All Covenant House Alaska employees are required to have or obtain a COVID-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment unless an exemption has been approved. All records of vaccinations and approved exemptions will be requested when an Offer Letter is sent to applicant.  All vaccination records are maintained by Human Resources and be stored separately from the employee’s personnel file.

The Youth Engagement Specialist Relief (YES Relief) is a Per Diem, non-exempt position and will join the Covenant House Alaska (CHA) team at various program locations. 

Position Summary

The Youth Engagement Specialist Relief (YES Relief) provides and ensures high quality trauma informed service delivery in many aspects of youth in the care of Covenant House Alaska (CHA) through direct supervision, management, and program development. The YES Relief will build intentional relationships with youth, engage them in a variety of programming and work through their stages of change in order to drive toward long term positive outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Understand, practice, and promote the vision, mission, and five principles of Covenant House Alaska
• Expected to have actual, intentional contact with assigned youth every shift.
• Relentlessly show up and be present in young people’s lives, especially through times of adversity.
• Engage youth in appropriate educational, vocational, and life skill programming.
• Work with team to plan and implement engagement activities.
• Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with the general public, including placement agencies and families of the youth we serve.
• Provide face to face support and intervention to Youth in various CHA programs.
• Maintain a high level of ethical standards.
• Demonstrate an enthusiastic commitment to the job and the Agency.
• Ensure the safety and of youth seen by CHA at all times.
• Provide security of the building, including the surrounding area.
• Keep supervisor fully informed at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

• Although YES Relief employees may work up to 30 hours a week, at minimum they are required to maintain three shifts monthly. YES Relief employees who are only available seasonally and plan to maintain a per diem employment status must have this approved by their supervisor and maintain three shifts monthly within their seasonal status.
• Familiarity with community resources and social services agencies
• Maintain Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) data base through data entry of all work with participants on a daily basis.
• Provide trauma-informed, individualized services to youth in residence:
  • Build intentional, positive relationships and engage assigned youth to ensure they are fully supported throughout the shift.
  • Document in youth files as dictated by program need.
  • Working with the YES Lead, assist Youth in taking steps to accomplish agreed upon goals outlined in collaborative Success Plans.
  • As directed by the YES Lead, establish and maintain contact with family members, as needed and as outlined on the Success Plan.
  • As directed by the YES Lead, establish and maintain contact with all community agencies as outlined on the Success Plan.
• Performs intakes, discharges, answers the telephones, and assists in the operating needs of the program in which they are currently functioning.
• Participates in team meetings, staff trainings and other opportunities for professional development.

Education

High School Diploma required; further education in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or related field preferred.

Experience

Experience working with adolescent or disadvantaged populations preferred; life, volunteer, and internship experience will be considered.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Understand and comply with all Agency policies and procedures; including Child Protection Policies.
• Understand and comply with all principles of Trauma-Informed Care. Willingness to acquire basic concepts in care coordination for adolescents and young adults and incorporate into service-provision.
• Can maintain confidentiality while understanding and complying with requirements of mandated reporting, duty to warn, HIPAA, and other limits to confidentiality.
• Willingness to utilize training opportunities in support of personal and professional growth, competence development, and to increase overall capacity to serve youth every day.
• Proficient with standard computer operating systems. Ability to navigate Microsoft Office Suite, online databases, and other programs and websites as required.
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours as well as Holidays and weekends as needed.
• Able to accommodate a wide range of physical activity, including but not limited to walking long distances, moving up and down the stairs, lifting bags or boxes up to 50 pounds, driving a minivan, and physically assist youth if needed.
• Willingness and ability to attain a CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations.

Covenant House is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Pay rate: $20.00 per hour (flat rate)

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic all CHA Staff are required to: 

• Wear masks during the duration of their shift. 
• Participate in Mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing. 
• Follow 6-foot social distancing rules. 
• Complete screening questionnaire prior to entering the facility 
• Adhere to the State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage’s guidelines regarding, travel, exposure, and symptoms.