Youth Program Intern

Safe Place for Youth; California (MO); On-site; USD 13,776 - 20,664; Part time

Job summary

Safe Place for Youth in Venice, CA, offers a 200-hour Youth Program Intern internship in the Access Center. This part-time role provides on-the-job training, a professional development curriculum, and support in pursuing long-term employment.

Under supervision, you will participate in orientation, assist with drop-in services, conduct intakes, and help connect youth to housing, mental health, education and employment resources.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a current Safe Place for Youth member receiving services.
• Valid Driver’s License or State ID required.
• Willingness to learn and work in a trauma-informed, housing-first environment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in SPY orientation and ongoing in-service training.
• Assist with drop-in center services and frontline duties.
• Conduct housing and other intakes under supervision and refer youth to services.
• Develop case plans and support youth toward housing, education, and employment goals.
• Document information in HMIS/SPY databases and complete required records.

Skills

Active listening

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Initiative

Effective communication

Welcoming attitude

Diversity respect

Job description

Description

JOB TITLE

Youth Program Intern

REPORTS TO:

Director of Access and Engagement

LOCATION:

Venice, CA, Access Center, On-site

STATUS:

Part-time, 10-15 hours per week, (200 hours total), Non-Exempt

DRIVER POSITION

No [If yes, please reference driving policy]

SALARY RANGE:

$20.00 per hour

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that values community collaboration, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of youth. If you have the skills, passion, and collaborative spirit, join our growing team

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The 200-hour-long internship will offer participants on-the-job training, a professional development curriculum, and support in identifying and transitioning into long-term employment. Interns will be placed in the Access Center (SPY’s Drop-in Center on Lincoln Blvd). In addition to department-specific responsibilities, all interns will engage in SPY’s Career Series, which includes training in resume writing, workplace communication, digital literacy, and job readiness. Interns graduate with updated resumes, job references, and practical experience that prepares them to pursue external employment, education, or continued leadership as Peer Advocates. The internship program also serves as a pipeline into SPY’s other services; all interns are offered support in accessing housing, clinical care, and education & employment services.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Participate in SPY's orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff and volunteers as needed
• Use a trauma-informed, housing-first model when working with youth.
• Actively participate in case management activities and team discussions to build knowledge and practical skills.
• Develop authentic, positive, and supportive relationships with SPY members and staff, building rapport and providing direct support during Access Center drop-in hours. Interns will increase their understanding of available services, resources, and coordinated care approaches.
• Support the SPY Access Center Team by handling frontline duties, including facilitating drop-in center services. (clothing closet, showers, laundry, meals)
• Under the supervision of SPY Mentor, conduct Access Center and Housing intakes, assess needs, and refer new youth to pertinent services/programs such as housing, mental health, benefits, education, and employment as needed. Develop individualized case plans that outline goals related to housing, education, employment, wellness, financial stability, and other identified areas of need.
• Collect and assess ongoing information to support participant safety, well‑being, and measurable progress toward established goals.
• Work within the Coordinated Entry System (CES), utilizing HMIS and SPY Database to track and record Drop-in and Housing Case Management data.
• Under the supervision of the SPY management, complete and submit all required forms, case records, statistical reports, and related documentation within established timelines. This includes timely and accurate data entry for case and service plans, progress notes, youth agreements, resident progress trackers, and any other required records.
• Support SPY outreach team in conducting outreach and tracking new members, as needed.
• Attend SPY drop-in center and housing team meetings.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

SKILLS YOU’LL NEED:

• Must be at least 18 years of age. This is required.
• Must be a current Safe Place for Youth member receiving services. This is required.
• Valid Driver’s License or State ID is required.
• Active listener; uses reflection techniques when working with others to learn their needs and interests.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment; willing to work as part of a team. Collaborative and efficient problem‑solving.
• Takes initiative; sets high standards for personal and team performance.
• Open to learning; willing to take a patient and consistent approach to one’s own development and growth.
• Takes direction easily and responds well to feedback.
• Thoughtful communicator; seeks to provide feedback in constructive ways.
• Welcoming personality; able to encourage and promote group and service participation.
• Is authentic and respectful of other members’ authenticity; appreciates diverse perspectives.
• Able to maintain a safe atmosphere for all people in the SPY environment.
• Willingness to work with folks of diverse experiences and backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: In an effort to stem the significant increase in COVID-19 positive tests as a result of the Delta variant, the State Health Officer has issued an order, which went into effect on August 9, 2021, requiring paid and unpaid workers of homeless services organizations to provide proof of vaccination and/or booster (if eligible for the booster shot) or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing if still not fully vaccinated. Please send proof of vaccination to [e-mail]. Failure to provide proof of vaccination will require the candidate to produce a negative test result within 72 hours of their first day of employment and commit to weekly testing. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, contact HR at [e-mail]. Please be mindful that these accommodations are limited in nature.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record.

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the ?rst three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will.

Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS: