AT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare envisions a community where no young person experiences homelessness, all young people have the opportunity to thrive, and the systems that oppress them are dismantled. YouthCare serves young people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious beliefs, and we seek a workforce that reflects that diversity.

ABOUT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential. Founded in 1974, YouthCare was one of the first programs to serve runaway and homeless youth on the West Coast. The goal was to help young people find safety today and build a future for tomorrow. Over four decades, we’ve defined best practices and developed programs that are a national standard for excellence. Using a youth-centered approach, we ensure that young people experiencing homelessness ages 12-24 have the hope, skills, and confidence to gain long-term stability.

COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare. Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at time of On-Boarding.  Please note: Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

NON-MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES’ INTERNATIONAL UNION (OPEIU) Local 8.

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under the supervision of the Outreach Specialist, the Community/Street Outreach Worker engages youth ages 18-24 presenting homelessness-involved situations including living on the streets, trafficking, exiting incarceration and hospitalization, and living in unauthorized encampments. The Community/Street Outreach Worker will facilitate and participate in wrap-around services, coordinating with teams at YouthCare and with community providers and partners aligned to YouthCare’s 4 core service delivery outcomes – safe and stable housing, financial stability, wellness, and a network of support. This position will regularly visit unauthorized encampments to conduct street outreach, provide supports, collect data, and report on outcomes.

TEAM OVERVIEW: The Centralized Client Services Team includes approximately 29 team members focused on creating a strong safety net of coordinated client services for youth and young adults. Staff work alongside clients engaged in services at any of YouthCare’s 17 sites, including local schools, community centers, and other community-based locations

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage youth living outside, in vehicles, or in unauthorized encampments in areas assigned by the Outreach Specialist
• Work drop-in shifts as needed to build and strengthen relationships with the youth and facilitate engagement activities
• Build trust and rapport with homeless youth on the street, and encourage youth movement from outside to emergency services, case management, education, and employment programming
• Identify the barriers that are preventing youth from accessing shelter, and help them develop safety plans.
• Conduct daily street outreach on foot in various weather conditions, while carrying up to 40lbs
• Provide de-escalation, crisis intervention, and basic counseling services.
• Develop relationships and collaborate with other community agencies to facilitate contacts and services for youth.
• Refer youth to appropriate and necessary services.
• Complete necessary paperwork and data collection
• Support program staff at YouthCare’s engagement centers.
• Participate in regular supervision, clinical consultations, weekly staff meetings, as well as community-based outreach meetings.

This job description does not cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –            

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:    

• Two or more years of successful work with homeless youth, sexually exploited youth, or high-risk youth populations
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with homeless youth and youth who have experienced sexual exploitation or are at risk.
• Familiar and comfortable with engaging youth on the streets and utilizing a harm reduction approach in response to sexual activity, drug use, and other potentially risky behaviors.
• Ability to work as a member of the team that encourages personal and professional growth.
• High School Diploma, or GED
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age.  DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to drive YouthCare vehicles, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, successfully pass required Defensive Driving Course, and meet driving criteria established by the agency and its insurance carrier.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social work, or related field, or three years of successful experience with youth in a crisis or outreach setting
• One year of experience conducting street outreach or related experience
• Fluency in Spanish or highly proficient level of Spanish-speaking ability
• Experience working with families in crisis.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
• Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one-year of hire date).
• Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position, must be at least 21 years of old, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, meet minimum safe driver criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Defensive Driving and 15-passenger Van trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3-years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
• Ability to obtain a current Food Handler’s Card
• Successful completion of pre-service trainings as required by contracting agencies.  Trainings such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Behavior Management.
• Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• May have to perform a range of physical motions such as standing, walking, sitting for prolonged periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; moving rapidly for brief periods of time; and going up and down stairs

BENEFITS: YouthCare provides a competitive benefits package to full time employees including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave after successful completion of the 90-day Introductory Period.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: YouthCare is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs and YouthCare is committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, regardless of actual or perceived sex; race; color; religious creed; national origin; ancestry; age; marital status; pregnancy; nursing parent status; physical, mental or sensory disability; medical condition; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); military or veteran status; or any other basis protected by federal, state and/or local laws. People of Color and Members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.