Overnight Youth Engagement Specialist

At Sasha Bruce: We value hard work and dedication to helping homeless youth move into strengthened family relationships and thriving young adulthood. We value a sense of respect for each other and the youth we serve. We seek people to work in our organization who reflect the values of respect for all religious beliefs, gender identities and abilities.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) is responsible for the coordination of the daily activities of the Chloe House. The YES creates a safe and caring environment for high risk youth in residence that are in crisis. The position requires an individual who can actively contribute to a positive, stable, responsive and responsible environment for youth. The YES is responsible for monitoring the safety and conduct of house residents, engaging in positive interactions with youth and other staff and providing clinical and crisis intervention as needed. This is an Overnight position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide on-site supervision, while maintaining professional boundaries, and crisis intervention and counseling services to youth in residence. Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques and model effective de-escalation and problem-solving skills.
• With direction from Program Manager, help plan for, direct, and/or provide support for recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that are in alignment with treatment or permanency goals.
• Answer and record all phone calls and visitors, maintain supervision of the house, enforce house rules and ensure house safety. Work collaboratively with other SBY staff, programs, families, collateral agencies, to help youth develop or follow-through on individual service plan goals.
• Engage 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.
• Facilitate 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 and checks individual rooms routinely.
• Maintain necessary records, including but not limited to, legible, comprehensive and accurate reports of house activities in the house log, daily point logs, etc.
• At times, prepare and cook meals for up to 15 youth.
• Oversee 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.
• Carry out emergency fire evacuation and emergency procedures in case of an illness or accident.
• Assist with shift-coverage when schedule gaps present due to staff shortage including a willingness to work occasional weekend or evening/early shifts.
• Participate in required annual training required by licensing agency or by Program Manager or Clinical Director
• Participate in regular supervision and staff meetings as assigned by Program Manager
• Keep all required clearances up to date.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

•High School Diploma or GED with 2 to 3 years’ relevant experience in Human Services or related field (preferably working with adolescents/young adults).

All candidates must possess a valid Driver’s License, obtain the required DC clearances (and other states as applicable) and provide any additional information regarding previous records, if necessary.