Life Skills Specialist

Description

JOIN OUR TEAM AT YOUTH CONTINUUM!

At Youth Continuum, we're a small but impactful organization dedicated to providing safe housing and essential services to Connecticut's most vulnerable youth. Serving 500 young people annually, we offer the state's most comprehensive support for those facing homelessness or transitioning from the child welfare system to independent living. We're proud to lead efforts to end youth homelessness through collaboration and innovative service delivery. If you're passionate about making a difference, we’d love to have you on our team!

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Life Skills Specialist to work with at-risk youth in the New Haven, CT area.

We have a (1) full-time and (2) part-time position available. 

• (1) Monday -Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• (2) Friday & Saturday 3 p.m.–11 p.m.
• MUST BE FLEXIBLE.

Pay rate: $20.31

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER:

• Opportunities for professional development and growth with in Youth Continuum and across the Clifford Beers Community Health Partner Affiliate Network.
• Supportive work environment and company culture.
• Health and wellness benefits, such as medical with an HSA employer match, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans with an employer match.
• Generous vacation and paid time off policies.
• Employee assistance programs or wellness initiatives.
• A chance to make every work day an opportunity to ensure that the area's must vulnerable youth have a safe bed, critical support services and a path to Independence.

SUMMARY:  The Life Skills Specialist collaborates with other team members to develop a client-centered life skills program that will provide youth with the tools and skills needed to support a successful transition into self-sufficiency and prevent long-term dependence on the social services system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (include the following, but other duties may be assigned):

• Administer the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment and/or LIST assessment.
• Support each client’s adherence to goals on their developed Individual Service Plan.
• Provide documentation of client progress, goals, and outcomes to case management team.
• Conduct group lessons and one-on-one sessions for life skills, employment training, and educational support.
• Develop and administer workshops and/or social/recreational activities based on youth needs, interests, and goals.
• Develop and maintain a network of community resources to be used for client workshops, supports, internships, etc.
• Provide supervision to ensure the safety and stability of program participants.
• Provide supervision and/or upkeep of the condition and cleanliness of resident living spaces.
• Provide case management support to clients housed in the Basic Center Emergency Shelter.
• Monitor and document program participants via announced and unannounced apartment checks.
• Maintain confidentiality of all client records and information.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with program participants. 
• Participate in on-going agency trainings and staff meetings.
• Provide coverage at the program or other agency programs as needed (i.e., inclement weather, emergencies, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned (i.e., clean vacated apartments, intake paperwork, office cleaning, etc.)

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Minimum Bachelor’s Degree plus knowledge/experience in youth pre-employment/training/career awareness/life skills; ability to network with the community, businesses and resources for job development/career opportunities. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately in English both verbal and written.

• Computer literate.

REASONING ABILITIES:

• Able to make sound decisions.
• Able to understand role differentiation between staff and client.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of issues and discuss concerns/observations/ issues openly with management.
• Ability to bring issues to the attention of the Program Manager/Director.
• Ability to collaborate with other Youth Continuum team members, community resources, and residential  staff.
• Able to use judgement when in the community to keep self and clients safe from harm.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, and OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification
• First Aid/CPR Certification
• A current CT Driver’s License 
• Maintain a clear driving record
• Maintain a clear criminal record
• Maintain a clear DCF abuse and neglect record
• Annual TB screening

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to transport self and/or others to meetings, appointments and any agency function.
• Ability to provide physical intervention to youth in crisis utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Ability to endure intermittent walking, standing, sitting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to adapt to an active community based, youth centered environment.
• Ability to work with and be understanding of the diversity of staff and clientele.
• Ability to function in diverse situations and diverse locations.
• Ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions and moderate noise level.

Come join TEAM-Youth Continuum!

Salary : $20