Description

Mission: The Link works with youth and young families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice. Our 23 programs provide supportive housing, intensive case management services, and skills development to youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness, sex trafficking and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Link prides itself on its innovative, youth-centered, strengths-based programming for youth and families as well as programs that are co-designed, implemented and overseen by youth.

Position Specifics

• Hiring Salary Range: $23.13-$26.00/hour based on qualifications 
• Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
• Location: Minneapolis
• Hours/Days: Mon-Fri, 8:00-4:00
• Note: This position requires driving. To be able to drive on behalf of The Link, candidates must have a valid driver's license, be able to successfully clear a criminal and motor vehicle background check, and maintain personal insurance at the levels of $100,000 Bodily Injury/Per Person and $300,000 Bodily Injury/Per Accident. Job offer is contingent on having these requirements. 

BASIC FUNCTION

The Community Navigator Case Manager positions are housed within The Link’s Youth Advocacy Division’s Navigation Support Program. This program uses a holistic model for youth on probation in Hennepin County. The Navigator provides mobile support, one on one community resource navigation, support in creating individualized goal plans and assistance in helping reach those goals. The goal of the Navigator is to help youth increase independent living skills that will keep them from further involvement in the juvenile justice system. 

This position will be considered a mobile one that will be housed within The Link but will spend time at multiple community sites in order to accommodate the needs of youth in Hennepin County.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop trusting supportive relationships with youth referred by Hennepin County Juvenile Probation 
• Conduct intake and client assessments to determine strengths, barriers, resource needs and other factors related to case planning 
• Coach youth to established individualized goals 
• Facilitate restorative justice conference to develop plan with youth, probation officer, family, etc. 
• Build knowledge of resources in the community to meet the needs of youth
• Navigate gender specific resources 
• Work collaboratively with Hennepin County Probation officers and triage cases as appropriate with involved systems. 
• Communicate with Hennepin County Probation officers regarding goals, progress, other county contracted service needs, etc.
• Supports youth in basic needs, housing, independent living skills, prosocial activity/recreation, education, employment, healthy relationships, social media, civic responsibility, health/wellness and gender identity/wellness 
• Coordinate service referrals with youth service providers, health care services, mental health, legal services, case management and all other services as needed.
• Work effectively with all systems involved in the youth’s life including child welfare system, juvenile justice, schools and law enforcement. 
• Provide mobile case management
• Attend and participate in all required meetings and trainings: 
• Reporting of data suitable for collaboration, planning, process improvement and resource allocation. Enter case notes, services provided, referrals and exit info into the Client Track database and assist with all reporting requirements required of funders and evaluators. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preserve the integrity of the programs and agency
• Demonstrate commitment to The Link’s mission and vision, and values of equity, diversity and inclusion
• Support the overall growth of the agency
• Maintain positive and healthy relationship with co-workers and other related parties
• Assist where needed as a team player
• Create a safe, respectful, and healthy atmosphere and environment where everyone can grow and learn
• Participate in special projects as necessary
• Attend all meetings and trainings as required
• Maintain positive and professional interactions with clients, co-workers, and all parties involved
• All other duties as assigned 

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Desire to continuously learn for personal and professional growth 
• Ability to build positive relationships with youth 
• High level of personal and professional integrity, including ability to protect and maintain confidentiality and data privacy
• Creative and able to engage a diverse range of needs and learning styles 
• High level of attention to detail 
• Ability to work collaboratively across many systems and stakeholders 
• Ability to work effectively with and relate to diverse populations 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially for client advocacy 
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize, coordinate, track and complete multiple tasks as well as adjust to changing priorities 
• Computer application proficiency, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
• Knowledgeable about community resources 
• Committed and persistent to engage with youth who may be resistant 
• Sensitive to cultural differences 
• Sensitive to nature of offense 
• Utilize a trauma-informed care approach 
• Ability to coach youth to establish individualized goals 
• Ability to provide written reports outlining goals and progress 
• Ability to balance accountability while developing a nurturing and supportive relationship 
• Uses teachable moments to coach youth to learn to do things for themselves 
• Ability to work collaboratively with systems and agencies 
• Ability to allow for flexibility and non-traditional work hours 
• Creative with solutions to individualize youth support 
• Establishes healthy boundaries in working with youth 
• Self-motivated 
• Dependable 
• Adaptable 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with juvenile justice involved youth 
• Training in positive youth development, harm reduction, and/or trauma informed care 
• Extensive knowledge of issues related to comprehensive programming, juvenile justice, and court systems 
• Experience working with diverse populations 
• Valid Driver’s License with access to a reliable vehicle
• Ability to pass a criminal and driving background check
• Life Experience and/or relevant education including social service or social work, human services or other related degrees

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools or controls as well as visual acuity
• The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Requires ability to drive
• This position generally works during normal business hours (M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), but may require some flexibility, including occasional hours outside of the normal work schedule.

BENEFITS

The Link offers benefits to eligible employees such as medical, dental (The Link covers 100% of the premiums), vision, a generous 401k with employer match, over 2 weeks of PTO in your first year, birthday PTO, two days of volunteer PTO, 11 paid holidays/holiday pay, and more!

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY 

As outlined in our Compensation Philosophy . The Link believes strongly in pay equity and transparency, and wages that lead our field for similar roles. To that end, The Link will ensure all new hires are offered the highest wage they are eligible to receive within the position's hiring range based on their years of relevant professional experience, lived experience, and relevant degrees and licensures. The Link has a “no negotiation policy,” which means candidates should not have to negotiate their way to a fair wage for their skills and experience and will automatically be given the highest wage they are eligible for based on their qualifications. 

OTHER

The Link is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Link complies with laws relating to discrimination against qualified applicants and employees in hiring or in any decision affecting job status or pay, based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, covered veteran status, public assistance status, membership in a local commission, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or other applicable protected classes. 

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.