Outreach Counselor

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Program Manager of Outreach & Engagement, the primary responsibility of the Outreach and Linkage Coordinator is to provide street-based outreach services to youth ages 12-24 as well as organizational outreach services to youth-serving organizations. Staff will work with a team to maintain a safe and supportive spaces and coordinates care for youth accessing our drop-in/engagement centers. The Coordinator will provide information, referrals, and will link youth within Larkin Street’s service continuum and to community-based providers. Additionally, the Coordinator provides HIV/STI testing and prevention information and services, behavioral risk assessment, harm reduction interventions, and individual and group counseling to all youth.

It is essential that the Coordinator creates safe and supportive relationships and motivates youth from diverse backgrounds (youth of color, LGBTQ+, substance use, disabilities) to consider alternatives to street life. The program functions from a client-centered model and utilizes Trauma Informed Care, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Restorative Practices framework.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Outreach and Drop-In/Engagement Centers

• Assists youth by working with other programs to ensure youth are moving through continuum of Larkin Street services and/or city services
• Contribute towards the care and welfare of staff and youth, including non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Practice life skills in training for youth through modeling, active counseling, and facilitation of groups
• Conduct intakes and assessments, organize that information by entering data into paper-based and electronic-based data systems and obtain additional information by coordinating with other professional sources.
• Compose and distribute harm reduction kits including: first aid, hygiene, menstrual, safe injection, safe smoking, safe snorting, safer sex
• Assist in the preparation of food, distribute clothing, harm reduction supplies and snacks
• Assess clients on outreach and in the drop-in 
• Accompany youth to appointments and assist them with advocacy to services as needed clients to and from different appointments as needed 

HIV/STI Testing and Counseling

• Provide culturally responsive HIV/STI counseling, testing, outreach, and education to youth access program
• Assist in the preparation and disclosure of test results
• Provide individual risk reduction counseling
• Outreach and disseminate information and resources regarding HIV awareness.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in the cleaning of the drop-in/engagement spaces

• Support with outreach popup events that foster engagement opportunities for new clients.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Be comfortable around animals (dogs, cats, lizards, etc.) 

• Ability to establish strong boundaries with clients and staff 
• Ability to support special projects that are targeted at homeless youth in all districts of the San Francisco
• Ability to speak in front of large groups of individuals
• Ability to multi-task and efficiently manage priority action items

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work, or a related field.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE:  

• 2 years of experience working with diverse high-risk youth, especially homeless, or runaway youth in an outreach, shelter, or supportive housing program setting
• Must have the ability to work with diverse clients, staff, and volunteers
• Working knowledge of Harm Reduction and the issues facing homeless youth including substance use, mental health issues, the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
• Knowledge of San Francisco’s social services. 
• Strong knowledge and understanding of how intersectionality impact homeless and at-risk youth 
• Preferred-Ability to drive and have a clean DMV record.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) 

PHYSICAL & LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be able to lift and carry 30+ lbs.
• Must be able to stand and walk for 2+ hours
• Finger manipulation
• Ability to speak in front of large groups of individuals
• Ability to speak and write English clearly and accurately.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Bilingual preferred, but not required.
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment. Highly desired.

PERKS & BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability
• Paid time off (vacation and sick time)
• Paid holidays
• Paid Sabbatical after 5 and 10 years of service
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer matching

This position is represented by SEIU 1021 under a collective bargaining agreement.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with interest in the non-profit sector. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified.