The Youth Specialist of Shelter Services works to create and maintain a safe, clean, and supportive environment for young adults experiencing homelessness. They help to ensure a caring and nonjudgmental environment for young adults accessing services.
Reports To: Manager of Shelter Services
Schedule: Monday through Thursday 10:00pm to 8:30AM
essential duties
Direct Service Tasks
- Provide a safe, caring, and non-judgmental environment for all young adults accessing services.
- Ensure the rules, policies and procedures of Shelter Services are adhered to.
- Check all young adults into the center during scheduled times.
- Conduct searches of each guest’ belongings at check-in time to ensure the removal of any prohibited items.
- Initiate intake and ensure completion for any young adult who is admitted during the shift.
- Provide referrals to appropriate resources such as case management, education, employment, housing, mental health, and substance use services.
- Check in with guests regarding goal progress and completion.
- Monitor laundry and shower use.
- Assist with the prevention of and de-escalation of conflicts that arise between guests, to ensure a safe environment.
- Report any severe and/or extraordinary changes in a guest’ behavior or situation to a manager.
- Consistently check and respond in a timely manner to program related emails.
- Collaborate effectively with team members with the goal of fostering a healthy team environment.
- Partner with guests to develop life skills workshops and daily activities.
Program Tasks
- Assist with serving and cleaning up after meals.
- Ensure doors and other aspects of the facility are appropriately secured at both the beginning and end of each shift.
- Maintain prescribed medications and checked in items in a secure area.
- Facilitate walk-through and safety checks in areas internal and external to the facility.
- Ensure laundry procedures are completed are adhered to during each shift.
- Complete cleaning responsibilities during each shift.
Administrative Tasks
- Maintain daily records of guests in Salesforce.
- Maintain accurate record keeping in guests’ files.
- Model positive and healthy behaviors.
- Record and complete guests’ exit that occur during the shift.
- Ensure copies of necessary file forms are stocked.
- Ensure all WATCH background checks for new and returning guests are completed during the shift.
- Assist with file collection and data for monthly and quarterly reviews.
- Participate in individual supervision, case consultation meetings and team meetings.
job requirements
a. Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
- A minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience, providing direct services to young adults.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish encouraged.
- Demonstrated knowledge of MS365 Power Platform.
b. Additional Requirements
- Must be 21 years or older.
- Must satisfactorily pass criminal history check.
- Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to obtain one by date of employment).
- Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business, must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth.
- Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
- Must successfully complete the following health certification requirements within 30 days of employment: Food Handler’s Card, CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. There are no exemptions.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Able to engage with diverse populations in a culturally responsive manner.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by honoring and celebrating diverse characteristics and expressions of personal identity.
- Strong commitment to Friends of Youth’s mission, vision, and values.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Able to maintain strong personal and professional boundaries.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with youth and young adults.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction philosophy and strengths-based practice.
- Proficient skill set with Microsoft Office programs.
We offer:
- Generous time off including 15 vacation days per year, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, 2 social justice leave days per year for full-time employees
- Health insurance package including medical, dental, vision, 24/7 access to telehealth, long term disability and life insurance
- Retirement plan with match
- Transgender Health Benefits
Friends of Youth is committed to equity and creating a diverse and inclusive work environment as an equal opportunity employer. We welcome, honor, and celebrate our clients, colleagues, and communities’ diverse identities and cultures. For more information, email hr@friendsofyouth.org.
Compensation details: 20-25 Hourly Wage
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