Youth Development Specialist

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Covenant House Missouri (CHMO) welcomes youth who are runaway, trafficked, at-risk, or experiencing homelessness with unconditional love, absolute respect and a place to call home. Beyond shelter and basic needs, we deliver transformative solutions to help young people ages 16 to 24 build productive, independent and sustainable lives.

In accordance with the CHMO mission and guiding principles, the Youth Development Specialist is responsible for providing goal-oriented support, direct care, supervision of the youth, developing and leading youth activities. The specialist is part of an overall team including, the case manager, program manager, and other support services, who work to engage, empower, and encourage youth toward stability.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct care, and supervision to the youth in the Residential Center, including managing day-to-day activities, in accordance to CHMO policies and procedures.
• Required to work one shift every 30 days, CHMO appreciates any additional shifts you're able to fill
• Ensure the facility is secure and well maintained at all times.
• Report all maintenance concerns to the onsite manager in a timely fashion.
• Maintain an environment in which the needs of the youth are addressed in a manner that is comfortable, motivating, and consist with CHMO service philosophes.
• Conduct Life skills training and safety related drills to the youth.
• Participate in all required trainings and staff meetings.
• Lead, plan and/or participate in group activities and meetings for youth as assigned.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the facility and monitor the household chores of the youth.
• Transport and escort youth as necessary to appointments, etc.
• Complete log notes and other required documentation daily in youth records.
• Assist onsite manager in planning appropriate community based and leisure activities for youth.
• Administer and record resident medication.
• Assist youth in preparing for daily routines.
• Maintain receipts and appropriate documentation for all petty cash expenditures and submit to the Program Manager of Residential Services as required.
• Participate in all required trainings and staff meetings, completing at least 40 hours of training annually.
• Support CHMO service Philosophies-Housing First, Harm reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Strength Based approach, and positive Youth Development- including acting in accordance with all organizational and legal protocol, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in the organization Quality Improvement Program through incident reporting and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure confidentiality of youth personal information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBLITIES:

None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

Minimum requirements:

• AA degree in health and/or human services or related field.
• High School diploma, or General Education Diploma (GED) and one (1) or more years of previous experience in youth based, or related services.
• College degree preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

• The ability to work cooperatively with others to achieve shared goals, showing diplomacy and flexibility when there are conflicting opinions; supporting other people's performance to achieve the best possible results.
• The ability to take control of a situation.
• The ability to relate to, and feel comfortable with, youth and people at all levels and to be able to make and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
• The ability to write concisely and convey meaning in a manner appropriate to different readers.
• The ability to respond to, anticipate, and positively manage change, as it relates to the youth.
• Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent tasks.
• The ability to relate to coworkers and mitigate conflict with coworkers.
• The ability to implement tasks within an allotted timeframe.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• The ability to follow policies, regulations, and laws pertaining to the delivery of human services.
• Knowledge of mental health, trauma, substance abuse, homelessness, etc.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, assessment tools, database systems, and Windows environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Moderate concentration.
• Frequent interruptions.
• Moderate noise level.
• Moderate sitting, standing and eye strain, light walking, bending and lifting.