Shift Leader, ON

WHO WE ARE & PURPOSE OF POSITION

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been a leader in providing a full continuum of shelter, transitional and permanent housing, along with wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway and exploited youth. As the largest provider of runaway and homeless youth services in New York City, CHNY serves more than 1,500 youth and young adults ages 16-24 annually. Our doors are open to all young people who need help, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We provide shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health and other services using harm reduction and trauma-informed principles. We also advocate for systemic change through public policy while promoting awareness of critical issues related to youth homelessness. Covenant House New York’s goal is to help each young person find safety and refuge from the dangers of living on the streets and to empower youth now and into the future. We do this through compassion, unconditional love and absolute respect.

The Crisis Shelter (Shelter) Shift Leader (SL) role is to be the main person during a shift to ensure continuity of services for up to 120 youth residing at the 41st Street Crisis Shelter program and the staff on site. The SL will report to the Program Coordinator and will follow directives from the Direct Service Managers. The Shift Leader will support all aspects of the program. The SL will serve as the point person in the building during their assigned shift and assist youth living at the site holistically, providing motivation, engagement and encouragement where needed. The SL will be responsible for working with youth and other staff to keep the site safe, clean and well-maintained.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Welcomes youth to the site and orients youth to site expectations.

• Performs youth engagement and program support.

• Engages, supervises and supports youth residing at the Shelter sites.

• Ensures that the site, including youths' rooms, are clean and in good condition.

• Ensures youth comply with curfew expectations and schedule structure.

• Assists youth with preparation for their day.

• Monitors program and youth activities to promote a safe and secure environment.

• Engages with youth during mealtimes and works with youth to facilitate post-meal clean up.

• Assists youth with activities of daily living (ADLs).

• Provides support to the Direct Service Managers, Case Managers, including managing youth appointments, collecting/filing paperwork, and digital file maintenance.

• Maintains accurate records in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) electronic case management system. This includes documenting engagements and other touchpoints. Completing Incident and behavior communication reports as per regulations.

• Follow program procedures as directed.

• Maintains healthy, supportive relationships with youth, with appropriate boundaries.

• Participates in recreational and holiday activities at the site and off-site trips when applicable or needed.

• Completes and submits incident reports by the end of the shift.

• De-escalates crises; attends to emergencies following agency protocol, as needed.

• Communicates with staff to ensure safe and secure operations at all times.

• Ensures sufficient staffing at the Shelter sites.

• Coordinates crisis interventions and ensures appropriate follow up.

• Assigns tasks to staff as needed or as instructed by the Direct Service Managers and Program Coordinators and ensures completion of assigned tasks and follow up.

• Performs operational tasks as assigned by the Direct Service Managers and the Program Coordinators.

• Serve as point person for program communication during assigned shifts.

• Will assign breaks according to company policy.

• Must be willing to work in an environment where precautions for communicative diseases and health concerns may need to be observed and followed.

• Determines whether to contact superiors when serious emergencies arise.

Team Participation

• Works as a collaborative member of the team ensuring all youth have access to high quality services and are living in a safe and compassionate community.

• Participates in team meetings and facilitates team meetings when necessary or as directed by the Direct service Managers and Program Coordinators. Ensures team members are fully apprised of important information regarding youth and program practices as needed.

• Assists with audit preparation for internal and external audits of the program.

• Ensures the cleanliness and maintenance of rooms, closets and other spaces.

• Will be responsible for Shift Leader tools including phone, radio, etc.

• The Overnight Shift Leader will be responsible for the tracking of items and maintenance of the Youth Belongings Closet.

• May be called on to perform Resident Advisor duties as needed

  • Intakes and Discharges

  • Cov Convos

  • Tasks as assigned

Professional Development and Embracing Covenant House New York's (CHNY) Mission

• Participates in all required trainings, either in-person or via CHNY's online Learning Management System (Relias).

• Embraces a data-driven culture that is outcomes-oriented and creatively responsive to programmatic challenges.

• Promotes and utilizes evidence based practices such as Motivational Interviewing to engage youth.

• Promotes a healthy, inclusive and equitable organizational culture and a thriving, engaged staff.

• Promotes child protection activities and is diligent about the safety of youth and fellow staff members.

• Always upholds CHNY's mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.

• Flexibility and excellent communication and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position.

• Performs other duties as assigned and needed.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma with at least one year successful experience working with young adults required.

• Experience working with at-risk youth strongly preferred.

• Driver's license preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

• Interest in working with youth who have experienced homelessness required.

• Strong multi-tasking skills required.

• Strong de-escalation skills required.

• Responds to supervision and coaching in a positive manner.

• Excellent verbal, written and problem-solving abilities; willing and able to move throughout the day; and an upbeat, creative and fun demeanor required.

• Able to use Motivational Interviewing to engage youth and assist in their successful planning in the program.

• A strong focus on child protection and ensuring the safety of residents is required.

• Overall flexibility in work schedule required, including weekends, evenings and holidays is required. Adherence to attendance and punctuality requirements is a must.

• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.

Compensation

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to full medical, vision, dental, life and short and long-term disability insurance and other fringe benefits. Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire. PTO includes 3 weeks of vacation in the first year, 10 holidays, 13 sick days, 5 personal days and birthday days off. Benefits include a 403b with employer contribution after 12 months. There are also multiple additional optional benefits (including additional life, disability, accident and cancer insurance) available at significantly reduced rates.

"CH is a vaccinated employer. As such, prospective new hires will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by the date of hire to be considered." 

Covenant House New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer