Education and Employment Specialist

JOB TITLE: Education and Employment Specialist

REPORTS TO: Education and Employment Supervisor

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (11:00am-7:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice CA

STATUS: Full-Time 40 hrs/wk Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes If yes see driving policy below

SALARY RANGE: $24.00/hr

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011 our agency offers trauma-informed 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 drop-in 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 youth-focused 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 long-term systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

A member of the Education & Employment (E&E) Team the E&E Peer Navigator will work to support and enhance the accessibility and relevance of the E&E program through the provision of peer support volunteer/facilitator training and survey collection. The SPY E&E Peer Navigator will also be responsible for community advocacy outreach and engagement supporting SPY members and engaging in Innovations 2 activities and partnerships.

This includes but is not limited to participation in community and local government meetings; speaking engagements; and planning and leading the Venice Youth Network meeting SPYsocial SPY Squad and MyPath.

WHAT YOULL DO:

Programmatic Support 50% Time

Development:

Develop facilitate and maintain data for weekly E&E peer-support/discussion group

Support workshop facilitators to identify ways in which E&E workshops can best be adapted to the needs of SPY members

Recruit SPY members to participate in E&E workshops and activities

Support:

Manage and regularly update E&E Celebration board

With the E&E Specialist train E&E volunteers to best support members various

education and employment needs during Drop-In

Support the E&E Specialist in the E&E Drop-In Office workshops and field trips as

needed

With the E&E Program Manager develop program-specific (E&E Drop-In Office SPY

Garden) training guidelines for E&E volunteers

Program Evaluation:

Develop and conduct member feedback surveys

Evaluate program to identify ways in which E&E can be more accessible or useful to youth experiencing homelessness

Advocacy Outreach Engagement 50% Time

Understand and be able to speak to all components and partners of SPYs Innovation 2 grant from the Department of Mental Health (DMH)

Develop an understanding of the Los Angeles service provider landscape and network with community agencies to provide youth with referrals and linkages to address needs

Foster collaborative and supportive relationships with SPY members in order to engage them in SPY programming and partner services

Work with a multidisciplinary team in the access center to meet the immediate as well as longer-term needs of youth experiencing homelessness

Plan recruit for execute and lead monthly Venice Youth Network meeting in collaboration with other peer navigators and the Innovation team

Co-locate at partner agencies and/or accompany youth to partner agencies to support SPY members in addressing their needs as needed

Serve on SPYsocial advisory group to develop methods for better engaging with youth via social media

Develop leadership and advocacy skills through weekly participation on SPY Squad SPYs youth advisory meeting

Table and recruit members to participate in groups meetings and partner activities including but not limited to SPYsocial SPY Squad MyPath and Venice Youth Network

Attend DMH convenings such as the SAAC 5 Mental Health Network and Health Neighborhood meetings

Actively participate in outreach and engagement activities including attending at minimum 2 community engagement activities and 3 street outreach sessions per month

Participate in staff meetings conferences training supervision and evaluation

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

WHAT YOULL NEED:

Bachelors Degree is Sociology Psychology or any related field.

1-2 years of experience providing employment services to people experiencing homelessness is required.

A commitment to and passion for the mission vision values and culture of SPY

A willingness to work collaboratively as part of the SPY team and the ability to work harmoniously as part of a diverse workforce

A devotion to ensuring SPYs sites remain clean beautiful and a hopeful place for all who enter

A strong interest in providing direct service to youth experiencing homelessness and pursuing a career in the field of social services

A self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization

An ability to work in a fast paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of organizations and individuals

Able to take a strengths-based approach when working with others

Knowledge of trauma-informed care harm reduction and housing first models

Must possess great communication and organizational skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Drive

Lived experience of homelessness preferred

1 years in experience providing direct services to high-risk youth is a plus

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook) and Google Drive (preferred)

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 15-20 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.

COVID-19 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 COVID-19 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 at-will. 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 at-will 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 addition the organization will consider employment-qualified 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