Workforce Navigator - South Seattle Youth Center

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is full-time regular and non-exempt. Work schedule varies by program.

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.

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).

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Client Services Manager, the Workforce Navigator works directly with program participants, other YouthCare staff, service providers, employers, and community members in order to provide vocational training, workforce and education navigation, job readiness skills, internship and work experience opportunities, job placement, and retention support for young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This position will help develop, pilot, and deliver Workforce Training curriculum, both in programs and at assigned Engagement Centers, and offer consultative support cross-departmentally. Workforce Navigators work closely with the Employer Engagement team, employers, and community partners to identify and develop individualized internship opportunities. Workforce Navigators assist with recruitment for enrollment in programming and services and are required to tailor their approach and service delivery to support youth navigating and overcoming barriers to achieving employment and educational goals. The position requires an individual who can actively contribute to a positive, stable, responsive, and responsible environment for change. Local travel may be required between program sites.

ESSENTIAL 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 in-person services, 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, individual service plans, and 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 or program.
• Read and maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, emails, logbooks, and other types of documentation and enter data into YouthCare’s CaseWorthy 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 and programmatic 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, and more as needed.
• 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.
• 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.
• Act as a professional representative of YouthCare and maintain a professional working environment (office, personal workspace, agency vehicle, etc.).

NAVIGATOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and deliver group and individual workforce development, engagement, and enrichment programming – providing opportunity for young people to engage, increase knowledge and skills, and move toward the agency’s four core outcomes - housing stability, financial independence, community support, and wellness.
• In alignment with current service and contract requirements, regularly engage all young people at assigned site/program and ensure clients remain actively engaged in pursuit of their goals; encourage young peoples’ movement from emergency services to case management, and education and employment programming
• Recruit, assess, enroll, and retain clients in workforce services and programming, including but not limited to documenting eligibility, facilitating applications and intakes, creating flyers, email blasts, and mobile orientation opportunities, and ensuring that required paperwork is complete and submitted in a timely manner for successful program enrollment
• Partner with young people, 1-on-1, to develop and update individualized service plans, goals and plans for personal, educational, and career success in alignment with YouthCare and contract guidelines
• Provide individual and group employment services by supporting the development of and regularly facilitating YouthCare’s job readiness training; this includes coordinating individual job search, career navigation, facilitating workshops on a variety of topics, leading Job Club activities, and conducting employability, skills, and interest assessments
• Successfully transition young people into subsidized and unsubsidized employment and provide ongoing job retention support
• Support youth in external and internal internships, including completing hiring paperwork, facilitating interviews and employer meet & greets, collecting and submitting youth timesheets, distributing youth paychecks, and regularly connecting with employer and interns to ensure success of the internship
• Assist clients in identifying and eliminating barriers to success in employment and post-secondary settings; work with YouthCare case managers to provide case management support to young people and meet basic needs; work with each client’s support team to support young people in removing barriers that impact their ability to reach their employment and education goals (transportation, legal advocacy, referrals to mental health and substance use support, and more)
• Support program improvement efforts at YouthCare as it relates to job readiness curricula, assessment, data collection and reporting, programming and services, cross-departmental coordination, and effective job placement and retention service policies and procedures
• With the support of the Employer Engagement Specialist, identify and build relationships with potential community partners to assist in internship and work experience opportunities
• Organize and set up networking and skill-building opportunities for clients, including guest speakers, tabling events, field trips, and career fairs; accompany clients to local job fairs, workshops, events, as needed.
• Per YouthCare and contract requirements, maintain client records in an accurate, secure, and timely manner, complete intakes, enrollments, service entries, case notes, attainments, exits, referrals, and incident reports
• Assist with report writing, data tracking, and documentation for contract compliance
• Attend Workforce Navigation meetings, program team meetings, department and agency meetings, and wrap-around meetings to discuss client needs, programming, and best practices in providing employment support.

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.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and equity
• The ability to maintain positive regard for young people despite periods of ambiguity and opposition
• Coachability, and a desire to engage in candid two-way feedback as a means for professional growth
• Demonstrated professionalism through a positive and cooperative attitude and by maintaining the confidential and proprietary nature of client/staff relationships and related work products
• The ability to maintain stable performance under pressure or conflict; handle stress in a manner that maintains teamwork and respect for others and to the agency
• Initiative, creativity, and flexibility
• Experience with and demonstrated integrity when working with diverse populations and cultures
• Sense of humor and joy for the work

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 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. DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.
• 2 or more years of relevant work experience, OR an equivalent combination of education, relevant work experience, and/or lived experience (4+ years)
• Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs and reports.
• 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.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience working with young people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, and systemic oppression
• Experience within workforce development systems, education and/or employment
• Intermediate computer software skills including Windows, MS Outlook, MS Word, and Excel
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Development, Psychology, or related field
• 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).
• Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position , must be at least 21 years of age, 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.
• Work on location at YouthCare program sites.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with good quality spelling, grammar and punctuation, in English.
• 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