Engagement Specialist - Adolescent Shelter

Company Description

YouthCare is a mission-driven organization dedicated to ending youth homelessness and empowering young people to reach their full potential. Established in 1974, it was among the first organizations on the West Coast to provide shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. YouthCare offers outreach, prevention, shelter, housing, and employment training to over 1,200 young individuals annually. These comprehensive services are designed to equip youth with the skills, confidence, and support needed to thrive. Learn more about their impactful work through their website and social media channels.

Engagement Specialist – Adolescent Shelter

This is a bargaining unit position represented by the OPEIU. All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is full-time, regular and non-exempt. Shifts will vary and may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Day Shift (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), Swing (4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.), and Grave (12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.).

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Program Manager or Supervisor, the Engagement Specialist is responsible for the daily management of the program site. All housing programs are open 24/7 and per agency licensing and or contract requirements, programs must maintain safe staff and client ratio to provide services to our clients. In conjunction with other staff, the Engagement Specialist’s task is to create a safe and caring environment for vulnerable young people in residence who are preparing to transition to become more self-sufficient. The position requires an individual who can actively contribute to a positive, stable, responsive, and responsible environment for change.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build trust and rapport with young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, young people who have experienced sexual exploitation and/or young people who are at risk.
• Engage, support, coach, and develop young people using healing-centered engagement practices and a strength-based approach.
• Provide on-site supervision, while maintaining professional boundaries in providing crisis intervention and services to young people. Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques and model effective de-escalation, problem-solving and mediation skills. Be willing to intervene in times of crisis using these skills.
• Complete necessary paperwork and data collection, including intake, enrollment, case notes as needed. Additionally complete incident reports within the required timeframe on any facility damage, medical emergencies or any incident which occurs out of the ordinary functioning of the site.
• Maintain accurate and timely case records, shift notes, logbooks, and other types of documentation, and enter data into YouthCare’s Case Worthy client management system according to agency standards.
• Execute Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) tasks and accreditation standards and adhere to all agency policies and procedures.
• Comply with the agency’s mandated reporting requirement and report suspected abuse, neglect, or sexual exploitation of minors within the required timeframe.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all site staff, partners, and volunteers to create a nurturing, dynamic, and constructive environment for young people.
• Support with coordination of basic needs, inclusion of meals, referrals to systems of support, clothing, etc.
• Develop and deliver group and individual programming to foster life and social skill development. Programming provides an opportunity for youth and young adults to engage, increase knowledge and skills, and moves young people toward the agency’s four core outcomes - housing stability, financial independence, community support, and wellness.
• Work collaboratively with other YouthCare programs, families, school district professionals, crisis services personnel, and staff from other agencies in support of youth.
• Communicate client needs and behaviors to the appropriate staff, and refer young people to appropriate and necessary services, as needed.
• Oversee the safety and cleanliness of the facility, including disinfecting surfaces and following cleaning protocols. Perform light janitorial work, including vacuuming/sweeping/mopping; taking out trash; and similar tasks, as outlined by site need and agency protocols. Compile maintenance requests and submit them to program leadership/maintenance staff as needed.
• Participate in regular supervision, client consultations, and staff and agency meetings. Attend and fully participate in meetings, professional development opportunities, and designated training sessions as required.
• Act as a professional representative of YouthCare and maintain a professional working environment (office, personal workspace, agency vehicle, etc.). 
• Maintains a flexible work schedule (filling shifts on some weekends, early and/or late hours) and must be willing to be cross- trained in providing support with shift coverage in on-call basis for the program and the agency, as required by individual program needs.
• Maintain annual completion of 24 hours of in-service training.
• Reliably attend and participate in training and development as needed for your role and the needs of our Agency as a whole such as program requirements, DEI&J, supervision, and others as identified.
• Contribute to our DEI&J culture by creating at least one SMART Goal related to DEI&J within your control to deliver.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with YouthCare staff and Case Managers in engaging young people in individualized education, employment and life skill plans and activities.
• With directions from Case Manager, help plan for, direct and/or provide support for recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that are in alignment with client goals.
• Educate young people on independent living skills/tasks, including but not limited to personal care and food preparation.
• Provide transportation for outings and client appointments; operate the agency vehicle in accordance with the law and in a safe manner.
• Assist in packing client belongings and cleaning and sanitizing exited bedrooms, and prepping bedrooms for incoming clients.
• At designated times, prepare and cook meals for up to 14 residents and staff.
• Dispensing medication (as needed) and complete related documentation. Perform medication reconciliation and update medical binder forms according to individual program procedures and timeline.
• Maintain an awareness of client whereabouts and line of site supervision, as required. Complete room, bed, and safety checks at required intervals and complete required documentation.
• Engage and participate in all scheduled staff meetings and be an instrumental team member in supporting young people, by communicating effectively with all program staff, program participants, personnel from other agencies and visitors.

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients, and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 6 months of experience successfully working with vulnerable young people or young people in a crisis, during outreach efforts or in residential setting.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age. DCYF Clearance must be maintained for the entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.
• Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs, and reports.
• Ability to establish new partnerships and foster positive relationships with existing partners.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while building trust and respect.
• Ability to verbally and physically respond to an aggressive person in ways that de-escalate, establish, and maintain staff and young people’s safety.
• Ability to develop and lead programming/classes/activities.
• Ability to assume responsibilities or duties within the agency not specifically delineated in this job description for short periods of time or on an infrequent basis.
• Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or four years of successful experience with young people in a crisis or outreach setting.
• Course work, experience, or training in child or human development, chemical dependency, mental illness, group dynamics, residential treatment, or related experience highly preferred.
• Bilingual

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT Engagement Specialist - Adolescent Shelter (2167)