Youth Specialist – Passageways (Full-time)

Mission: The Link works with youth and young families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice. Our 23 programs provide supportive housing intensive case management services and skills development to youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness sex trafficking and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Link prides itself on its innovative youth-centered strengths-based programming for youth and families as well as programs that are co-designed implemented and overseen by youth.

Position Specifics

• Hiring Salary Range: $20.24-$23.00/hour base pay based on qualifications with additional 10% geographic differential
• Job Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt
• According to Minnesota State Administrative Rule 2960.0100 Subp. 6C employees of Childrens Residential Facilities must be at least 21 years of age.
• Note: This position requires driving. To be able to drive on behalf of The Link candidates must have a valid drivers license be able to successfully clear a criminal and motor vehicle background check and maintain personal insurance at the levels of $100000 Bodily Injury/Per Person and $300000 Bodily Injury/Per Accident. Job offer is contingent on having these requirements.

BASIC FUNCTION

The Youth Specialists are responsible for the 24-7 safety supervision and security of the youth and building at The Links Safe Harbor Emergency Shelter and Housing Program for commercially sexually exploited youth. This position provides program supervision and is responsible for supporting youth and promoting a safe supportive and nurturing atmosphere. The position is also responsible for assisting in the holistic case-management support of youth and for developing supporting and implementing youth programming that is culturally competent and grounded in positive youth development harm reduction and trauma-informed care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• High level supervision of youth and facility at the Safe Harbor Shelter and Housing Program to ensure safety and security for all youth staff and community
• Consistently and fairly enforce shelter and supportive housing policies
• Develop and facilitate social educational and recreational activities that are grounded in youth development and trauma-informed care
• Interact with police and child welfare for youth who are dropped off to ensure as smooth a transition as possible
• Develop nurturing relationships and maintain healthy professional boundaries
• Conduct full intake with youth entering shelter
• Assist with case management and coordination of services
• Operates phone security and front desk systems to create a safe secure program at all times
• Provide clear and daily communication with Program Manager and other team members to ensure holistic consistent support and services are in place
• Light cleaning and office maintenance
• Group facilitation
• Complete progress/case notes and maintain participant records
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation services as needed
• Provide transportation as necessary or assigned
• Create and maintain a community and culture that is warm welcoming and supportive of all youth 24-7

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preserve the integrity of the programs and agency
• Demonstrate commitment to The Links mission and vision and values of equity diversity and inclusion
• Support the overall growth of the agency
• Maintain positive and healthy relationships with co-workers and other related parties
• Assist where needed as a team player
• Create a safe respectful and healthy atmosphere and environment where everyone can grow and learn
• Participate in special projects as necessary
• Attend all meetings and trainings as required
• Maintain positive and professional interactions with clients co-workers and all parties involved
• All other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Desire to continuously learn for personal and professional growth
• High level of personal and professional integrity including ability to protect and maintain confidentiality and data privacy
• Knowledge of advocacy toward girls and womens rights gender-based violence and/or the commercial sexual exploitation of minors
• Creative and able to engage a diverse range of needs and learning styles
• High level of attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively with and relate to diverse populations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills especially for client advocacy
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize coordinate track and complete multiple tasks as well as adjust to changing priorities
• Computer application proficiency including Microsoft Outlook Word and Excel
• Set schedule; shifts vary; first second and third shift availability
• Preferred knowledge of best practices; trauma informed care strengths-based approach harm reduction positive youth development etc.
• Current drivers license reliable vehicle (with current insurance at the levels required by the Link) and ability to pass a criminal DHS and driving background check
• Consistent regular attendance is required

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with high-risk and vulnerable youth
• Experience providing comprehensive and holistic supportive services to young people
• Training in youth development harm reduction and/or trauma informed care
• Knowledge of issues related to minor sex trafficking and gender-based violence comprehensive programming child welfare and court systems
• Proven experience providing 1:1 and group support and/or programming within a shelter or other youth setting
• Knowledge of supportive housing programs and services
• Must be able to be insured via The Links transportation/vehicle policy and able to drive Link vehicle

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects tools or controls as well as visual acuity
• The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Work environment for this position includes offices common and residential space with a low to high noise level

BENEFITS

The Link offers benefits to eligible employees including medical dental vision flex plan HSA life voluntary life short and long term disability generous 401k with employer match paid time off birthday PTO two days of volunteer PTO 11 paid holidays/holiday pay (shift-based employees) and more!

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

As outlined in our Compensation Philosophy . The Link believes strongly in pay equity and transparency and wages that lead our field for similar roles. To that end The Link will ensure all new hires are offered the highest wage they are eligible to receive within the positions hiring range based on their years of relevant professional experience lived experience and relevant degrees and licensures. The Link has a no negotiation policy which means candidates should not have to negotiate their way to a fair wage for their skills and experience and will automatically be given the highest wage they are eligible for based on their qualifications.

OTHER

The Link is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Link complies with laws relating to discrimination against qualified applicants and employees in hiring or in any decision affecting job status or pay based on race color creed religion national origin sex gender identity marital status disability familial status covered veteran status public assistance status membership in a local commission sexual orientation age genetic information or other applicable protected classes.

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.