Youth Engagement Specialist

Olaiya's Cradle Program:

Olaiya's Cradle is a transitional independent living program for young moms between the ages of 18-24 and their children. Olaiya's Cradle serves families with one child up to the age of two. Young women are eligible to enter into the Olaiya's Cradle program as early as their third trimester of pregnancy. Families in the Olaiya's Cradle program receive supportive services including on site case management, counseling, and life skills education through group sessions. The Olaiya's Cradle program has the capacity to serve 6 mothers and 6 children. Residents in Olaiya's Cradle remain in the program anywhere from 18-24 months before exiting to independent apartments.

Job Summary:

The Youth Engagement Specialist is responsible for supporting young families in building relationships and bonds, becoming familiarized with their community, achieving goals and making progress towards independence and self-sufficiency so that families will thrive following program completion.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsible for reporting, planning and implementation of the weekday activity schedule.

• Provides on-site supervision, while maintaining professional boundaries, and crisis intervention and counseling services to youth in residence.
• With direction from Program Manager, helps plan for, directs, and/or provides support for recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that are in alignment with treatment or permanency goals.
• Answers and records all phone calls and visitors, maintains supervision of the house, and enforces house rules while ensuring the safety of house residents.
• Works collaboratively with other SBY staff, programs, families, ands agencies, to help youth develop or follow-through on individual service plan goals.
• Engages with youth in a variety of activities from breakfast through bedtime, supporting them in achieving daily goals, and engaging them in productive dialogue, building life skills, and problem solving.
• Facilitates life skills groups on topics of interest to teens relative to positive social and emotional development.
• Makes regular house check inspections inside the building and in the area immediately outside as well as checks individual rooms routinely.
• Maintains necessary documentation, including but not limited to, legible, comprehensive and accurate reports of house activities in the house log, etc.
• Oversees the safety and cleanliness of the house including coordinating and managing residents’ daily chores. At times, perform light janitorial duties such as sweep, mop, taking-out trash. Advise Program Manager of building maintenance needs. Must be willing to assist with housekeeping duties.
• Carries out emergency fire evacuation and emergency procedures in case of an illness or accident.
• Assists with shift-coverage when schedule gaps occur due to staff shortage.
• Attend schedule family activities and field trips.
• Participates in regular supervision and staff meetings.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED with 2 to 3 years’ relevant experience in Human Services or a related field. Prior experience working with adolescents/young adults, infants, and toddlers 0 - 2 years old required.

• Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques, model effective de-escalation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong spoken and written English language skills, including report writing.
• Possess a valid Driver’s License, pass required DC clearances (and other states as applicable).
• Experience working with youth, teens, and families dealing with trauma, crisis, and community stress.
• Great work ethic, excellent time management, efficiency, problem solving, and customer service skills.
• Possess good organizational skills, the ability to multitask, maintain confidentiality, and be detailed oriented.
• Ability to work extra hours, attend mandatory meetings/training (Held Monday through Friday) as required.

Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is also committed to comply with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.