Youth Development & LGBTQ Program Specialist

Youth Development & LGBTQ Program Specialist

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Youth Development & LGBTQ Program Specialist (YD Specialist) is responsible for assisting in the creation and implementation all youth development and LGBTQ programming initiatives at Covenant House New York (CHNY), including in our crisis shelter, new transitional sites in the Bronx (Rights of Passage), and our permanent housing programs (New Covenant and Transitional House/Rapid Re-Housing programs). Reporting to the Youth Development Coordinator, the YD Specialist is an energetic, creative and detail-oriented self-starter who is mission-focused and thrives on working and building trusting relationships -- with adolescents and young adults. The YD Specialist is expected to support and assist in creating and implementing and appropriate blend of social and recreational activities, and Life skills workshops, geared towards providing Covenant House youth with a variety of opportunities for growth and development. This includes managing our Restorative Justice Process, creating a monthly program calendar, providing staff coverage; and performing other related work as required. Additionally, the YD Specialist will dedicate 40% of their time to our LGBTQ initiatives, thereby fully actualizing our vision of creating an affirming, empowering, and voice-giving community for LGBTQ youth of color experiencing homelessness. Flexibility, proactivity, and a willingness to work in the evenings and on weekends occasionally are required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Several key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Work collaboratively with Youth Development Team to plan, implement and evaluate life skills programming in order to ensure opportunities for growth and development are made available for all CHNY youth.

• Work collaboratively with Youth Development Team and Volunteer Partners to develop and/or coordinate agency wide events and workshops for CHNY youth.

• Manage CHNYs Restorative Justice Practice

• Assist in managing CHNYs LGBTQ initiatives, which include: Convening CHNYs weekly Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Organizing Pride Month activities, and Strengthening our partnerships with LGBTQ-Affirming Non-Profits throughout the City.

• Facilitate New Resident Orientation

• Coordinate and manage agency wide youth events calendar

• Regularly promote programs so that residents are aware of available opportunities and activities and motivate residents to participate in program offerings.

• Consistently seek out new activities to meet the needs of our youth.

• Provide staff coverage for scheduled nightly program activities to ensure compliance with established regulations.

• Comply with relevant policies and procedures of Covenant House./Rights of Passage

• De-escalate conflicts among clients through non-violent intervention.

• Instruct and demonstrate to youth Covenant Houses Mission and 5 Principles.

• Attend various meetings, and participate in various committees as needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned and needed.

Management and Leadership

• Always upholds CHNYs mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.

• Performs other duties as assigned and needed.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• This position does not supervise any other position.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• Bachelors Degree required

• 2-years Youth Development experience required

• Experience in providing program support for a childcare non-profit organization preferred.

• Bilingual a plus

Knowledge/Skills

• Flexible schedule required; ability to work evenings and weekends required

• Ability to create and maintain professional boundaries

• Project management skills

• Program administration skills

• Excellent interpersonal and organization skills

• Strong mediation/de-escalation skills

• Excellent team building skills

• Stress management skills

• Time management skills

• Drivers License, in good standing, required

INITIATIVE AND JUDGMENT/ATTENDANCE AND RELIABILITY

• Independently recognizes and performs duties that need to be done without being directly assigned.

• Establishes priorities; organizes work and time to meet them

• Recognizes and responds to emerging priorities, accepts changes and new ideas

• Has insight into problems and the ability to develop workable alternatives.

• Responds to supervision, coaching and constructive criticism in a positive manner.

• Adheres to attendance and punctuality requirements per policy. Provides proper notification for absences and tardiness. Takes corrective action to prevent recurring absences or tardiness.

• Observes all policies governing conduct while at work (e.g., telephone and computer use, electronic messaging, smoking regulations, breaks and other related policies).

• Ability to professionally communicate and relate well with all levels of personnel (individuals, peers, customers and related professionals).

• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• High concentration.

• Frequent interruptions.

• Moderate noise level.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending and lifting (up to 20 lbs.).

• Frequent sitting for periods of time at a computer workstation.

Benefits

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to:

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• Life & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance 
• Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire
• PTO includes 3 weeks of vacation in the first year, 10 holidays, 13 sick days, 5 personal days, and birthday days off
• 403b with employer contribution after 12 months

Covenant House New York is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at deptpeopleandculture@covenanthouse.org

Salary : $41,000