Overnight Weekend Youth Engagement Specialist

Youth Engagement Specialist 

About Us:

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region. Through the holistic integration of its Pillars of Opportunity, Sasha Bruce is able to provide safe homes, life skills, and workforce development to meet the unique needs of homeless youth. For more than 45 years, Sasha Bruce has implemented innovative interventions aimed at ending youth homelessness in the DC region. Today, the programs in DC and Prince George’s County, MD, reach over 6,500 runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected youth, and their families. 

About REACH Program:

The Residential Empowerment Adolescent Community Home, or REACH, is a community based residential facility for committed and detained males ages 13 to 18 who are in the custody of and referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). REACH provides youth involved with the juvenile justice system with a highly structured, service-enriched, homelike environment as an alternative to institutionalization. The expected length of stay for young people is 30 days. REACH also promotes reunification efforts and provides access to other essential resources while the youth are in temporary care. Overall, our goal as a facility is to provide residents with holistic care to help them take the necessary steps to rehabilitate. 

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) is responsible for monitoring the safety and conduct of house residents, engaging in positive interactions with youth and other staff and providing clinical and crisis intervention. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for the reporting, planning and implementation of the weekend activity schedule.
• Makes regular house check inspections inside the building to include checking individual rooms when necessary as well as the area immediately outside.
• Maintains all necessary records, including but not limited to legible, comprehensive, and accurate reports of house activities in the house log.
• Provides crisis intervention and on-site counseling.
• Plans, schedules, organizes, and supervises recreational activities.
• Carries out emergency fire evacuation, and emergency procedures in case of an illness or accident.
• Provides office coverage by answering and recording all calls and visitors.
• Maintains supervision of the house, enforces house rules, and ensures house safety.
• Participates in training provided or recommended by the Agency.
• Participates in regular supervision with program director.
• Attends and participate in monthly staff meetings and other meetings/activities identified by the program director.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned. 

Qualification: 

A high school diploma or GED required with at least 2 to 3 years’ relevant experience in Human Services or related field, preferably working with adolescents/young adults. 

• Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques and model effective de-escalation and problem-solving skills.
• Must have the ability to gain and sustain various background and clearance checks as required.
• Must have and maintain a current driver’s license and be able to drive a SBY vehicle to transport youth and staff as needed.
• Possess basic computer skills and great customer service skills. 
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be detailed orientated and able to multi-task.
• Ability to work extra hours, attend meetings/training, when needed. 

Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.  Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is also committed to comply with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.