YAC - Youth Development Specialist

About the role

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 14 to 24 build productive, independent and sustainable lives.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain good relationships with appropriate boundaries with youth.
• Assess and meet youth's immediate basic needs such as food, clothing, medical attention etc...
• Manage the day-to-day workflow while providing direct care, supervision, and programming for youth, in accordance to CHMO policies and procedure.
• Transport and accompany youth home, to appointments and partnering agencies in company vehicles.
• Develop, organize, and conduct life skills and group activities to prevent and resolve problems related to human relationships and self-care.
• Ensure that 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 consistent with CHMO service philosophies.
• Conduct life skills training and safety related drills to the youth.
• Provide proper administration of medication and first aid per CHMO policies and guidelines.
• Represent the agency at community based fairs and events.
• Aid in the day to day operations upkeep and stocking of the pantry.
• Lead, plan and/or participate in group activities and meetings for youth as assigned.
• Record and maintain records, required paperwork, and documentation according to agency policy and procedures.
• Assist the onsite manager in planning appropriate community-based and leisure activities for youth.
• 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 Responsibilities

None

Education & Experience

• Minimum requirements: High School diploma, or General Education Diploma (GED)
• Some College or Two years' experience preferred
• Driver's license Required

Knowledge/Skills /Abilities

• 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.
• A 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.
• Knowledge of mental health, trauma, substance abuse, homelessness, etc.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, assessment tools, database systems, and Windows environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform a range of physical motions including, but not limited to: Lifting and carrying up to 15 lbs.
• Moderate concentration.
• Frequent interruptions.
• Moderate noise level.
• Moderate sitting, standing and eye strain.
• Light walking, bending and lifting.