AT YOUTHCARE: We value hard work and dedication to helping young people experiencing homelessness move from survival mode into thriving and healthy young adulthood. We also value a sense of humor and respect of each other and the young people we serve. YouthCare serves young people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious beliefs, and we seek a workforce that reflects that diversity.ABOUT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential. Founded in 1974, YouthCare was one of the first programs to serve runaway and homeless youth on the West Coast. The goal was to help young people find safety today and build a future for tomorrow. Over four decades, we've defined best practices and developed programs that are a national standard for excellence. Using a youth-centered approach, we ensure that young people experiencing homelessness ages 12-24 have the hope, skills, and confidence to gain long-term stability.COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare. Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at the time of On-Boarding. Please note: Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.WORK SCHEDULE: This position is part-time regular (0.65 FTE = 26 hours per week) and non-exempt. The work schedule would be Monday - Thursday (9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.).TEAM OVERVIEW: The Engagement and Workforce Services Team includes approximately 55 team members focused on building relationships, restoring trust, and planning for the next steps as youth and young adults prepare for independence. The staff helps young people learn soft skills and take attainable first steps toward longer-term employment. The Team offers transformative ways to build skills and confidence to explore a career and gain long-term employment. The Engagement and Workforce Services Team spans seven program sites- Orion Center; UDYC; South Seattle site; YouthBuild programming at the South Seattle College campus; YouthGrow programming at the Interagency Academy; the Denny Shell space; and the Constellation Center (slated to open in 2026).The Engagement and Workforce Services division within YouthCare's Programs Department is responsible for connecting youth and young adults to services that provide continuity and stabilization, connecting young adults to critical resources and services to prevent homelessness, outreaching into the community to educate the public, and share the work YouthCare is doing to end youth homelessness; and working internally to foster an integrative service delivery approach that elevates team member competencies and success in providing culturally relevant services.POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Program Manager and in collaboration with the broader GED team, this role will plan, deliver, assess, and revise quality education programs to support participants in their GED attainment and educational goals. This position will focus on providing instruction and direct assistance in core academic GED subjects (social studies, science, language arts, and math), as well as developing skill specific instruction and workshop curriculum to aide youth in their educational goals.This role will additionally be accountable for all required data management, budget compliance, collaborative policy and procedure creation and implementation, and partnering with internal and external stakeholders, including volunteers, other YouthCare staff, and community partners to ensure client progress toward YouthCare's 4 core outcomes - housing stability, economic stability, wellness, and networks of support.ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build trust and rapport with young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, young people who have experienced sexual exploitation, and /or young people who are at risk.
- Engage, support, coach, and develop young people using healing-centered engagement practices and a strength-based approach.
- Coordinate with internal and external partners for the successful delivery and growth of programming. The type and scope of partners will vary by program.
- Lead on-site and in-person classes, workshops, activities with young people. Incorporate youth feedback when designing, delivering, and adjusting programming.
- Complete all necessary reporting, incident reporting, documentation, and data collection according to agency standards.
- Read and maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, emails, logbooks, and other types of documentation.
- Comply with the agency's mandated reporting requirement and report suspected abuse, neglect, or sexual exploitation of minors within the required timeframe.
- Execute Performance Quality and Improvement (PQI) tasks and accreditation standards and adhere to all agency policies and procedures.
- Effectively de-escalate youth and/or families in crisis.
- Attending and actively participating in staff meetings, supervision meetings, program incident de-briefs, or other required meetings.
- Participate in all required training. Annual training requirements vary by program.
- Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all site and programmatic staff, partners, and volunteers to create a nurturing dynamic, and constructive environment for young people.
- Act as a professional representative of YouthCare and maintain a professional working environment (office, personal workspace, agency vehicle, etc.).
- Maintain a flexible work schedule and must be willing to be cross trained in providing support, as required by individual program needs.
- Reliably attend and participate in training and development as needed for your role and the needs of our Agency as a whole such as program requirements, DEI&J, supervision, and others as identified.
- Contribute to our DEI&J culture by creating at least one SMART Goal related to DEI&J within your control to deliver.
This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.WHAT YOU BRING:
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and equity.
- The ability to maintain positive regard for young people despite periods of ambiguity and opposition.
- Coachability, and a desire to engage in candid two-way feedback as a means for professional growth.
- Demonstrated professionalism through a positive and cooperative attitude and by maintaining the confidential and proprietary nature of client/staff relationships and related work products.
- The ability to maintain stable performance under pressure or conflict; handle stress in a manner that maintains teamwork and respect for others and to the agency.
- Initiative, creativity, and flexibility.
- Experience with and demonstrated integrity when working with diverse populations and cultures.
- Sense of humor and joy for the work
QUALIFICATIONS -MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- 1 or more years of case management experience.
- 1 or more years working with young people experiencing homelessness and/or that have been sexually exploited, victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault, and labor trafficked.
- Experience working in crisis situations and de-escalation techniques.
- Understanding of issues affecting young people experiencing homelessness; knowledge of age-appropriate resources.
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age. DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- 2 or more years of case management experience.
- Knowledge and experience working with disadvantaged young people in the areas of crisis intervention, child abuse/neglect, juvenile justice, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, public assistance rights, sexual abuse and assault, family dynamics.
- Bachelor's degree in social work or related field and/or experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
- Previous education or training in the areas of social work, youth development, anti-oppression, chemical dependency, and root causes of poverty and social justice issues.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
- Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one year of hire date).
- Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position, must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid Washington State Driver's License, meet minimum safe driver criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Defensive Driving and 15-passenger Van trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3 years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
- Ability to obtain a current Food Handler's Card
- Successful completion of pre-service training courses as required by contracting agencies. Training such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Behavior Management.
- Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
- Initiative, creativity, reliability, flexibility, thoroughness.
- Demonstrable verbal and written communication skills.
- High integrity when dealing with a broad array of cultures and restricted and/or confidential information.
- Ability to deal therapeutically with behavioral and emotional problems presented by young people and understanding of emotionally, physically, and sexually abused young people.
- Ability to coordinate overall program functioning.
- Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs, and reports.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while building trust and respect.
- Ability and willingness to stay awake and alert during overnight shifts.
- Ability to verbally and physically respond to an aggressive person in ways that de-escalate, establish and maintain staff and young peoples' safety.
- May be required to assume responsibilities or duties within the agency not specifically delineated in this job description for short periods of time or on an infrequent basis.
- Commitment to YouthCare's initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.
PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
- Ability to perform a range of physical motions, exerting up to 50 pounds. Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; running for brief periods of time; and go up and down stairs.
- Ability to lift and carry tools and supplies.
- Ability and comfort working outside daily, in various weather conditions.