Youth Shelter Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for providing guidance, supervision, information and services to YNC participants within YNC Shelter Programs utilizing non-judgmental and positive youth development practices. This position is responsible for following all organizational policies and procedures. Youth Shelter Specialists will be assigned to Hutton House.

DUTIES:

• Assure a safe, non-judgmental environment for program participants.
• Maintain facility according to licensing and/or agency standards.
• Operate agency vehicles to transport clients and complete routine deliveries and pick-ups.
• Establish and monitor daily living routine and reinforce positive, productive self-sufficient life style for all youth.
• Perform crisis prevention, intervention and management while adhering to agency protocols for responding, reporting and seeking support.
• Build rapport with youth and act as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining and facilitating healthy boundaries.
• Facilitate educational, social, recreational and employment activities for youth.
• Support each youths plan to access continuing education and/or employment endeavors and address any biological, psychological or social issues that may lead to homelessness or other non-productive lifestyles.
• Adhere to established shift procedures.
• Maintain facility according to licensing and/or agency standards.
• Accurate completing of all required documentation including data entry.
• Maintain clear and thorough communication with Supervisor and Manager around all programmatic and personnel issues.
• Provide immediate trauma-informed, harm reduction, response to a range of crisis presented by youth with focus on de-escalation, short term problem solving, improved decision making, utilization of healthy coping skills and referral to services.
• Attend team meetings, trainings, supervision meetings.
• Monitor and enforce rules of the program.
• Arbitrate disputes and provide a sounding board for complaints and concerns.
• Follow all legal and licensing regulations and requirements for the program.
• Follow all emergency procedures to assure safety of youth, family, staff and property.
• At designated times, shop for food and prepare and cook meals for program participants.
• Accept and utilize supervision and receive corrective feedback from supervisory staff.
• Complete incident reports on any facility damage, medical emergencies or any incident which occurs out of the ordinary daily functioning of the facility.
• Provide emergency shift coverage if necessary.
• Preparation of assigned reports, work records, statistical data, job performance evaluations, work plans, etc. in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Hutton House Focused Duties:

• Perform childcare and supervision duties at Hutton House to include, but not limited to:

• Supervision, protection and care of children individually and in groups at all times.
• Assistance to each child in working with a group and in handling individual problems.
• Administration of discipline and setting of limits for behavior.
• Notation of the childs progress, identification of the possible need for professional services and communication of such finding to other staff.
• Assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing and other personal hygiene.
• Assistance with administering medication and completion of corresponding documentation.
• Central storing and/or distribution of medications
• Arrangement of and assistance with medical and dental care.
• Maintenance of house rules for the protection of clients.
• Supervision of client schedules and activities.
• Maintenance and/or supervision of client cash resources or property.
• Monitoring food intake or special diets.
• Household duties used toward the development of self-help skills for youth.
• Support staff duties used toward the development of self-help skills for youth.
• Support staff duties (office work, cooking, house cleaning, laundry and maintenance) must not interfere with childcare duties.

• Dispense medication and complete related documentation. Perform medical reconciliation and update medication binder forms and complete all required documentation according to individual program procedures and timelines.

• Assignments of Hutton House shifts:

• Employees may be assigned to day or night shifts, or a combination of both. The assignment of day or night shifts is made based on individual skills and strengths, and for the success of the program as a whole.

The assignment of day or night shifts is made based on individual skills and strengths, and for the success of the programs as a whole. Without diminishing the importance of any requirements or duties, we believe those selected for day shifts should exhibit the ability to:

• Structure client engagement activities (i.e. education time, recreation, chores, relaxation
• Cordially and calmly manage coinciding demands of youth, families, phones, meal preparation and visitors
• Train and supervise volunteers

Without diminishing the importance of any requirements or duties, we believe those selected for night shifts should exhibit the ability to:

• Accurately enter data
• Perform clerical duties
• Ensure shelter preparedness for next business day
• Plan next-day youth schedules (school, appointments, outings, visitors)
• Efficiently and congenially awake youth, prepare and serve breakfast, administer medication and send youth to school
• Maintain and organize all donations

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 6 months related experience and/or training.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Meet all state licensing requirements for group homes; including at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Experience working with youth or young adults and/or working in shelters or group homes preferred.
• Experience and ability to work effectively with youth, adults and community members.
• Prior experience working with historically underserved youth and families preferred.
• Maintain responsibility for entire facility as sole staff for up to 12-hour shift.
• Supervise and care for up to 8 residential clients as well as multiple drop-in clients independently.
• Ability to handle crisis situations and decide appropriate course of action.
• Ability to push or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Pass agency paid criminal justice screening including fingerprints.
• Pass agency paid TB (Tuberculosis) screening.
• Pass agency paid health screening and/or drug testing, if required.
• First Aid training within seven (7) days of employment, re-certification as necessary.
• Valid California drivers license and current proof of auto insurance coverage, preferred.
• Pass agency paid MVR clearance with no more than 2 points- if you are under the age of 25 our insurance company will not allow any points.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Represent the agency in a professional and competent manner.
• Advocate for the best interests of the agency and clients we serve.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, clients, supervisors and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ancestry, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, medical conditions, marital status, amnesty and military or veteran status.
• Will promote and support a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce and be responsive to the population within our service area.
• Maintain confidentiality and confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or agency regulations.
• Participate in assigned scheduled agency meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and other trainings as determined by the supervisor. This includes serving as an agency representative at assigned community meetings.
• Observance of assigned working hours and program appointments by demonstrating promptness and thorough preparation.
• Performance of assigned duties with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration and cooperation.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Perform job duties in a safe manner to ensure a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Participates in and/or supports agency fund development activities and events.
• Preparation of assigned reports, work records, statistical data, job performance evaluations, work plans, etc. in a timely manner.