Job Title:                Senior Youth Outreach Specialist  

Program:                Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP)

Reports to:            CES TAY Program Director

The Coordinated Entry System (CES) is the system in which individuals experiencing homelessness and organizations providing housing and other resources are linked in a systematic and efficient manner. As the lead agency for Service Planning Area 1 (SPA 1), Valley Oasis is entrusted to help coordinate the work of our valued partners in our mission to end homelessness in our region and beyond. Under the direction of the TAY Program Director, the Senior Youth Outreach Specialist is responsible for the innovative and unique development of Youth Outreach and Navigation as well as coordinating and overseeing the daily activities of the Valley Oasis Youth Outreach Team.

Essential Job Functions

• Engaging Homeless Youth via Outreach Activities – Youth Outreach Activities may include but are not limited to: Street Based, Local Hangouts (parks, libraries, shopping malls, etc.), Community Centers, Community Colleges, Charter Schools, Youth Drop-In Centers, Adult/Family Shelters, Community Partner Organizations, and Social Media
• Coordinating referrals and program linkage to other regional programs serving homeless youth
• Collaborate with CES Matchers for housing resources
• Maintaining thorough and accurate records in both written form and through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Collaborate with other homeless outreach entities and Youth Service Providers in the SPA
• Provide mobile, field-based outreach to homeless youth
• Provide guidance, direction, and support to the Youth Outreach Team
• Provide resources and linkage to homeless youth that have identified needs such as mental health, health, housing services and other supportive services
• Maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date resource base for homeless services and referrals
• Work collaboratively with other outreach entities in the community (LAHSA ERT, LAFD, Law Enforcement, Mental Health, Veteran Services)
• Provide guidance to Youth Outreach Team when working with persons in crisis or experiencing symptoms of mental, physical and/or substance abuse illness
• Provide guidance to Youth Outreach Team with HMIS, assessments and needed documentation
• Maintain up to date Clarity (HMIS) records for services provided to participants directly in the field
• Assist with referral requests from LA-HOP system assigned to Youth Outreach Team for follow up
• Delegate daily outreach duties and operations in accordance with Supervisors direction
• Ensure referrals are completed and provide advocacy as needed
• Monitor Youth Outreach Team’s logs and activities
• Conducts standardized screening and triage assessments
• Works in coordination with program Intake Specialist, SPA Outreach partner teams, Housing Navigation teams; Crisis, Bridge, and Transitional Housing Providers, and Time Limited Subsidies/Rapid Rehousing Providers to ensure seamless and integrated care for homeless and/or at-risk youth in SPA 1
• Motivate homeless youth to engage in outreach services and resources that promote well-being
• Screens and immediately addresses safety concerns for youth experiencing domestic violence, and immediately connect to a domestic violence shelter provider
• Coordinate transportation assistance for the purposes of providing supportive services
• Drive agency vehicle to transport youth
• Maintain professional relationships with offices of local Government, and City and County Departments
• Represent Agency at Community meetings and advocate for participants at CES and Case Conferencing meetings
• Engage effectively and constructively with Supervisor to make program and service refinements in the best interests of participants
• Use effective communication skills such as active and reflective listening to build rapport; utilize appropriate motivational interviewing interventions to increase positive outcomes
• Be open and flexible to assisting other departments as needed
• Attend regular team, program, agency, and community meetings as required
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics
• Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the agency’s goals and/or program outcomes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to train, coach and lead in a field-based, office, and virtual environment
• Clear understanding of the challenges of outreach and engagement and a commitment to the oversight of field-based work
• Knowledge and ability to navigate Social Media Platforms to identify and engage with homeless and/or at-risk youth
• Knowledge and ability to utilize Social Media for the purpose of youth engagement, resource promotion, development of an online presence to assist youth, etc.
• Knowledge of marketing and creative platforms such as Canva
• Clear understanding of the concepts of Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Mental Health First Aid, Critical Time Intervention, and the Coordinated Entry System (CES)
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs such as Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, Time Limited Subsidies/Rapid Rehousing, and others
• Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact homeless persons and related public funding sources, regulations, requirements, and procedures
• Knowledge of issues facing homeless and/or at-risk youth (e.g., chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, and resources for undocumented individuals)
• Have a strong understanding of contractual requirements/compliance and applicable performance measures
• Strong knowledge of issues confronted by and sensitivity to individuals with substance abuse, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, history of trauma and co-occurring-diagnoses
• Knowledge of Human and Social Service Agencies and resources in the Community
• Positive attitude, good judgment and the ability to comfortably interact with diverse populations, be energetic and independent and have a strong desire to learn
• Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances
• Ability to problem solve and handle common problems without supervisor intervention while 
• knowing when supervisor participation is warranted
• Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care, in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations
• Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all
• Ability to work with diverse populations and provide culturally competent advocacy
• Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals
• Actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between participants
• Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize strong judgement and interpersonal skills to manage sensitive client interactions including with those who may be in distress with acute illness, substance use issues, co- morbidity of behavioral and physical health issues in addition to homelessness
• Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters
• Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary
• Considers impact of personal and professional choices; consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner)
• Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows, and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Drive
• Strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, while exercising sound judgment
• Able to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends, and holidays when needed
• Able to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants
• Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers, and staff
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required

Qualifications & Experience

• Associate Degree in Human Services, or related field
• Minimum two years of experience in social services, specifically working with homeless youth populations preferably in a leadership role
• Minimum one year experience in homeless outreach service role
• Requires experience working with a wide range of homeless and social service providers, City and County Departments and Elected Officials and the ability to maintain those professional relationships
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Education may be substituted by years of experience

Additional Agency Requirements:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Reliable Transportation
• Auto insurance in good standing
• Clean Driving Record
• Employee will be required to complete a TB test, fingerprinting, drug screen (employment pending on drug screen, background, and Motor Vehicle Report review), 72-hour Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault training and CPR/First Aid certification.

Physical Demands & Work Conditions
 An employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job must meet physical demands described:

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not be attentive to personal hygiene and safety for themselves
• May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care
• May experience crises and potentially hostile situations and must be ready to respond quickly and effectively

An employee is required to:
Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.
 
Benefits

Health	Employee Assistance Plan	Paid Sick
Dental	AFLAC	Paid Vacation
Vision	Cafeteria 125 Plan	Personal Days
Acupuncture/Chiropractic	Retirement Plan
Life Insurance	14 Observed Holidays

 
Schedule
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include early morning, evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status)
 
Salary Range:
$24.00 - $26.00 per hour

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.
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