Youth Stabilization and Homeless Prevention Specialist

Description

Position Title:                     Youth Stabilization and Homeless Prevention Specialist

Reports To:                 YEVP -CHI Manager 

COMPENSATION:             $40,000 – $44,000 (Annually) Non-Exempt, 1.0 FTE

CLOSING DATE:               Application reviews begin immediately. Open until filled.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Latino Network’s mission is to provide transformative opportunities, services and advocacy for the education, leadership and civic engagement of our youth, families and communities. Our work springs from the core belief in Latino community self- determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families. We build and manage collaborative and energetic teams to implement high quality, culturally inclusive programs. We actively partner across a variety of city, county, state and community organizations to deliver training and support, a wide range of services, as well as influence policy.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position will be responsible for supporting the Youth Empowerment and Violence Prevention Manager as the Youth Stabilization and Homeless Prevention Specialist direct the service team.  The Youth Stabilization and Homeless Prevention Specialist goal is to support and achieve the desired outcomes in the Program associated Youth Empowerment and Violence Prevention program components.

Requirements

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides mobile or site-based wrap-around case management, advocacy and support for youth under age 18. 

• Supports youth with housing stabilization and/or access to short-term crisis beds or shelters. 

• Works closely with community partners in the County funded Youth Stability and Homeless Prevention system.

• Participates in a rotating on-call pool to respond to youth in crisis and in need of an emergency housing placement (outside of regular work day).

• Conducts initial assessments to identify the youth's presenting issues, determine their strengths and needs with attention to immediate and mid-term service provision.

• Develops and maintains professional and trusting relationships with youth that encourage positive social and emotional development.

• Creates and nurtures protective factors (caring relationships, high expectations, and relevant and meaningful participation) in each youth’s environment, including within the multi-agency team setting.

• Integrates and reconnects youth with natural supports and community resources.

• Manages crisis by ability to recognize and provide appropriate intervention as needed.

• Addresses youth conflict directly and respectfully while avoiding power struggles and teaches by modeling effective problem solving and conflict negotiation.

• Collaborates with youth to address full range of their needs by establishing short-term and long-term intervention goals for each youth using strengths based, client centered, Youth Development approach, utilizing a service plan that includes a list of needs of each client and plan for meeting each need.

• Exhibits flexibility by providing services in non-traditional settings (outside of traditional 'office' setting, i.e. the community, cafes, schools, parks, etc.). 

• Facilitates youth engagement and self-determination as individuals and within homeless youth system funded services/resources including resource brokerage, referral, case coordination and advocacy.

• Make referrals based on appropriate match between youth's needs and available resources. Advocate with referral agencies as needed and when appropriate to facilitate referral for identification of client needs.

• Works with DHS child welfare and Juvenile Court Counselors in specific cases

• Exhibits an awareness of commonalities and differences among youth of diverse backgrounds and show respect for those of different talents, abilities, sexual orientation and faith. 

• Builds on diversity among and between individuals to strengthen the program community and the community at large by serving as a role model for the principles of inclusion and tolerance.

• Maintains accurate and up to date clinical records related to caseload and statistical information within legal and ethical professional standards.

• Completes all youth and service-related paperwork in a timely manner.

• Oversees provision of financial supports including distribution of bus tickets and petty cash for client needs according to agency policies and procedures.

• Engages community members in support roles and network various systems/options for youth. 

• Attends all required project and agency meetings.

• Provides support coverage for all Latino Network programs as necessary.

• Maintains punctual, regular and predictable attendance.

• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.

• Other duties as assigned. 

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from a 4-year university and/or two years of relevant experience working with youth and families in a target population.

• Bilingual and Bi-cultural in Spanish and English.

• Knowledge of culturally based world-view and problem-solving practices of Latino individuals and families in urban neighborhoods impacted by crime, poverty, and racial inequity.

• Experience working with high risk and Latino youth and families is preferred.

• Understands the issues of substance abuse, mental health, trauma, abuse and adolescent development including brain development.

• Experience, ability and commitment to working with sexual minority and culturally diverse staff, participants and community.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with governmental partners, youth, families, community support systems.

• Possess knowledge of service systems and clinical issues related to out-of-home youth including the social context and rights of young people.

• Understands and value Multnomah County Assertive Engagement goals, objectives and outcomes and participate in the coordination of services and program development in an interdisciplinary, multi-agency team setting.

• Performs tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to scheduling requirements of this job description and programs.

• Maintains a creative, team-building, cooperative approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.

• Maintains an awareness of the agency's mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies

• Exercises confidentiality, discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of youth and families.

• Actively strives to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.

• Ability to work with diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.

• Evening and weekend availability may be required, and work hours are flexible to accommodate program implementation; long hours during peak periods.

• Reliable car, driver's license, and automobile liability insurance; must be eligible to be an insured driver under Latino Network's Commercial Auto Liability.

BENEFITS

Latino Network provides a generous benefits package that includes;

• 15 days of paid vacation, 

• 12 days of paid sick leave, 

• 10 paid holidays, 

• Employer-paid health coverage, 

• 401(K) and life insurance to eligible employees.

TO APPLY:

Application review begins immediately. Open until filled. Submit your application, resume and cover letter at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/List/1630/Latino-Network, Successful completion of initial and ongoing employment screens, including but not limited to criminal background and vehicle record as required.

For more information about Latino Network visit www.latnet.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/latnet.

Latino Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.