Description

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: Assisting clients in progressing within Larkin Street’s continuum of services including Education & Employment services with Larkin Street Academy. Also being a constant presence on the ECC general floor area, and assisting clients with all basic needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for contributing towards the care and welfare of clients we serve. This includes crisis intervention and helping to maintain the safety of the program.
• Provide support to the Engagement & Community Center, including the front desk team and food services.
• Engage successfully with a diverse client population who present with a myriad of challenges
• Handle crisis situations through de-escalation techniques and assist clients as they process social and emotional problems.
• Practice life skills in training for youth through modeling, active counseling and motivational interviewing and facilitation of groups
• Promote wellness of the community through a harm reduction approach
• Ensure the safety and security of all clients, staff, volunteers and the facility
• Collect client information through intake and assessment, organize that information by entering data into paper-based and electronic-based data systems and obtain additional information by coordinating with other professional sources.
• Assists individuals by working with other programs to ensure youth are moving through continuum of Larkin Street services and/or city services while helping individuals understand and overcome social and emotional problems.
• In conjunction with internal resources, the Counselor may teach or hold group meetings relating to Larkin Street Core Curriculum and approved educational material.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintaining the cleanliness and operations of the facility including helping to prepare and serve meals, cleaning bathrooms, maintaining storage areas, correct activity schedules and signage displayed, and other tasks assigned by program management

• To participate in professional development activities that enhances counselor skill levels

• Responsible for supporting program services within the milieu. For example, crisis intervention or helping to maintain the safety of the program.
• Responsible for contributing towards the care and welfare of staff and to the clients we serve.

• Participate in professional development activities to enhance skill levels for clients
• Oversee shower, laundry, and clothing closet services
• Other duties as assigned

COMPENSATION:

• DOE
• Choice of Kaiser medical plans, plus dental and vision- (with coverage at no cost for one of the Kaiser and Dental plans as well as Vision for Employees only)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible spending accounts
• Life Insurance
• Vacation- (starting at 3 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks by year five)
• Sick time
• 11 Paid Holidays Floating Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate Service
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Paid Sabbatical following 5 years of employment
• 403(b) retirement plan

This position is represented by SEIU 1021 under a collective bargaining agreement.

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with interest in the non-profit sector. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified. 

Qualifications

PHYSICAL & LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor and appearance at all times.
• Perform tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the requirements of this job description.
• Maintain a creative, team-building, cooperative approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Maintain a focus on the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of staff and to the youth in which we serve.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Maintaining the strictest of confidentiality.
• Ability to work with a diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.
• Requires ability to lift, transfer, push/pull, maneuver, and reposition 25 lbs.
• Ability to reach, bend and walk.
• Finger manipulation.
• Ability to comprehend complex materials.
• Ability to speak and write English clearly and accurately.

EDUCATION: 

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience desired in counseling, psychology or social work

 BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE:

• 2-3 years of experience working with high-risk youth in a shelter and/or transitional or supportive housing program(s) preferred.
• Working knowledge of Harm Reduction and the issues facing homeless youth including substance use, mental health issues, the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
• Must be a self-starter with excellent follow-through skills.
•  Must also have ability to work with high-risk youth and with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers.
• Opportunities for Bi-Lingual in Spanish are available.