Youth Support Specialist ORC

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission:

Since 1981 the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care homelessness and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services:

We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support Education Life Skills & Employment and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person a volunteer a community member and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer Flexible Scheduling Powerful Teamwork Personal Fulfillment Thriving Community Professional Development Mental & Physical Wellness Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025 we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust Respect Empathy Inclusion and Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Youth Support Specialist Orangewood Resource Center

Employment Classification: Full-Time; Hourly; Non-Exempt

Hours: Mon Tue Wed Fri: 8:30am-5pm; Thurs: 10am-6:30pm

Reports to: ORC Supervisor

Department: Programs

Program Summary: The Orangewood Resource Center (ORC) is a drop-in center for Transitional-Age Youth (TAY) ages 18-24 to access community resources and short-term case management services to support their transition to self-sufficiency.

Position Summary: Youth Support Specialists (YSS) provides assistance and life skills instruction to all TAY who visit the ORC. YSS will provide basic needs support and assist youth with getting connected to community resources (e.g.: employment education housing etc.) that will assist the youth with achieving their greatest potential.

When considering this job opportunity please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Administer participant needs assessment to identify areas that require immediate support.
• Meet individually with participants to:

*Assess basic needs for shelter food clothing physical and mental health

*Identify appropriate resources and advocate for services

*Assist participants in securing identified resources

*Support participants in accessing longer-term care supports

*Provide crisis intervention services as needed

• Assist youth in developing life skills and positive coping skills
• Attend all relevant internal and external meetings and events advocating for TAY and representing the organizations mission vision and values
• Maintain transparency and assist participants in making informed decisions
• Provide information and education about risky behaviors and its aftermath to participants service providers and other systems that interact with youth
• Foster an environment that promotes harmony partnership alliance healing and thriving
• Distribute ORC basic needs resources (hygiene items meals groceries school supplies emergency work clothes etc.)
• Establish professional collaborative relationships with all outside community partners who provide their services on site.
• Adhere to all program policies and procedures
• Assist youth with becoming familiar with and connecting to appropriate community resources.
• Provide good customer service by responding timely to phone calls emails youth or others who walk into the ORC.
• Complete data entry timely into the Apricot database.
• Participate in cross training across roles within the program and provide coverage and support as needed to ensure continuity of services operational excellence and a collaborative team environment.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a High School Diploma with a minimum of 4 years experience OR a bachelors degree with 2 years of experience with similar case management services.
• Some experience with crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrate a moderate understanding of Trauma Informed Care
• Ability and flexibility to work in a high crisis fast paced environment
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work sensitively with youth impacted by trauma
• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic data entry skills
• Ability to accept and implement feedback
• Make sound and timely decisions under pressure

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundations mission vision and values.
• Enjoys working directly with youth volunteers community partners etc.
• Passion for and enjoys working directly with TAY population.

Working Conditions and Requirements:

• Position is onsite at the Orangewood Resource Center and may require offsite engagement with youth in the community.
• Position requires evening hours and may also require covering weekend hours
• Position may require use of personal vehicle. Physical requirements include standing sitting typing bending and lifting up to approximately 50 lbs. (i.e. tables chairs food water etc.).
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.
• Possess a valid California drivers license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check FBI/DOJ fingerprinting TB test drug screen and previous employment verification.
• A assessment is a required part of the application process and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: BENEFITS

  
  

  Benefits:

  • Medical Blue Shield HMO & PPO HRA
  • Delta Dental
  • Vision (EyeMed Network)
  • FSA Healthcare & Dependent Care
  • Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
  • EAP through Umum & Headspace
  • Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
  • Pet Insurance
  • 403b with company match
  • Cell Phone Stipend

  Time-off Benefits:

  • 5 Sick Days per year
  • Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
  • Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
  • 13 Company Paid Holidays

  
  

  Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids locks and twists) religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices) color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition genetic information marital status sex (including pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions) gender gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning) gender expression age sexual orientation reproductive health decision-making military and veteran status or any other protected group in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.