Youth Outreach Specialist - East Connect Program

New Avenues for Youth; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

PTO 5 weeks + 1 extra year 2

Discounted gym memberships

Free counseling services

Job summary

New Avenues for Youth seeks an Outreach Specialist to guide youth facing houselessness, connecting them with resources and services in East Portland. You will support youth pathways toward healthy, independent lives through compassionate outreach, advocacy, and coordination with local providers.

Your role emphasizes consistent presence, relationship-building, and empowerment, with ongoing opportunities for growth within a supportive team and a strong equity framework.

Responsibilities

• Build genuine connections with youth and East Portland community through outreach and service coordination with partners.
• Empower youth to navigate complex systems, access resources, and make informed decisions about their journeys.
• Lead recreational activities, outreach in stationary and street settings, and provide referrals to foster personal development.
• Maintain accurate records to help programs thrive and serve those in need.

Job description

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives? New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient Outreach Specialist to join our East Connect team.

As an Outreach Specialist, you'll be a consistent and intentional guide for youth navigating difficult paths. Your unique perspective, experience, and resilience will foster opportunity and empower young people to be more prepared and resourced to move through challenging moments and reach their unique goals.

Join New Avenues and…

• Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
• Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
• Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
• Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
• Generous holiday, personal, and paid time off (PTO) allowances to support your work-life balance and personal needs. Roughly five weeks of available time in year one with an additional week added in year two.
• Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

Who You Are:

(Examples provided below. This will vary by position.)

• Experienced: You have faced and overcome challenges related to substance use, mental health, and/or houselessness. Your experience is a source of strength and fuels your compassion and care.
• Compassionate Listener: You offer empathy without judgment, creating a safe space for young people to share their stories and struggles.
• Reliable Advocate: You are committed to showing up consistently, building trust, and following through on your promises to young people.
• Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth you serve.
• Equity: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You approach this world with humility and a deep sense of growth and learning.

What You'll Do:

(Examples provided below. This will vary by position).

• Build Community: Build genuine connections with youth and community in East Portland through outreach, resource navigation, and service coordination with community partners.
• Empower Through Advocacy: Help young people navigate complex systems, access resources, collaborate and coordinate with other providers, and make informed decisions about their own journey.
• Support Growth and Learning: Lead recreational activities, stationary, and street outreach, provide referrals and education around current services that foster connection and personal development.
• Document the Journey: Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring that our programs have the data they need to thrive and continue serving those who need it most.

Qualifications:

(Examples provided below. This will vary by position.)

• Relevant prior work experience, lived experience, or both. A Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology or related human services field a plus.
• Experience working with youth who face multiple barriers.
• Coordinate and conduct stationary and street-based outreach activities with other team members, providers, and community
• Produce digital engagement tools, like videos, social media posts, and more.
• Excellent communication, organization, creativity, flexibility, optimism, positive humor and overall interpersonal skills.
• Ability and desire to work with diverse staff and youth and to excel in a multi-cultural environment.
• A valid driver’s license along with regular access to an insured automobile.
• Must be willing to be CPR trained and certified
• Ability to assess risk in varying environments and respond accordingly using a triage model

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.