Position Summary

Develop positive relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness to better understand their basic needs, especially for food, shelter and safety, and be able to provide additional resources within the community. Be a resource for creating positive referrals and tools including getting Oregon ID to increase access to health care, food, shelter and potentially employment. When appropriate initiate referrals to additional CYFC programs including emergency and residential shelter and the CYFC Basic Center. Create bridges to community resources and assist youth in accessing these resources. Coordinate resources, budget and funding, documentation and statistical input. Time will be spent outside directly working with individuals experiencing homelessness.

This position is a full time, 40 hours per week position with varying hours; includes days, nights, swing, weekends and holidays with a variable schedule. This position includes on call responsibilities.

Duties

• Interact with and work to establish a trusting relationship with youth experiencing homelessness
• Provide youth experiencing homelessness with information about community resources, education and tools for disease prevention, transportation, food, clothing and transitional living opportunities
• Work diligently to connect youth experiencing homelessness to the CYFC’s Street Outreach Program through a referral system and consistent positive mentoring
• Provide individual counseling as needed for crisis intervention, encouragement of youth safety or as requested by individuals experiencing homelessness
• Facilitate, document and provide for, established SOP meal times for youth in the parks
• Maintain professional, positive relationships with community resources and businesses benefiting the CYFC’s Street Outreach Program
• Attendance at case management meetings, staff meetings and any meetings pertinent to youth experiencing homelessness
• Engage in ongoing continuing education and training as assigned
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by CYFC Program Manager

Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills and Ability: Ability to communicate effectively with youth experiencing homelessness, community-based agencies including law enforcement, and co-workers. Knowledge of community resources including juvenile justice department, area youth service systems, educational institutions, emergency shelters, job skills development agencies, transportation resources, health clinics and relevant state agencies. Strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a team.

• Ability to prepare concise, thorough referrals, reports and documentation. Strong desire to assist and aid youth experiencing homelessness to increasingly positive life choices. Ability to effectively facilitate and document individual counseling that is initiated in the street. Demonstrate strong written, verbal and organizational skills. Knowledge of Oregon Revised Statutes relative to juvenile offenders.
• Experience and Training: A master’s degree with major study in social work or a closely allied field and one (1) year of experience in the care and rehabilitation of youth, or a bachelor’s degree with major study in social work, psychology, sociology or a closely allied field and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the care and rehabilitation of youth, or equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of one (1) year of case management. Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and working with diverse groups, including youth from a variety of social economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Valid Oregon driver license and CPR/1^st Aid certification required.
• Physical Requirements: While performing the duties for the job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee occasionally is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description is not meant to be all inclusive, and it is subject to change