Youth Empowerment Specialist -- FT

Job Summary

Casa Corazón Emergency Beds Program is aimed at transforming the lives of homeless and at-risk youth, ages 16-24, by providing them with the stability, support, and guidance they need to become thriving members of society. The program is open 365 days a year, 24 hours per day and provides immediate housing and other enriching activities to impact the lives of youth and help them achieve their life goals.

Expected Goals and Objectives

• To supervise and monitor resident activities to maintain a safe and stable living environment.
• Maintain professional relationships with all residents.
• Supervise and ensure safety of the milieu.
• Communicate in a timely and accurate fashion within the program (i.e. client intakes, incident reports, contact with youths’ families, facility inventories, and all shift log entries) and complete all required documentation.
• Support and implement the policies and philosophies of the program and of La Casa Norte including but not limited to Harm Reduction and Sanctuary Model frameworks.
• Utilize de-escalation and crisis intervention skills when needed in a supportive and caring manner.
• To work in a team approach to assist residents in achieving service plan goals.
• Conduct intake needs assessment, create initial action place and refer residents to appropriate services.
• Engage youth in discussions relevant to goals, strengths and barriers to stability.
• Coordinate with other staff including Drop-in Case Manager to ensure continuity of services.
• To help youth develop important life skills.
• Model effective and respectful communication with residents and other staff members while creating a standard of healthy communication for other staff and residents.
• Create and foster leadership opportunities for youth to encourage their personal development and the overall health of the community of Low Threshold Shelter Program.
• Take advantage of key “teachable moments” to help youth develop skills in decision making, conflict resolution, time management, etc.
• Provide and coordinate life skills workshops to youth focused on personal hygiene, sexuality, financial literacy, household management, conflict resolution, anger management, and other areas as needed.
• Implement established structure of support and accountability within the program to allow youth to fully develop in all areas of their life.
• Implement standards of cleanliness and maintenance by performing duties and requesting repairs.
• Leading residents in the upkeep of the Low Threshold Program and working with residents to ensure that necessary tasks are completed.
• Cleaning and sanitizing areas as needed to ensure standards of cleanliness and sanitation are always kept up.

Qualifications

• A High School Diploma required.
• Ability to interact with youth to alleviate social, emotional or environmental crisis.
• Skilled in the techniques of de-escalating aggressive behavior.
• Demonstrate desire and ability to work with homeless, runaway and at-risk urban youth.
• Be knowledgeable in the social, economic, and cultural patterns of Latino and African American populations.
• Be willing to work in a diverse environment in regard to race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation and gender.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Be willing to work flexible hours as needed and have impeccable attendance.
• Have the desire, creativity, and flexibility to work in a new and fast-growing agency.
• Must be subjected to a DCFS background check and complete a medical clearance.
• Must be bilingual (Spanish and English).

Compensation and Benefits Package

• Paid Time Off: 14 vacation days per year.
• Personal Days: 7 personal days per year (may be carried over into the following year but must be used by December 31 of that year).
• Holidays: 10 paid holidays annually.
• Sick Leave: 6 sick days per year (up to 20 hours of unused sick time may be carried over year to year).
• Health Insurance: Medical coverage through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (HMO or PPO options available).
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options available.
• Retailer Savings: 403(b) retirement savings plan.
• Life Insurance: $25,000 in basic term life insurance (provided at no cost to the employee).
• Disability Insurance: Long-term disability insurance (provided at no cost to the employee).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Options for pre-tax savings on eligible healthcare, transit, and dependent care expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support and resources for employees.

Bargaining Unit Status

This position is represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Local 39.

Equal Opportunity Employer

La Casa Norte is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, national origin, or disability.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, walk up and down stairs, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.