Problem Solving Specialist

JOB TITLE: Problem Solving Specialist

REPORTS TO: Access Center Program Manager

SCHEDULE: MondayFriday (9:00am5:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice CA

STATUS: FullTime 40 hrs/wk NonExempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes if yes please reference driving policy

SALARY RANGE: $21.00$24.00/hr

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or atrisk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011 our agency offers traumainformed low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach dropin services health and wellness programming case management education and employment services and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity community collaboration and innovative youthfocused programming. If you have the skills passion and collaborative spirit join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity including (but by no means limited to) racial ethnic gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving longterm systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who selfidentify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equitycentered approach to problemsolving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

A member of the Access Center team the Problem Solving Specialist is able to offer problemsolving (also known as Diversion or Rapid Resolution) services which is a crisis response philosophy and approach focused on supporting youth experiencing a housing crisis to quickly identify and access alternative housing resources outside of the homeless crisis response system. By practicing active listening skills through creative conversations the Problem Solving Specialist supports the youth in crisis to identify viable temporary or permanent housing resources within their own networks or resources such as family or friends. In select cases and as a last resort limited and onetime financial assistance can enhance an individual or familys success in rapidly connecting to alternative temporary or permanent housing.

WHAT YOULL DO:

• Utilize culturallyrelevant active listening and motivational interviewing skills with participants to identify possible supports in their network that can assist them with temporary or permanent housing outside of the Youth Coordinated Entry System (YCES)
• Deliver both field and placebased supportive services as appropriate to participants
• Acquire resources and make successful referrals including followup to ensure the participant successfully accesses and initially retains housing
• Identify safety or health issues that may need to be considered during identification of housing
• Provide mediation between households and property owners/family/friends to assist in resolving housing crisis
• Partner with legal service providers to resolve housing crises
• Negotiate terms of agreements between participants and host as appropriate (e.g. actively seek employment attend to medical/mental health/substance abuse issues complete household chores weekly etc.)
• Ensure services are documented (e.g. face to face phone and collateral contacts) in all relevant databases in a timely and thorough manner
• Assist in budgeting with participants and determine what level of minimal assistance is necessary to be successfully housed or have housing crisis resolved
• Facilitate access to YCES for participants as appropriate including the completion of the Initial Triage and Initial Assessment phases of system access and assessment
• For participants gaining entry into CES provide a warm handoff to sustained case management services where possible or provide initial case management for up to 60 days upon the participant gaining CES access
• Attend trainings and participate in regular technical assistance such as learning collaboratives
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization

WHAT YOULL NEED:

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work Psychology Sociology or related field is preferred but not required.
• 12 years of experience in case management counseling or related experience is required.
• 2 years experience providing direct services to highrisk youth including counseling and advocacy is required.
• 1 years experience working in a dropin center access center or access point is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with cooccurring populations (chronic health conditions mental health and substance abuse) is preferred.
• Cultural Humility and Responsiveness.
• Best practice models including: Housing First Positive Youth Development Authentic Youth Engagement Motivational Interviewing Harm Reduction TraumaInformed Care Critical Time Intervention preferred
• SelfStarter skill set requiring the ability to develop relationships build rapport and trust with members community partners volunteers and staff.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including organizational detail and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to uphold Access Center policy and procedure with members staff volunteers and community partners
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races ethnicities sexual orientations and gender identities in a multicultural environment.
• Works cooperatively with individuals groups and organizations with diverse mission composition function capacity and geographic location.
• Understanding of homeless services including CES and HMIS database.
• Strong understanding of LA County foster care and juvenile justice systems including foster care placement options participant rights and eligibility and discharge planning processes preferred.
• Strong belief in growth mindset selfdetermination and psychological resilience.
• Must have valid CA Drivers License proof of insurance and a clean driving record

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting such as sedentary up to 1520 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9 2021 the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers paid or unpaid in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated weekly COVID19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption please get in touch with HR at the same email address. Its important to note that these accommodations are limited.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with a copy of their valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations including drugs alcohol controlled substances within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving including hit and runs within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents resulting in fatality or serious injury within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individuals employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

driver positions driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employees introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are atwill. It is the supervisors responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill job knowledge motivation and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the atwill employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time with or without cause or notice and SPY has the same right. The organization in its sole discretion may change the job duties responsibilities and assignments of any position at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage 403b with agency contribution and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire promote discipline or discharge will be based on merit competence performance and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal state or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition the organization will consider employmentqualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application.