Missing and Anti-Trafficking Youth Specialist

About the role

Project Harmony is seeking an experienced and committed MATYS Specialist to join our dynamic and innovative organization. This position focuses on working with youth and young adults (up to 24 years) who are at high risk of sexual exploitation/trafficking and their caregivers. It requires a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that includes meeting clients in their home and/or other community locations. Close collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors, child protection, juvenile justice, mental health providers, and other community organizations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Review all police reports from Omaha Police Department involving missing juveniles to determine program eligibility and acceptance
• Collect information on missing/trafficked youth from child welfare, criminal justice, and Project Harmony sites to coordinate care with child protection, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and other community providers serving this population
• Conduct comprehensive client assessments affecting these individuals and family functioning
• Provide comprehensive case management services to high-risk youth and/or youth survivors of human trafficking within their homes and other locations in the community
• Provide education and advocacy to reduce barriers or challenges within employment, housing, mental health, physical health, and other social service systems
• Collaborate with clients to create safety plans, community reintegration plans, and reconnection to family or informal support plans
• Work closely with local, state, and/or federal law enforcement agencies throughout trafficking investigations
• Absorb and prepare youth to testify and attend court hearings to support them through criminal prosecution of their trafficker. Also, be prepared to provide testimony in criminal court regarding your role/services with the trafficking victim
• Complete all required documentation and follow-up in a timely manner to ensure an effective and coordinated service delivery response
• Maintain a comprehensive list of community treatment providers and resources for families. Coordinate referrals with other professionals, organizations, and agencies within the community
• Co-facilitate psychoeducational groups for high-risk youth and their caregivers
• Ensure culturally competent services are provided to all families we serve without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, or sexual orientation
• Participate in community engagement and training opportunities in order to educate the community about the Missing and Trafficked Youth Program, dynamics, and trends
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Missing and Anti-Trafficking Youth Services

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or related field. Master’s degree preferred
• Experience: Experience working with high-risk youth/young adults and/or youth/young adult survivors of labor and sex exploitation and/or trafficking preferred. Experience working with the criminal justice and child welfare systems is preferred
• Training: Training in working with children and families impacted by child abuse/neglect, crisis intervention, case management (both in-home and community-based), and trauma informed care
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Good working knowledge of community resources and judicial system, knowledge and understanding of family violence, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system, demonstrate communications skills (written, verbal, and active listening), demonstrate understanding of and ability to work with persons of diverse cultural backgrounds, demonstrate strong organizational, time management, and decision-making skills, demonstrate problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and ability to resolve conflicts, knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Products (Word, Outlook, etc.), ability to be flexible, adjust to a quickly changing schedule and handle distractions, interruptions, and stressful situations, high level of professionalism, strong engagement skills and ability to maintain trust with clients over extended service delivery period, demonstrate strong initiative and energy, must be a self-starter and able to work independently as well as part of a team, exceptional work ethic, must respect and maintain confidentiality, must be willing to work flexible hours and provide on-call coverage nights and weekends on a rotating basis, must submit to a thorough criminal history background check, must have access to a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance
• Other: Position involves some travel, primarily within the state