Position Information

The Youth Support Specialist will provide a positive community environment to help youth heal from the trauma they have experienced and prepare them to secure and maintain stable housing of their choice.

Avenues for Youth’s original and oldest program is now known as Minneapolis Avenues.  Located in North Minneapolis, this program provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and intensive supportive services for 21 youth at a time, ages 18 to 24.  Annually, the program supports 170 to 190 young people.

In early 2015, we expanded into the northwest suburbs with the opening of Brooklyn Avenues, a 12-bed shelter and transitional housing program for homeless youth ages 16 to 21 from the northwest suburbs of Hennepin County.  We anticipate this program will support 80 to 100 young people every year.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. 

Meeting Basic Needs of Youth

• Form genuine professional relationships with youth by providing time to get to know the youth and meet their needs.
• Engage and supervise youth so that they are provided with a safe environment.
• Utilize opportunities to meet one-on-one with youth to provide mentoring and guidance.
• Meet the basic needs of youth by providing personal care supplies and clothing, as needed.
• Participate in youth wake-ups based on work or school schedule and help the youth be productive by waking and starting their day in a timely manner.
• Provide support for completing homework and school assignments.
• Complete prep work for meals and serve in a timely manner.

Coaching on Independent Living Skills

• Guide youth toward Independent Living Skills by assisting them to establish routines that help prepare them to live on their own and to be successful and stable in housing, school, work, and relationships.
• Provide support and assist youth in gaining independent living skills.
• Assist other staff to provide support and connect youth to appropriate resources and make progress on personal goals.
• Address crises and conflict in a calm, respectful, and timely manner.
• Assist youth with house chores and sign off on completed chores.

Managing the House and On-Site Supervision

• Provide proactive intervention of conflict between youth to prevent escalation.

• Answer the phones and the door and direct visitors appropriately.
• Provide callers in crisis with counseling and appropriate referrals.
• Answer phone calls regarding youth housing and refer to appropriate resources.
• Document the demographic information of youth turned away.
• Complete a thorough intake with youth once they are accepted into the program.
• Do room checks every hour and document who is present and absent.
• Consult the shift checklist to prioritize and complete tasks.
• Engage & encourage youth in ILS and completing chores.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the house; complete unfinished chores. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Communication and Paperwork

• Role model positive social interactions by involving youth in positive conflict resolution opportunities.
• Fax forms to county.
• Journal daily activities.
• Communicate verbally the issues of the house at the end of each shift to the next staff person on duty (pass-on communication).
• Document in each youth’s file and pass-on log to communicate information in a timely manner, i.e., at the end of each shift.
• Complete production forms for meals.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS in social work, human services, education, or related field; three-to-five years of related experience and/or training; or the equivalent combination of education, lived and work experience, and training.
• Possess basic computer skills including use of email, time clock and time tracking.
• Be at least 23 years of age.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, twist, kneel, and communicate. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We embrace diversity, foster inclusion, and do our work through an equitable lens. Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, other minorities, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Compensation

$20.77-$22.50, depending on qualifications, and participation in our 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan. Additional benefits for employees regularly scheduled at least 24 hours per week include Health, Dental, Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance. Generous paid-time off including 9 holidays and a floating holiday.

Job Title: Youth Support Specialist

Department:   Shelter and Transitional Living 

Primary Location: Minneapolis Avenues

Reports To:   Program Manager

Employment Status: Full Time Hourly Non-Exempt 

Core Schedule: 8:00pm to 4:00am. 7 days on 7 days off.

Please include your resume, cover letter and references with your application.

JOB CODE: 1000053