Youth Transition Specialist

Preble Street’s Teen Housing Services team supports youth ages 16 – 24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability with a low-barrier, Housing First approach, connecting youth to long-term housing options and offering intensive supportive services and case management toward achieving and maintaining housing stability.

Preble Street’s Teen Housing Program is seeking a Youth Transition Specialist to support youth transitioning back into the community from Long Creek Youth Development Center and youth and families involved with the Juvenile Justice System. This position will provide relationship-based, community-centered support to youth as they navigate reentry, housing, education, employment, family relationships, and other areas of independent living. The Youth Transition Specialist will build trusting relationships with youth both in the community and within juvenile justice settings, with a focus on supporting successful transitions and helping youth develop the skills, connections, and resources needed to thrive in the community.

This is a full-time, 1st shift position with a Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm schedule

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field and experience relevant to working with youth experiencing homelessness or a comparable combination of education and experience. Specialists must also have an understanding of and alignment with Preble Street’s mission, positive regard for individuals accessing services for homelessness and poverty, and a commitment to providing low-barrier services as well as strong communication, de-escalation, and crisis intervention skills, familiarity with community resources, strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain documentation of services, ability to maintain professional boundaries with diverse populations, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Eligibility for employment with Teen Services requires that staff be at least 21 years of age; hold certification or become certified in First Aid and CPR (on-site training opportunities offered); provide proof of education (diploma or transcript); and have acceptable background check results, including BMV. Teen Services staff must attend recurrent, regularly scheduled trainings provided on-site. Reliable transportation is required for this position.

Compensation & Benefits

These positions offer competitive pay at a rate of $23.82 per hour, as well as generous paid time off, insurance, and retirement plan benefits including:

• 4 weeks/160 hours (accrued) vacation time, 12 days/96 hours (accrued) sick time, 32 hours personal time, 12 paid holidays
• Health insurance w/ 100% employer-paid option; dental insurance w/ 100% employer-paid option; vision insurance; employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan w/ employer match

To Apply: We encourage applicants to apply via Preble Street’s website employment page. Applications (resume and cover letter, preferred) may also be emailed to employment@preblestreet.org or mailed via USPS mail to Preble Street Human Resources, 55 Portland Street, Portland, ME 04101. Please note that automatically generated confirmations of receipt will be sent in response to applications sent via email. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be otherwise contacted. If you need assistance or accommodation in the application process, please contact us at hr@preblestreet.org.

Preble Street, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, has been working since 1975 to provide best practice social services that meet urgent needs and end hunger and homelessness for individuals and families in Maine living in poverty.

Preble Street is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and consider applications for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Preble Street recognizes that Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA people and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every qualification described in a job posting.

Our hiring process recognizes the value of various lived experiences and backgrounds when assessing candidates.

Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $24