Youth Services Aide - Streetwork - Manhattan

About the role

Learn and integrate a trauma‑informed, client‑centered approach using an anti‑oppressive lens in work with clients. Staff the Drop‑In Center throughout the day, providing a friendly atmosphere, engaging clients, offering ad‑hoc counseling, and connecting clients to appropriate resources.

Responsibilities

• Maintain opening and closing procedures, ensuring the space is orderly at start and end of day.
• Oversee the client laundry system: launder towels and sheets, launder and sort donated clothing.
• Conduct intake and assessment for individuals seeking assistance.
• Provide ongoing safety assessment and risk management, crisis intervention, crisis counseling, and emotional support.
• Engage adolescents into program structure using harm‑reduction philosophy, rules, and mutual respect.
• Mediate internal conflicts.
• Facilitate access to daily living needs (food, clothes, hygiene supplies, space to rest).
• Support case managers on behalf of clients with internal and external partners to increase access to benefits and resources; provide accompaniment as requested.
• Provide supportive role in group facilitation and conduct educational presentations on HIV/AIDS, Hep C, risk reduction, and topics related to sub‑populations of homeless youth.
• Participate in weekly case conferencing meetings and clinical group process.
• Maintain routine administrative responsibilities: prepare correspondence, maintain files, manage mail, email, and telephone.
• Participate in staff trainings, staff meetings, and staff group process workshops.
• Participate in weekly supervision.
• Identify new resources appropriate for the population.
• Provide wellness and recreational (engagement) activities.
• Coordinate services with other Streetwork staff and on‑site legal, medical, and psychiatric service providers.
• Manage events in the Drop‑In Center, monitor entrance, oversee concrete support to clients.
• Facilitate weekly group sessions.
• Participate weekly in Harm Reduction Outreach in the community.
• Handle social media posting.
• Order and stock supplies.
• Interact with all Streetwork program sites and staff, all internal Safe Horizon programs and departments, and all external agencies that can support clients.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED or equivalency plus relevant training and experience in human services or related field, including some prior experience working with victims of crime.
• OR two years of high‑quality work at a Streetwork Project site.
• Desirable: personal experience with street survival activities (homelessness, gangs, drug economy, sex industry) with at least three years separation from involvement in these activities, and a deep understanding of the relationship between personal experiences and professional standards.

Skills

• Compassionate approach to others and openness to new ideas.
• Dynamic energy, able to multi‑task and negotiate multiple demands on attention.
• Non‑judgmental approach and ability to empathize with others.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Genuine interest in working with disenfranchised youth and young adults.
• Understanding of and ability to work from a harm‑reduction perspective addressing substance use and mental health issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.

Benefits

• Vacation Time
• Paid Sick Time
• Holidays
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Company Life Insurance
• Medical/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Gym Reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• Employee Learning Center

Pay

Hiring Range: $23.40‑$24.50 Hourly

Schedule

Full‑time Hours: 35 Hours per week