Youth Engagement Specialist (South)-AmeriCorp Member

You must list Covenant House New Jersey as your agency on your application.

Overview

The AmeriCorps member will possess excellent communication and organizational skills and provide support to young people that is strength-based, trauma-informed, and harm reduction focused. The member will model our mission of providing absolute respect and unconditional love to all young people and will value working within a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe, inclusive environment for all. The member is responsible for ongoing engagement and resilience-building activities, assessment, and service planning with young people to meet their housing, health and wellness, employment, and educational goals as they move toward permanent housing.

Responsibilities

• Provide unconditional positive regard to young people regardless of behavior, race, class, culture, country of origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, language capacity, or ability to complete case plan requirements.
• Provide case management services and relationship-building activities with the goal of developing positive relationships with young people through the utilization of the case management system, including:
  • Welcome young people to the program, ensure they feel comfortable, safe, and understand the program structure, opportunities for engagement, and access to supplies that they might need.
  • Build a supportive relationship with youth that encourages them to find their voice and connects them to opportunities, experiences, and resources that enrich and enhance their lives.
  • Conduct all required assessments and document in file and data systems.
  • Develop a Success Plan with each young person upon completion of assessment. Revise and update the Success Plan routinely and as necessary.
  • Maintain a calendar of the young people's work schedule, appointments, etc., in conjunction with their Success Plan to support their journey.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of and connection to community resources. Make appropriate referrals for services within CHNJ and to community agencies.
• Engage in positive transition planning with the young people.
• Monitor young people's progress of self-identified goals and coach young people to plan, implement, and follow-through with tasks.
• Motivate young people to explore and improve wellness, education and employment, financial literacy, and social navigation goals and any other areas that will impact their success plan.
• Monitor youth while taking medication and document accordingly in the Medication Logs.
• Engage with youth in daily House Activities, including assisting in completing chores, dining, joining in cooking and other fun activities, bus tickets, and ongoing movement throughout the day.
• Provide crisis de-escalation and intervention as necessary according to training and best practices.
• Engage and meet with youth for their Success Planning meetings.
• Accurately document all interactions, assessments, and interventions in ETO (Efforts to Outcomes) in a timely manner.
• Maintain current, complete, and confidential hard copy case files for all assigned youth.
• Complete and update intake and discharge documentation in the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) in accordance with agency standards.
• Document pertinent information in Youth Incident Report, Medication Logs, and House Activity Logs.
• Deliver financial literacy support, including teaching budgeting and connecting youth to local banks or credit unions.
• Provide employment readiness assistance by helping youth build resumes and practice interview skills.
• Support youth in accessing stable housing opportunities through referrals, applications, and landlord engagement.
• Facilitate youth group activities which support the 5 resiliency objectives: Wellness, Social Navigation, Financial Literacy, Education and Employment, on a regular basis.
• Participate in community outings and local events alongside youth to foster social connection and life skills.
• Facilitate structured activities and workshops that promote non-violence, conflict resolution, and community-based violence intervention.
• Perform all duties assigned by the supervisor to meet the needs of young people while ensuring adherence to the daily program schedule.
• Ensure that the PC box, shift logs, and car keys are accounted for and up to date.
• Attend weekly supervision with supervisor and weekly meetings as assigned.
• Attend professional development training as assigned.
• Comply with all agency policies and procedures and Child Protection standards.
• Read and respond daily to all emails, calendar invites, voice mails, and any other agency communication.
• Utilize agency resources for agency use only, which include but are not limited to vehicles, computers, and telephones.
• Assist as needed with fundraising affairs and special events which may be conducted outside the member's normal work schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Preferred experience with young people ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness or human trafficking, or who have lived expertise.
• Knowledge of public benefits and community resources in NJ.
• Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work well with others.
• Knowledge of adolescent development and ability to build positive rapport with young people.
• Excellent communication skills as demonstrated by concise, timely, and professional correspondence, both written and verbal.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.
• Must have a valid NJ driver's license and good driving record. May need to transport clients/staff if required using agency transportation.
• Must be able to utilize basic word processing, email, and internet programs.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

Schedule

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: 2:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Benefits

• Living Allowance: Distributed bi-weekly. For 1200-hour members: up to $15,400 over the course of the service term (pre-tax amount).
• Education Award: A significant benefit to serving in AmeriCorps. Although taxable, it can be used to pay down qualified student loans, student expenses, or tuition. Awarded upon successful completion.