Description

JOB TITLE: MSW Clinical Intern

REPORTS TO: Sr. Director of Clinical and Housing Services

STATUS: Part- time, 16-24 hours/week for duration of MSW Program

CELL PHONE: N/A

DRIVER POSITION: No

SALARY RANGE: College Credit

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs. 

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The MSW Internship position will participate as a member of the Clinical Department, and support the flow and responsibilities of Access Center Programming, Case Management, and Health and Wellness Therapy. The MSW Internship will offer participants the opportunity to to work in a professional setting to develop and demonstrate skills in social work, to integrate the theories and practices learned in and out of the classroom, to develop an understanding of the diversity of a community population and the role of diversity in social work practice. This role will aid in supporting frontline staff in day to day operations, and will also receive a caseload of members working towards a variety of goals. This position is an integral part of case management services at SPY.

The first half of the internship will focus on developing skills in case management, documentation, assessments, and working in a high pace Access Center. The 2nd half of the internship will continue in this trajectory, but will also focus on further developing clinical skills, providing interns with an opportunity to conduct 1:1 therapy services to a small caseload, help plan and facilitate therapy groups, and participate in various training sessions. Throughout the program, interns will receive one-on-one support from Field Instructor, and on-going support from Clinical Supervisor, Health and Wellness Therapists, as well as group-based professional development classes.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Participate in SPY's orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff and volunteers as needed
• Attend Clinical Department team meetings and group supervision
• Run Front Desk operations on a rotation basis ensuring members are connected with needed programs and services
• Under Supervision of Field Instructor, conduct intakes, assess needs, and refer new youth to pertinent services/programs such as housing, mental health, benefits, education, and employment as needed
• Assist in following up for referrals for services and collecting required paperwork (including follow up calls)
• Help plan and co-facilitate-related workshops/trainings for youth and community members.
• Under Supervision of Field Instructor, establish treatment goals and revise counseling interventions as indicated. Evaluate member/family response to psychosocial interventions; identify obstacles and assist in understanding goals of intervention, documenting all services in Civicore and HMIS
• Co-facilitate group therapy sessions with the Health & Wellness Therapist
• Participate in one hour (minimum supervision)
• Other duties as assigned and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Active listener; uses reflection techniques when working with others to learn their needs and interests.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment; willing to work as part of a team. 
• Collaborative and efficient problem-solving.
• Takes initiative; sets high standards for personal and team performance.
• Open to learning; willing to take a patient and consistent approach to one’s own development and growth.
• Takes direction easily and responds well to feedback.
• Thoughtful communicator; seeks to provide feedback in constructive ways.
• Welcoming personality; able to encourage and promote group and service participation.
• Is authentic and respectful of all members’ authenticity; appreciates diverse perspectives.
• Able to maintain a safe atmosphere for all people in the SPY environment.
• Working knowledge of child and adolescent social, emotional, and cognitive
  development, trauma informed care and harm reduction service model
• A commitment to and passion for the mission, vision, values, and culture of SPY and demonstrated cultural humility

BACKGROUND YOU’LL NEED: 

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited MSW program.
• Must have a reliable method of communication.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and/or State ID.
• Willing to complete a live scan (background check) and TB Test.
• Is punctual and organized.
• Able to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment.
• Can utilize a harm reduction, trauma- informed approach when working with young people
• Willing to accept a variety of tasks to support the function and services provided at the Access Center and other SPY locations

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: In an effort to stem the significant increase in COVID-19 positive tests as a result of the Delta variant, the State Health Officer has issued an order, which went into effect on August 9, 2021, requiring paid and unpaid workers of homeless services organizations to provide proof of vaccination and/or booster (if eligible for the booster shot) or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing if still not fully vaccinated. Please send proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. Failure to provide proof of vaccination will require the candidate to produce a negative test result within 72 hours of their first day of employment and commit to weekly testing. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, contact HR at HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. Please be mindful that these accommodations are limited in nature.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application.