Youth Engagement Specialist - Various Shifts Available

Covenant House California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 19,800 - 24,200; Full time

Job summary

Covenant House California in Los Angeles is seeking Youth Engagement Specialists to support young people facing homelessness and complex needs. In this role, you'll provide essential supervision, crisis intervention, and teach life skills to youth aged 18-24. Candidates must possess strong communication skills, relevant education, and experience.

The position requires applicants to be at least 25 years old and to create a safe, inclusive environment. CHC values teamwork and innovation as part of our multi-disciplinary approach.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience working with youth ages 18-24.
• Must have a valid CA driver’s license and good driving record.
• Knowledge in Adolescent Development, Crisis Intervention, and Trauma Informed Care.

Responsibilities

• Build rapport with youth and act as a positive role model.
• Provide welcoming, engaging, and professional phone and door coverage.
• Lead groups and workshops on skill building and healthy choices.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Self-starter

Team player

Computer literate (Word, Outlook, Excel)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field preferred

High School Diploma required

Tools

Telephones

Handheld two-way communication radio

Computers

Job description

Pay Rate: $22.25 per hour

Position Summary

Youth Engagement Specialists (YES) are an essential and core position on our residential team. CHC is looking for passionate, qualified Youth Engagement Specialists who are skilled in supporting youth who have experienced homelessness and human trafficking, have experienced trauma, identify as LGBTQ+, are gender non-conforming, and/or who often face multiple issues and have complex needs. Youth Engagement Specialists will have knowledge and/or experience utilizing a strengths-based, harm reduction framework, using trauma-informed practices and will value working within a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe inclusive environment for all.

All CHC staff work together to facilitate safety and comprehensive programming for youth in our housing programs. Youth Engagement Specialists facilitate the day-to-day operations and duties, provide essential supervision and support, including triage of door and phones, assessing safety, preventing, and managing crises, upholding programmatic policy and procedure, documentation, light cleaning and building maintenance, as well as being a positive adult role model that relentlessly engages with our youth.

Overnight shifts are awake, and staff must complete overnight checklist to ensure facility is prepared for next day.

As this position provides direct care to young people that are 18-24 years old, we require that applicants are at least 25 years old.

Essential Functions

1. Build rapport with youth and act as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining and facilitating healthy boundaries.
2. Work directly with youth doing triage (i.e., field questions, enquire on needs, clarify the problem, etc.)
3. Direct supervision of youth on-site, on outings and during meetings and appointments in the community.
4. Provide welcoming, engaging, and professional phone and door coverage to include answering and responding to incoming crisis, business information, resource, and referral inquiries.
5. Crisis prevention and intervention while adhering to agency protocol for responding, reporting, and seeking support.
6. Teach basic life skills such as personal hygiene, household cleaning, and interpersonal interactions, in a manner that is compassionate to each youth’s situation.
7. Be a proactive and involved team member and encourage youth to participate in activities.
8. Lead groups and workshops on skill building and healthy choices.
9. Develop knowledge of the current community resources available to youth.
10. Inspect common areas of the housing program for cleanliness daily.
11. Maintain consistent communication with the multidisciplinary team by preparing clear and concise shift notes, logs and critical incident reports.
12. Maintain safety awareness of situations and spaces.
13. Attend trainings, meetings, and supervision check-ins as assigned.
14. Be timely and present at all scheduled meetings, trainings, and shifts.
15. Perform day to day operations and duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
16. Provide supervision of the program, including oversight and maintenance of the various areas of the facility.
17. Function as Person in Charge (PIC), as designated.
18. As needed, collaborate with outreach team to ensure addition of new youth referrals to shelter waitlist and keep waitlist updated with youth communication. This includes documented efforts to locate youth, support them onsite or via phone/email, as well as outreach opportunities in the community as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field preferred or equivalent experience in residential program. High School Diploma required.

Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience working with youth ages 18-24.

Skills: Must be well organized and have strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be computer literate (Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.) Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, youth, vendors, and the community.

Transportation: Must have a valid CA driver’s license and good driving record. May need to transport clients/staff if required using agency transportation.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. General business/office/shelter environment. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion, bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time. As we are open 24/7, Staff are required to work one weekend day, and holiday work may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Knowledge/Training: Has and/or willing to obtain training and knowledge in the following areas: Adolescent Development, Crisis Intervention, Multi-Cultural Awareness, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and CPR & FIRST AID.

Supervisory Duties: Not Applicable. This position does not supervise other staff members.

Equipment Used: Telephones, handheld two-way communication radio, computers, computer peripherals, and basic word processing, email, and internet programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Covenant House California (CHC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. CHC is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at CHC are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, family or parental status, disability status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. CHC will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

Covenant House California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations. If you require accommodation due to a disability to complete this application or to participate in other aspects of the hiring process for which you have received an invitation, please reach out to our HR team at 1-323-461-3131, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time or email us at [e-mail].