Support Specialist -Hire

The Support Specialist is responsible for providing program assistance, guidance, crisis support, and administrative support to Youth & Family Services projects. This position will assist weekly with participant engagement, resource navigation, and participant group while using appropriate research methods to conduct duties, as well as, lead group exercises, develop professional rapport with participants, and monitor participant progress throughout the duration of the program. Individuals selected for this position will receive the benefit of a free family membership and have a great opportunity to be a part of an organization that positively impacts the lives of others!

What a Support Specialist Does…

• Provide administrative and intervention support to program staff; prepare agendas and activities for groups, assist with documentation and data collection, support various meetings and activities, facilitate groups and lead activities, provide support for the collection and analysis of data required for reporting purposes
• Utilize shared life experience expertise to advance program interventions and participant satisfaction
• Identify and navigate complex community resources and referral processes
• Apply mental health first aid training to participants in crisis
• Engage in recruitment and outreach activities and advocacy strategies
• Provide aftercare, follow-up, and stabilization support services to participants
• Maintain engaging, professional relationships with participants
• Individually meet with participants, assess the need for and provide supportive services, and apply designed curriculum as needed
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage and auditing
• Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees

What We Look for in a Support Specialist…

• High school diploma preferred
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Familiarity with life experiences common among the transition aged youth population preferred
• Experience with Independent Living Skills issues (financial aid, college admissions, GED preparation, housing, transportation) preferred
• Familiar with the operations of federal grants preferred
• Basic computer knowledge and skills
• Familiar with community resources and referral processes preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with others
• Must be an adult role model with the ability to effectively set limits and function in crisis-oriented and high stress situations
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be self-aware, flexible, adaptable, and teachable
• Ability to navigate community resources
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation
• Ability to adequately observe participants’ activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures
• Must possess the ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel throughout San Diego County
• Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• Current CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
• Position may require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
  • Physical exam obtained prior to first day
  • Negative TB test results obtained within the past one year, prior to first day, and annually thereafter, as required
  • Pass pre-employment drug testing prior to first day
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter
  • Must be 21 years of age or older with a valid CA Driver’s License, a good driving record and a current CDL H6 print-out (must be dated within 30 days of application) and pass vehicle proficiency exam
  • Offer of employment shall be contingent upon employee becoming fully vaccinated, within 6 weeks of offer, and providing proof of vaccination. Individuals unable to comply with this vaccination requirement may seek an accommodation due to a medical exemption or sincerely held religious belief.