Interim Outreach Youth Advocate

JOB TITLE: Interim Outreach Youth Advocate

REPORTS TO: Outreach Program Supervisor

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (9:00am-5:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

DURATION: 4 months (W/ possibility of extending or becoming permanent)

STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hrs/wk, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [if yes, please reference driving policy]

SALARY RANGE: $21.00-$22.00/hr

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 so that they can thrive, not just survive. 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 is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Outreach Youth Advocates are a part of a Network with the Department of Mental Health Initiative to function as

leaders in designing and advocating for healthy and racially equitable communities. As a Community Ambassador I at

SPY you will support the goal to improve young people holistically through different services, activities and

engagements. Utilizing an equity centered community design you will provide support and services to youth

experiencing trauma.

As a member of the Community Outreach and Engagement team, the Outreach Youth Liaison will specialize in

connecting to street-based youth during street outreach sessions and provide a warm welcome when they arrive at

the Access Center to receive services.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Provide outreach services. attend events to connect creatively with street based youth, ensuring that they are connected to essential services.
• Provide strengths-based and trauma informed member support during drop-in services and programming to increase knowledge of available services and resources.
• Greet and build rapport with SPY members, helping them connect to services, programs and partners
• Establish authentic, positive, and supportive relationships with members to aid them in appropriate use of
• resources, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed care and social services
• Act as a liaison on behalf of community members to follow-up with a wide variety of community partners
• Attend regular professional development workshops, seminars, and trainings internally and externally
• Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while adhering to all SPY policies and procedures
• Input and collect program data, including case notes, services plans or other documentation
• Represent SPY through professional engagement at internal and external meetings
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, or any relayed field is preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience providing direct services to the homeless populations is required.
• 1-2 years of experience working in the social services field is required.
• Working knowledge of the HMIS/CES systems is preferred.
• Former members and those with lived experience of being unhoused are encouraged to apply.
• A commitment to and a passion for the mission, vision, values, and culture of SPY
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires attention to detail and effective collaboration with a variety of organizations and individuals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work and communicate respectfully within a context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds
• Experience using technology; social media, database systems, Google, Microsoft
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends (some local travel required)
• Cultural humility

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Engaging with unhoused individuals on the streets, encampments, and other areas where unhoused youth may sleep
• 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: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated, weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are limited.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

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 first 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. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. 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:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application