At Covenant House Alaska we are in the people business.  We provide holistic services to young people who come to us from circumstances beyond their control.  Our people provide absolute respect and unconditional love to youth who deserve a chance to be the best version of themselves.  When you join our team, you become part of a massive movement to interrupt the path to chronic adult homelessness.  The pay is competitive, the benefits package is best in class and the experience is life changing. We look forward to meeting you. 

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.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

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

Minimum 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