Youth Housing Navigator

Job Title: Youth Housing Navigator

Location: Fargo, ND, with travel throughout Eastern ND

Reports to: Homeless Program Manager

Supervises: Mentors/Support Staff

Company Overview

Youthworks is a 501(c)3 non-profit providing youth and family services throughout North Dakota since 1986. As a runaway and homeless youth program in the state of North Dakota, Youthworks provides support services to youth and their families helping to meet goals for strong, healthy relationships. Offices are located in Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks, Dickinson and Fargo with services extending to the surrounding counties. Youthworks focus and expertise is working with homeless, runaway, trafficked and struggling teens as well as parents and young adults 24 years of age and under. Our programs are founded on the principles of trauma-informed care, positive youth development, and a harm reduction approach to assist youth in reaching their potential and living a successful life. Our services include street outreach, transitional housing for young adults and young parents, anti-trafficking programs, basic center and youth shelters, cultural programming, out of school suspension, and juvenile diversion programs.

The youth and families served at Youthworks come from a variety of backgrounds, and we strive to be a safe community for all youth regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion class, educational background, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability status.

Job Summary

The Youth Housing Navigator serves youth in the Homeless Program by

providing case management to homeless youth (18 – 24), including assessment, case planning, discharge planning, and follow-up care. The Navigator works to ensure comprehensive services are available and coordinated on an individual basis with youth.

The Youth Housing Navigator supports youth by coordinating Rapid Rehousing services in eastern North Dakota and referring youth to other housing options across the state. They will be responsible for acting as the first point of contact when housing needs are identified. The Navigator also acts as liaison between community services and the youth, walking alongside the youth as they learn to advocate for themselves and live independently.

The Housing Navigator will work exclusively in Eastern ND and be housed in the Fargo Youthworks office. Homeless youth often experience years of unstable housing, mental health concerns, substance use, medical conditions, adverse childhood experience, lacking positive connections to the community, struggling with social and emotional well-being and have limited experience with living independently. The homeless programs takes a harm-reduction and housing-first approach as they use the principles of positive youth development, survivor-informed, and trauma-aware care to help young people find ways to successfully establish stability, secure permanent connections, have social and emotional well-being, and obtain employment and educational achievement.

Qualifications

The Housing Navigator position prefers a bachelor’s degree in social work, human service, or related field, and two years related experience. Individuals are preferred to have current professional licensure (LBSW, LPC, or other).

Job Duties

The job duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional duties may be assigned.

The Housing Navigator position will be responsible for performing the general work duties listed:

Outreach

· Conduct outreach to the community, including community presentations regarding youth homelessness.

· Engage in community outreach activities and provide educational presentations.

· Attend community meetings regarding homeless issues, collaborating closely with Law Enforcement, shelters, and other partners.

· Conduct yearly Point-In-Time Survey.

Safe and Stable Housing

· Create and implement Independent Living Service Plans.

· Facilitate safe exits from the Transitional Housing Program.

Positive Social/Emotional Well-Being

· Complete assessments addressing comprehensive needs and goals of youth.

· Provide individual counseling.

· Provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution.

· Coordinate preventative and ongoing health, sexual health, mental health, and substance use services.

· Conduct assessments with youth to determine barriers, resource needs and other factors related to case planning, acting as a broker for services and referring them to community resources when necessary, by providing a warm hand off.

Permanent Connections

· Provide family mediation.

· Provide connections to mentors.

· Provide connections to the community.

Educational Advancement

· Coordinate with McKinney-Vento at local schools.

· Provide career and educational planning.

Life Skills

· Provide Health/Wellness education including healthcare options.

· Provide money management training.

· Provide life skills training.

· Maintain consistent apartment supervision.

· Conduct a move in and move out inspection for all residents and ensure that the apartment is clean prior to a new resident moving in.

Employment

· Guide youth in creating resumes.

· Provide job readiness support, job development, referral and job coaching.

Establish Sustainable Housing

· Coordinate service linkages through the Housing Prioritization Tool (HPT)

· Coordinate service linkages with other community or government services.

· Create and implement individualized aftercare plans.

Gateway Services

· Provide transportation.

· Implement a process to help residents build up savings.

· Coordinate to make sure all youth have their food and basic needs met.

Documentation

· Accurately document all services including assessments, case notes, specific services received by client into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) on a weekly basis.

· Collect and maintain accurate data on a weekly basis.

· Document relevant and significant events that occur through incident reports.

· Maintain clear and effective communication with other staff regarding clients.

· Maintain client confidentiality.

· Complete thorough intakes in a manner that begins to establish comfort and a trusting relationship.

Professional Development

· Attend professional trainings/ continuing education units (CEUs).

· Educate and train volunteers and community partners in all aspects of working with youth who have experienced human trafficking and are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

· Provide supervision to mentors and support staff.

· Obtain weekly supervision from Program Manager.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday 8:30am-5pm. This position requires some weekends and/or evenings. This position may also be on rotation for a 24-hour crisis line.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $40,000, with the opportunity for higher compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, 401k, vacation leave, sick leave, paid holidays, and half days on Fridays in the summer.

To Apply

Please submit cover letter, resume, application, and the names and telephone numbers of three professional and/or academic references to:

Youthworks

ATTN: Matthew Benson-Tuff, Program Manager

mbensontuff@youthworksnd.org

All attachments should be in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Portal Documents Format (.pdf).

This position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified. Applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview. This job announcement is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

Youthworks is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of applicants.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• On call

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• related: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Social Work License (Preferred)
• professional counselor license (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000