Youth Engagement Specialist

Company Overview

Founded in 2017, Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. To date, CHIL has served nearly 2,000 young people, administering tailored, wraparound services, including interim and transitional shelter, workforce and education programming, clinical case management, life-skills training, and more to help youth permanently escape the cycle of homelessness. CHIL's programs and services are youth affirming, supportive, and rooted in harm reduction and trauma-sensitive care. With a newly renovated campus on Chicago’s west side and a recently enacted three-year strategic plan outlining a comprehensive vision of program expansion and service innovation, CHIL is uniquely positioned to meet the emerging needs of young people experiencing housing instability and provide the resources and care they need to achieve sustainable independence. 

Primary Responsibilities:

This position provides direct, individualized, supportive care to youth who reside in our residential program and/or who attend the drop-in program while establishing good rapport with staff and partnering agencies.

Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure the provision of the highest quality delivery of services to youth in accordance with the Covenant House Mission Statement and Principles and Core Values.
• Assist in the implementation of youth case plans.
• Have an understanding of and support the implementation of Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and Positive Youth Development.
• Participate in required training and team meetings.
• Supervise all youth activities in the space and engage youth in a positive manner.
• Ensure a safe environment for all youth.
• Escort youth to external activities.

• Facilitate and monitor group support services including activities and meetings.

• Document information using case files and ETO regarding all client interaction, caseload progress and outside agency contact. Ensure accurate and timely tracking, documentation, and reporting of data and statistics as required for agency reports using ETO.
• Can maintain confidentiality while understanding and complying with requirements of mandated reporting, duty to warn, HIPAA, and other limits to confidentiality.
• Assist youth with daily activities such as signing up for a locker, accessing shower facilities and/or support with laundry services.
• Participate in special projects which enhance the experience of the youth.
• Provide assistance with events/activities as assigned.
• Are comfortable engaging youth who may engage in substance use and have mental health concerns
• Have knowledge and experience working with the LGBTQIA population

• Perform all additional job duties as assigned.
• Required to do light physical work including cleaning and organizing.
• Regularly required to remain stationary for some periods of time; use hands and fingers; communicate; move; occasionally required to position self to stoop, kneel or crouch; frequently required to reach with and use arms and hands.
• Must be able to walk upstairs and lift up to 10 lbs.
• Work environment for this position includes an offices and residential space with a low to high noise level

Education and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, or a social service field required; or High School Diploma with 5-10 years of related experience.
• Effective written, verbal, listening and communication skills

• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in crisis situations, with effective interpersonal skills
• Must be willing to function as an active member of an interdisciplinary team.
• We operate a 24/7 facility which means full time staff may be required to work a holiday and weekends. Holidays are fairly distributed among staff.
• Hours are 7am-3:30pm

Benefits:

• $20/hour starting wage
• Paid double time for working on an agency defined holiday
• Very low cost to the employee Blue Cross PPO Health Insurance
• Three weeks paid vacation in your first year of employment which increases to four weeks after your first year.
• Paid sick time accrued separately from vacation time
• Four personal days per year
• 12 paid holidays
• 403 (b) Plan. Employee contribution is optional; however, Covenant House contributes a percentage of your salary to your 403 (b) Plan.
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Training opportunities on site to continue your professional development.
• Ability to have a meal with the youth while working on site for your shift

Salary : $20