Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

CSEC OUTREACH LIAISON    

AS OUR DIRECT CARE STAFF WORK WITH YOUTH THAT ARE 13-18  YEARS OLD, 

WE REQUIRE THAT APPLICANTS ARE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

CHC is  looking for applicants that have experience working with youth that have experienced homelessness, who have traumatic histories, are racially and culturally diverse, who may identify as LGBTQ, are gender non-conforming and/or who often face multiple issues and have complex needs. This person will have insight and experience working with youth, utilizing a harm reduction framework, using trauma informed practices and will value working with a multi-disciplinary team to create a  safe inclusive environment for all. DreamCatcher values innovation, collaboration both in and outside our program and passion for the work.

Under the supervision of the Wellness Center Coordinator, this position’s essential functions include becoming the liaison with the local police department, community outreach partners, and emergency response teams; conducting street outreach specifically to known tracks/blades where CSEC are known to be, will provide relentless engagement strategies to CSEC and youth surviving on the streets as well as linkages to resources. The position will have training around providing safety plans, trauma-informed care, harm reduction and positive youth development strategies, as well as virtual youth engagement in a variety of platforms and social medias. The position will require familiarity with social medias and virtual platforms for online outreach services that will be developed this coming year with the foal of utilizing social media and virtual activities for youth increase and support ongoing relentless engagement. Social media functions include leading online ongoing engagement with youth on social media, participate with a social media team to develop strategies and identify emerging best practices in virtual youth engagement.

DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES CHC IS COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR STAFF SAFE AND HEALTHY SO ALL FULL TIME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE HIRED WILL HAVE BENEFITS AT DATE OF HIRE. THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE: MEDICAL, VISION, DENTAL, LIFE INSURANCE AND LONG TERM DISABILITY. OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE PENSION, TAX DEFERRED ANNUITY AND A GENEROUS VACATION PACKAGE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

1. Responsible for ensuring that Outreach activities adhere to all CHC policies and procedures in accordance with the mission and philosophy of Covenant House California.
2.   Liaison with the local police department, community outreach partners, and emergency response teams with the ultimate goal of transitioning CSEC from street to shelter and or the Youth Wellness Center and providing connection to medical, mental health and supportive services. 
3.  Participate in street outreach weekly to known tracks/blades as well as through social media and virtual platforms to support the program’s goals through relentless engagement strategies, you will build rapport with CSEC population, youth living on the streets or in unsafe situations. Engagement will center around supporting the youth in safety planning, harm reduction interventions, crisis intervention, as well as linkages to community partners.
4.  Provide support for youth with whom they engage and support in coming to the dop in center and the shelter. Provide preliminary case management on the street connecting youth with resources as meeting needs of the youth where they are and building relationships with youth on the street to support safer choices. 
5.  Maintain strong understanding and knowledge of community resources, and online resources for youth, CSEC intervention agencies, mental health supports, and state and county resources available for CSEC. 
6.  Maintain strong understanding of best practices in the field with regards to youth street outreach interventions and strategies specifically targeting runaway, homeless, and those in danger of sexual exploitation. 
7.  Responsible for participating in the continued best practice development and implementation of strategies and techniques to assist staff in areas related to crisis intervention, street outreach, youth engagement, and community-based service delivery. 
8.  Responsible for participating with a team in developing strategies, engagement and support virtually through social medias and virtual platforms. 
9.  Develop and maintain strong interventions for both street and virtual outreach that stem from the framework of trauma informed, positive trauma growth, harm reduction and positive youth development models. 
10.  Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with community NGOs staff to ensure service delivery to CSEC and youth on the street as needed. 
11.  Ensures that all written correspondence, demographic data, contract reports and all other documentation are completed and submitted for review in an accurate and timely manner. 
12.  Responsible for all intake information and reporting into HMIS and ETO for all youth moving into housing programs and those receiving support/services on the street or through community awareness trainings/opportunities. 
13.  Must be a licensed driver qualified to drive agency vehicle and provide transportation for youth to shelter programs or medical treatment. 
14.  Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: 

EDUCATION:    BA degree in psychology, social work or a related field is required and a minimum of 5 years of experience working with at-risk youth.

EXPERIENCE:  Minimum 2 years of experience working with community-based programs for CSEC is preferred. Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, clients, vendors and the public. Trauma informed counseling training or experience with harm reduction, safety planning and crisis intervention a plus.

SKILLS: Must have familiarity with social media platforms and online engagement strategies. Must exercise appropriate independent authority when needed. Must have the ability to make independent decisions for client placement. Must be familiar with crisis intervention, mental illness, and community-based service delivery. Must have good organizational skills. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

TRANSPORTATION:   Must have reliable transportation and a valid California driver’s license with good driving record.

WORKING

CONDITIONS:             Full Time, must be able to stand for extended periods of time, bend and lift as needed 30-40 pounds.

SUPERVISORY:           N/A

EQUIPMENT USED:      Drive the outreach van, computers, fax machines, telephone/cell phone, and other equipment as required.

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COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA DOES NOT AND SHALL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION (CREED), GENDER, GENDER EXPRESSION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN (ANCESTRY), DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR MILITARY STATUS, IN ANY OF ITS ACTIVITIES OR OPERATIONS. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, HIRING AND FIRING OF STAFF, SELECTION OF VOLUNTEERS AND VENDORS, AND PROVISION OF SERVICES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF, CLIENTS, VOLUNTEERS, SUBCONTRACTORS, VENDORS, AND CLIENTS.

_COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE AND WILL TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION MEASURES TO ENSURE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, RECRUITMENT, ADVERTISEMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, TERMINATION, UPGRADING, PROMOTIONS, AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE OR JOB APPLICANT ON THE BASES OF RACE, COLOR, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, RELIGION, CREED, DISABILITY, VETERAN'S STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR GENDER EXPRESSION. _