JOB TITLE: Access Center Youth Advocate - ON-CALL

Open Shifts: Monday- Friday- AM (16 hours per week)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

REPORTS TO: On-Call Supervisor

STATUS: Part-time, 16 hrs/wk, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [If Yes, Please See Below]

HOURLY RATE: $21 - $22/hr DOE

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of nearly 80 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As an on-call member of the Access Center team, the Access Center Youth Advocate will work at SPY’s Access Center location in Venice to provide services for SPY members experiencing homelessness. The ideal candidate will strongly understand direct service to at-risk populations and trauma-informed care. Specific knowledge or experience related to transitional-aged youth experiencing homelessness is a plus.

This is a On-call position. Ability to work daytime hours is required. The On-Call shifts for this position are Monday- Thursday between 10:00 am-5:00 pm. On-Call staff will be notified by phone and could work up to 5 days a week as need exists.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Support essential drop-in services by working at the front desk, in the clothing closet, helping to serve food and other front line tasks when permanent staff call out sick.
• Provide support to programs such as Healing Arts, Education and Employment, Garden and other scheduled workshops and sessions at the Access Center when permanent staff call out sick.
• Support drop-in and other on-site programming as needed
• Keep detailed notes and track data.
• Utilize a harm-reduction, trauma-informed, housing first model when working with youth.
• De-escalate conflict and provide crisis intervention support
• Availability to work evenings and weekends if needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills, including organizational, detail and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to deal with conflict and crisis using mediation and de-escalation techniques
• 1+ year of experience providing direct services to at-risk youth including counseling and advocacy
• Knowledge of Social Service resources for youth experiencing homelessness or at-risk of experiencing homelessness
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment
• Must have valid CA Driver's License and proof of insurance

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.

Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: In an effort to stem the significant increase in COVID-19 positive tests as a result of the Delta variant, the State Health Officer has issued an order, which went into effect on August 9, 2021, requiring paid and unpaid workers of homeless services organizations to provide proof of vaccination and/or booster (if eligible for the booster shot) or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing if still not fully vaccinated. Please send proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. Failure to provide proof of vaccination will require the candidate to produce a negative test result within 72 hours of their first day of employment and commit to weekly testing. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, contact HR at HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. Please be mindful that these accommodations are limited in nature.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, or controlled substances, within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving, including hits and runs, within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents, resulting in a fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal-opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring requirements.