for longer-term housing opportunities and connecting with appropriate housing resources and community partners.
• Support residents in developing skills necessary for successful independent living, including household management, organization, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and self-advocacy.
• Assist residents in obtaining identification, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other essential personal documents necessary to access housing, employment, education, benefits, and community services.
• Assist residents with enrollment and participation in high school completion, GED, college, vocational training, certificate programs, and other educational opportunities.
• Assist residents with employment searches, applications, résumé development, interview preparation, workforce-program connections, and other employment-related goals.
• Assist residents in identifying, applying for, and maintaining appropriate public benefits and community resources.
• Support residents in developing budgeting, financial literacy, money-management, and other skills that promote long-term financial stability and independence.
• Support residents in accessing and maintaining connections with medical, behavioral health, recovery, and other community-based services when appropriate. Work collaboratively with providers to support continuity of care and coordination of services.
• Recognize when a resident may need behavioral health or mental health services beyond the scope of Navigator services. Support the resident in identifying appropriate resources and facilitate referrals or connections to qualified providers in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Provide and coordinate crisis-response supports to residents as necessary and communicate potential risk-related concerns to program leadership in accordance with established program and Agency procedures.
• Assist residents with scheduling, preparing for, and accessing essential medical, behavioral health, recovery, housing, educational, employment, and community appointments and services.
• Provide temporary assistance with transportation to essential appointments and services while supporting residents in transitioning to sustainable community-based transportation resources.
• Participate in and support resident activities, groups, workshops, and programming designed to promote independent living, self-sufficiency, social connection, education, employment, wellness, and personal development.
• Maintain appropriate communication and collaboration with property management regarding resident needs, housing stability, program participation, and other matters consistent with resident confidentiality and Agency policies.
• Act as a liaison between residents, families when appropriate, community agencies, healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, educational institutions, employers, workforce programs, housing providers, and other community partners.
• Complete all required assessments and Support Plans according to prescribed timelines and specifications. Develop Support Plans collaboratively with residents and ensure services are consistent with identified goals and existing comprehensive care plans when applicable.
• Implement interventions identified in the resident’s Support Plan and document resident progress, services provided, referrals, and other relevant activities in accordance with Agency requirements.
• Complete all required documentation accurately, objectively, and within established timelines. Maintain a permanent record of activities and services provided.
• Communicate potential risk-related information and other pertinent information to program leadership according to established program and Agency procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries while treating all residents with dignity and respect regardless of ability status, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other individual characteristics.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, case consultations, trainings, and other assigned meetings. Seek supervisory guidance when resident needs exceed the Navigator’s scope of responsibility.
• Acquire and maintain all necessary training and certifications required for the position.
• Participate in the On-Call rotation, as required by the program and Agency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a full-time, fully in-person position. The Navigator will provide consistent on-site support to residents of the Aurora Youth Program.

Proposed Schedule:

• Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

The position is not eligible for a hybrid work schedule due to the need for consistent on-site availability and direct support to approximately 25 young adults residing in the program.

The Navigator will regularly work in residential, community, and other settings as necessary to support residents in achieving their goals.

Pay Range:

$22.07 - $22.07

About Us:

At Open Sky Community Services, we open our doors, hearts, and minds to the belief that every individual, regardless of perceived limitations, deserves the chance to live a productive and fulfilling life.

Open Sky is on an anti-racist journey, committed to learning, living, and breathing inclusion, opportunity, diversity, racial equity, and justice for ALL.

At Open Sky, you’ll join over 1,300 compassionate and highly trained professionals who put innovative, evidence-based practices to work in ways that positively impact our communities across Central Massachusetts and beyond.

As a trauma-informed organization, Open Sky strives for transparency and sensitivity to the experiences of those we interact with. Self-care is encouraged, and we are committed to providing a positive work culture that is focused on continuous learning and the value of diverse perspectives.

Open Sky is proud to be an industry leader in pay and benefits. Open the Door to Possibility and begin your career with Open Sky today!

Benefits of Working for Open Sky Include:

• Excellent Supervision (Individual and Group), Professional Development, and Training Opportunities
• Generous paid time off plan – you start with 29 days (almost 6 weeks!) in your first year, including 12 paid holidays. Increases to 32 days in your 2nd year, and the current maximum is 43 days (OVER 8 WEEKS!)
• We pay for your higher education! Ask about our Tuition Reimbursement Program, and reimbursement for a variety of Human Services certifications.
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Prescription Plan
• 403b Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance (100% Employer-Paid)
• Eligible employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• And more!

Open Sky celebrates diversity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with federal and state employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran, or disabled Veteran status.