Engagement Specialist - Catalyst - Day/Swing Details

Engagement Specialist - Catalyst - Day/Swing

YouthCare - Seattle, WA

Employment Type : Full-Time

Mission, Vision, and Values

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is full-time regular and non-exempt. Shifts will vary and may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays.


AT YOUTHCARE: We value hard work and dedication to helping young people experiencing homelessness move from survival mode into thriving and healthy young adulthood. We also value a sense of humor and respect of each other and the young people we serve. YouthCare serves young people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious beliefs, and we seek a workforce that reflects that diversity.

ABOUT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential. Founded in 1974, YouthCare was one of the first programs to serve runaway and homeless youth on the West Coast. The goal was to help young people find safety today and build a future for tomorrow. Over four decades, we’ve defined best practices and developed programs that are a national standard for excellence. Using a youth-centered approach, we ensure that young people experiencing homelessness ages 12-24 have the hope, skills, and confidence to gain long-term stability.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor and Program Manager, the Engagement Specialist is responsible for the daily management of the program site. All housing programs are open 24/7 and per agency licensing and or contract requirements, programs must maintain safe staff and client ratio to provide services to our clients. In conjunction with other staff, the Engagement Specialist’s task is to create a safe and caring environment for vulnerable young people in residence who are preparing to transition to become more self-sufficient. The position requires an individual who can actively contribute to a positive, stable, responsive, and responsible environment for change.

COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare. Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at time of On-Boarding. Please note: Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

NON-MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES’ INTERNATIONAL UNION (OPEIU).

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Build trust and rapport with young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, young people who have experienced sexual exploitation and/or young people who are at risk.
  • Engage, support, coach, and develop young people using healing-centered engagement practices and a strength-based approach.
  • Provide on-site supervision, while maintaining professional boundaries in providing crisis intervention and services to young people. Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques and model effective de-escalation, problem-solving and mediation skills. Be willing to intervene in times of crisis using these skills.
  • Complete necessary paperwork and data collection, including intake, enrollment, case notes as needed. Additionally complete incident reports within the required timeframe on any facility damage, medical emergencies or any incident which occurs out of the ordinary functioning of the site.
  • Maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, logbooks, and other types of documentation and enter data into YouthCare’s Case Worthy client management system according to agency standards.
  • Execute Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) tasks and accreditation standards and adhere to all agency policies and procedures.
  • Comply with the agency’s mandated reporting requirement and report suspected abuse, neglect, or sexual exploitation of minors within the required timeframe.
  • Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all site staff, partners, and volunteers to create a nurturing, dynamic, and constructive environment for young people.
  • Support with coordination of basic needs, inclusion of meals, referrals to systems of support, clothing, etc.
  • Develop and deliver group and individual programming to foster life and social skill development. Programming provides an opportunity for youth and young adults to engage, increase knowledge and skills, and moves young people toward the agency’s four core outcomes - housing stability, financial independence, community support, and wellness.
  • Work collaboratively with other YouthCare programs, families, school district professionals, crisis services personnel, and staff from other agencies in support of youth.
  • Communicate client needs and behaviors to the appropriate staff, and refer young people to appropriate and necessary services, as needed.
  • Oversee the safety and cleanliness of the facility, including disinfecting surfaces and following cleaning protocols. Perform light janitorial work, including vacuuming/sweeping/mopping; taking out trash; and similar tasks, as outlined by site need and agency protocols. Compile maintenance requests and submit to program leadership/maintenance staff as needed
  • Participate in regular supervision, client consultations, and staff and agency meetings. Attend and fully participate in meetings, professional development opportunities, and designated training sessions as required.
  • Obtain and maintain certifications for all required trainings and certifications (including Food Handler’s License, BBP, CPR / First Aid, De-escalation, Mental Health First AID).
  • Act as a professional representative of YouthCare and maintain a professional working environment (office, personal workspace, agency vehicle, etc.).
  • Maintains a flexible work schedule (filling shifts on some weekends, early and/or late hours) and must be willing to be cross-trained in providing support with shift coverage in on-call basis for the program and the agency, as required by individual program needs.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work closely with YouthCare staff and Case Managers in engaging young people in individualized education, employment and life skill plans and activities.
  • With direction from Case Manager, help plan for, direct and/or provide support for recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that are in alignment with client goals.
  • Educate young people on independent living skills/tasks, including but not limited to personal care and food preparation.
  • Provide transportation for outings and client appointments; operate the agency vehicle in accordance with law and in a safe manner.
  • Assist in packing client belongings and cleaning and sanitizing exited bedrooms, and prepping bedrooms for incoming clients.
  • At designated times, prepare and cook meals for up to 12 residents and staff.
  • Dispense medication (as needed) and complete related documentation. Perform medication reconciliation and update medical binder forms according to individual program procedures and timeline.
  • Maintain an awareness of client whereabouts and line of site supervision, as required. Complete room, bed and safety checks at required intervals and complete required documentation
  • Engage and participate in weekly staff meetings and be an instrumental team member in supporting young people, by communicating effectively with all program staff, program participants, personnel from other agencies and visitors.

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.


QUALIFICATIONS –

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • 1 year of experience successfully working with vulnerable young people or young people in a crisis, during outreach efforts or in residential setting.
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs and reports.
  • Ability to establish new partnerships and foster positive relationships with existing partners.
  • Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while building trust and respect.
  • Ability to verbally and physically respond to an aggressive person in ways that de-escalate, establish and maintain staff and young peoples’ safety.
  • Ability to develop and lead programming/classes/activities
  • Ability to assume responsibilities or duties within the agency not specifically delineated in this job description for short periods of time or on an infrequent basis.
  • Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or four years of successful experience with young people in a crisis or outreach setting.
  • Course work, experience, or training in child or human development, chemical dependency, mental illness, group dynamics, residential treatment, or related experience highly preferred.
  • Bilingual

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
  • Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one-year of hire date).
  • DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.
  • Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position, must be at least 21 years of old, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, meet minimum safe driver criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Defensive Driving and 15-passenger Van trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3-years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
  • Ability to obtain a current Food Handler’s Card
  • Successful completion of pre-service trainings as required by contracting agencies. Trainings such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Behavior Management. Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Initiative, creativity, reliability, flexibility, thoroughness.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with good quality spelling, grammar and punctuation.
  • High integrity when dealing with a broad array of cultures and restricted and/or confidential information.
  • Ability to coordinate overall program functioning.
  • Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs and reports.
  • Ability and willingness to stay awake and alert during overnight shifts
  • May be required to assume responsibilities or duties within the agency not specifically delineated in this job description for short periods of time or on an infrequent basis.
  • Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to perform range of physical motions, exerting up to 50 pounds. Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; running for brief periods of time; and go up and down stairs.


BENEFITS: YouthCare provides a competitive benefits package to full time employees including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave after successful completion of the 90-day Introductory Period.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: YouthCare is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs and YouthCare is committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, regardless of actual or perceived sex; race; color; religious creed; national origin; ancestry; age; marital status; pregnancy; nursing parent status; physical, mental or sensory disability; medical condition; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); military or veteran status; or any other basis protected by federal, state and/or local laws. People of Color and Members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Posted on : 2 years ago
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