Youth Peer - YDHP

HELP of Southern Nevada; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

HELP of Southern Nevada is seeking a Youth Services Specialist to support homeless youth and young adults in building self-advocacy, independent living skills, and housing stability. Under supervision, you will deliver direct care, connect participants to mental health, substance use treatment, employment, and education resources, and collaborate with program staff.

The role requires lived homelessness experience within the last 5 years, a High school diploma or GED, and flexibility to work in

Qualifications

• Lived homelessness within the last 5 years and able to apply that experience professionally.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Interact with youth using a professional, client-centered approach.
• Engage with youth as a peer, drawing on shared experiences.
• Provide trauma-informed support to promote empowerment.
• Assist with Coordinated Entry Assessment and housing readiness.
• Maintain progress notes and HMIS documentation daily.
• Coordinate with case managers across home, office, and community settings.
• Provide transportation and crisis intervention when needed.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Youth engagement

Documentation

Case coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We serve with care. Assisting families and individuals throughout Southern Nevada to overcome barriers and attain self-sufficiency through direct services, training and referral to community resources. Ending homelessness, one youth, one family, one individual at a time.

HOSN- Youth Services

Hours:

Tuesday- Friday 7:00am-5:00pm

Status:

Full Time - Hourly

Reports to:

Program Supervisor

Position Description:

This position supports youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in building self-advocacy, increasing independent living skills, achieving self-sufficiency, and maintaining stable housing. The role provides support to the SPARKS: Navigation and Diversion and Anchors Programs.

Must have lived homelessness experience or housing instability

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Program Supervisor, this position provides direct care services to youth experiencing homelessness.

• Interacts with youth by using a professional and client-centered approach.
• Engage with youth and young adults as a peer by drawing on shared experiences and modeling resilience and recovery.
• Use intentional, appropriate self-disclosure to build rapport, promote engagement, and support participant empowerment and growth.
• Conduct various assessments in the field and in an office setting to include Coordinated Entry Assessment Tool, Environmental Reviews, Housing Quality Standards etc.
• Advocates for participants using a trauma-informed approach that promotes empowerment, choice, and self-advocacy.
• Teaches life skills necessary to obtain and maintain housing such as tenancy skills, budgeting, leases, utilities set up, etc.
• Connect participants to supportive services, including mental health, physical health, substance use treatment, employment, and education
• Collaborate with case managers to provide coordinated, person-centered support in joint sessions in home, office, and community-based settings.
• Assist the youth in obtaining vital identification documents.
• Provides transportation to appointments when necessary
• Provides crisis intervention as needed
• Participating in staff development activities
• Maintain thorough and accurate progress notes, files, and correspondence while preserving tenant confidentiality; address client issues and concerns effectively; and enter case notes into HMIS in real time each day to reflect client progress and activities.
• Maintain clear boundaries with all participants and providers.
• All other job-related duties as assigned by management for the needs of the business

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Experience and understanding of homeless at-risk youth issues
• Communicate effectively with people from a variety of social, cultural and sensitivity to culturally diverse populations
• Effective written, verbal and listening skills. Independently initiates and responds to correspondence
• Ability to maintain order and exercise appropriate judgment in crisis situations
• Is flexible and can adjust to shifting priorities and organize work schedule and budget time
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with residents, fellow employees, other agencies and the public
• Understand and follow all agency policies and procedures
• General computer knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office software
• Ability to work flexible hours

Required Qualifications:

• Lived experience with homelessness required within the last 5 years, with the ability to apply that experience in a professional, trauma-informed, and person-centered manner.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an indoor/outdoor environment with driving required at times. May be subject to sitting, lifting, bending, squatting, walking, standing, pushing and pulling, simple grasping and climbing.