Youth Engagement Specialist

Covenant House Alaska


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.

We are currently hiring for Morning and Evening shift Schedules at the Youth Engagement Center and MACK House:

Youth Engagement Center (Program Specific to young people aged 18-21)

Morning (7:30AM - 3:30PM) (5X8HR Shifts)

Evening (2:30PM - 10:30PM) (5X8HR Shifts)

MACK House (Program Specific to young people aged 13 - 18)

Evening (2:30PM - 10:30PM) (5X8HR Shifts) - Sunday - Thursday

Evening (2:30PM - 10:30PM) (5X8HR Shifts) - Tuesday - Saturday

Evening (4/10HR Shifts, 12pm-10pm) - Friday - Monday

Rights of Passage (Transitional living program that works with young people in building positive healthy relationships and supporting them through life skills buildings)

Overnight (4/10HR Shifts)

Position Summary

The Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) provides and ensures high quality trauma-informed service delivery in many aspects of youth care at the YEC through direct supervision, management, and program development. The YES 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 in multiple settings including, but not limited to the Youth Engagement Center.
  • Maintain a high level of ethical standards.
  • Demonstrate an enthusiastic commitment to the job and the Agency.
  • Ensure the safety and whereabouts of youth seen by CHA at all times.
  • Provide security of the building, including the surrounding area.
  • 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 or 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 Youth Engagement Center or other program elements.
  • Participates in team meetings, staff trainings and other opportunities for professional development.
  • Keep supervisor fully informed at all times.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

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

Experience

Experience working with adolescent or disadvantaged populations is 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.
  • Is approachable, relatable, builds rapport well, and practices active listening with individuals of varied cultural backgrounds, embracing differences in behavior and lifestyle choices.
  • Knowledge of crisis intervention and ability to address conflict between youth exhibiting challenging behaviors; able to respond quickly and safely while continuing to be a settling influence in crisis situations and emergencies.
  • 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.
  • Willingness and ability to attain a valid Driver's License.
  • Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations.

Covenant House is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Pay Rate: $20.00 -$21.63 per hour + Benefits

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. 

Anchorage, AK

3 year(s) ago