Peer Youth Counselor

Prince Georges County DropIn Center

Peer Youth Conselor

About Our Organization:

Sasha Bruce Youthwork is one of the largest and most experienced providers of services to youth in the Washington DC area. Our mission is to improve the lives of runaway homeless abused neglected and/or atrisk youth and their families in the Washington DC area. We achieve this by providing shelter counseling life skills training and positive youth development activities to approximately 1500 youth and 5000 family members each year. With more than 45 years of experience meeting the growing needs of youth and families with innovative programs Sasha Bruce Youthwork is always willing to listen and ready to help.

Job Summary:

The PGC Drop in Center Peer Youth Counselor provides services to adolescents and young adults impacted by homelessness and involved in street activities (gangs violence drug use/sale and survival sex). Services provided by the Youth Recovery Specialist includes assistance in case management referrals outreach crisis transportation daily living services (food shower and respite for example) triage counseling recreational activities support groups and life skills education classes and activities. The Youth Counselor coordinates with the PGC DropIn Center Director Case Manager and other supporting programs and local agencies to provide short and longterm care necessary to meet the wide range of needs related to homeless and disconnected youth. This position is Monday through Friday 10 AM 6 PM to include some evenings and weekends.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Works in collaboration with other team members at the DropIn Center to coordinate supportive services for clients and provides concretes support to clients including preparation and/or service of food access to shower and laundry facilities support with mail respite hygiene supplies vital documents computer lab and other related supports;

Supports orientation and intake for individuals seeking assistance;

Participates in crisis intervention and individual counseling; supports reparative interventions as part of a harm reduction approach; and mediates client conflicts when appropriate;

Engagement of youth into program structure using a traumainformed harm reduction philosophy and the principles of positive youth development;

Supports various events at the site including holiday activities speakers etc.;

Facilities or cofacilitates wellness recreational engagement activities educational presentations on related topics life skills education activities and groups as assigned;

Provides information to homeless youth in accessing resources and advocates for their access;

Escorts youth to appropriate services and provides transportation as part of case plan as assigned

Conducts street outreach to homeless and street involved young people as assigned

Maintains routine administrative responsibilities to include the preparation of correspondence maintaining files writing case notes mail email and answering the telephone;

Performs all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program

Demonstrates respect for all individuals with whom they come into contact with including other SBY program staff and community members;

Ensures confidentiality is kept in all interactions with youth and staff members;

Participates in staff trainings staff meetings and other related workshops; and

Participates in weekly supervision and case conferencing

Qualifications:

Transitionaged youth up 26 years old; personal experience with street survival activities (homelessness gangs drug economy sex industry) with at least 1 year separation from involvement in these activities;

High school diploma or GED required;

Genuine interest in working with disenfranchised youth and young adults;

Willingness to learn about the harm reduction philosophy traumainformed provision of services and positive youth development strategies;

Flexible schedule position will require some weekend and evening hours;

Bilingual skills (English and Spanish) are a plus;

Ability to deal with a multicultural and diverse setting desired;

Experience working with LGBTQ youth is a plus;

Strong communication and organization skills;

Dynamic energy able to multitask and negotiate multiple demands on attention;

Basic understanding of computer and database systems for managing case records;

Preferred

Resident/knowledge of Prince Georges County social service resources

Reporting to the Program Director this is a fulltime nonexempt level position. All candidates are required to possess a valid Drivers License pass required MD clearances (and other States as applicable) and provide any additional information regarding previous records.

Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age or veteran status. Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc. is also committed to comply with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.