Youth Support Specialist- Full-Time

Are you passionate about Poverty for no one; Opportunity for Everyone?

Catholic Charities is the place for you!

Full-Time/Youth Support Specialist

$1000 hiring bonus

The mission of Catholic Charities is to serve those most in need and to advocate for justice in the community.

As the need for our services grows and becomes increasingly complex, Catholic Charities is working to adapt and respond. We respond in three ways – preventing poverty, meeting basic needs in times of crisis, and creating pathways out of poverty.

SUMMARY

The Youth Support Specialist provides support and guidance to youth experiencing homelessness at Hope Street for Homeless Youth. The Youth Support Specialist’s primary responsibility is to provide a safe and healthy environment and connect youth to services that lead to housing stability. The Youth Support Specialist coordinates client services with the team, and monitors client progress. Ensure that policies and procedures are enforced consistently.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilize nine guiding principles in engagement of youth. Guiding principles include journey oriented, trauma-informed, non-judgmental, harm reduction, trusting youth-adult relationships, strengths-based, positive youth development, holistic and collaboration.
• Complete intakes, assessments, and benefit applications to meet the needs of clients and programs.
• Evaluate, facilitate and monitor services and client progress to meet established goals and objectives.
• Coordinate with case managers to adjust case plans as necessary.
• Refer clients to appropriate community resources and coordinate services.
• Represent Catholic Charities at community meetings, task forces, and other events when required.
• Be vigilant of the facility’s safety and security.
• Use conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to defuse crisis situations when necessary.
• Respond to and resolve all incidents of chemical abuse, theft, threats, and program rule violations.
• Supervise individual medical needs of youth including the administration of medications and treatment in accordance with instructions from medical staff. Record medications on charts, monitor security of medications.
• Serve as a mandated reporter.
• May drive a van to transport clients when required.
• Regularly attend and participate in team meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma and one-year related experience, or Associate’s Degree.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with homeless or at-risk populations preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with and relate to diverse populations, including low-income, homeless, and individuals with mental health issues.