ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The LGBTQ Life Skills Educator reports directly to the LGBTQ Site Coordinator. Provide intensive individual and group life skills training to 5 LGBTQ young people aged 17 ½ to 20 years old at the assigned site. Teach basic independent living skills to young people in order for them to be successful after discharge from the program. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Documentation of behaviors and actions using the computer. The position requires the flexibility to adjust hours in order to provide coverage at the site in the absence of other employees as needed. Weekend and holiday hours included.

THIS POSITION IS OVERNIGHT: 11:00 PM-7:00AM (DAYS VARY)

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
• Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
• Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
• Home Management - instructs basic household management - how to clean, proper nutrition, shopping, meal planning and cooking
• Self-Care - teaching appropriate skills related to grooming, dress habits and social skills
• Time Management - Help young people organize and develop a routine - facilitate completion of daily responsibilities
• Facilitates psycho-educations groups
• Facilitates life skills groups
• Develops team building activities
• Documents all services provided
• Facilitates community support services
• Creates an affirming and supportive culture within the home
• Support linkage to supportive community based services for youth
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Participate in staffing with team and young people for assessment, treatment planning and review
• Transport young people in agency vehicle to various community resources, schools, etc
• Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform keen observation of young people by seeing, hearing and verbally communicating
• Ability to walk up and down between two to four flights of stairs without assistance several times during the course of an 8-hour shift

• Ability to lift a maximum of 50lbs
• Assist in placement moves

QUALIFICATIONS

• No less than 21 years of age with an Associate's Degree or at least 60 hours of college in Human Services, or a related field
• Will be at least 25 years of age if they do not have an Associate's Degree or have 60 hours of college
• At least one (1) year experience working with older youth in a child welfare setting Preferred Experience in providing direct care to the LGBTQ population as an ally or lived experience
• Knowledge of word processing and basic computer functions; intermediate to advanced level of computer skills required
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• Valid Illinois Driver's license
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Non-Exempt .