Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Youth Center serves youth up to the age of 24 who are currently at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Youth Center offers services in an LGBTQ safe and affirming environment and serves as an entry point to assist youth making the transition from homelessness to housing. Our services include meals, clothing, support groups, a charter high school, GED and college prep program, an employment preparation, training and placement program, street outreach, case management, counseling, a crisis shelter, a transitional living program (TLP) and supportive apartments. Our community-based programs include services for youth at-home, in school or in systems of care.

JOB SUMMARY The Youth Care Specialist collaborates with the drop-in and access center staff. They actively engage with members facing a housing crisis, initiating conversations about alternative housing options to prevent the necessity of homeless services. This involves offering financial support to divert members from accessing homeless services. Furthermore, the specialist ensures the quick connection of members who cannot be diverted to available emergency or crisis housing services, prioritizing their immediate health and safety needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide a welcoming presence onsite for members to engage with by answering questions, providing information and facilitating engagement opportunities.

• Provide a comprehensive continuum of homelessness prevention services, including street outreach, employment preparation and placement assistance, individualized case management, education, housing location and retention, and other supportive services.

• Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure member and resident safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation along a spectrum of intervention techniques.

• Provide direct supervision and assistance with basic needs (meals, clothing, hygiene) and day to day program operations.

• Conduct intake, CES assessment, and individualized needs assessments and collaborate with youth to develop a services and housing stability plan that addresses barriers to obtaining services, housing and healthcare.

• As the primary Point of Contact work in collaboration with a team of service providers in an effort to obtain, stabilize and maintain housing.

• Implement a philosophy-of-care, including housing-first, harm-reduction and trauma-informed care principles.

• Collaborate with other LA LGBT Center departments and outside organizations agencies on youth events, resources and youth development opportunities.

• Plan and facilitate programming, events and activities utilizing a Positive Youth development framework that develops a sense of competence, usefulness, power and belonging among at-risk youth, youth experiencing homelessness, at-home/at-school youth and youth who see themselves as the leaders of the future.

• Conduct outreach and engagement.

• Complete general operational and administrative work such as compiling data, statistics, preparing reports, and drafting correspondence.

• Organize and maintain program files and materials through data entry and database maintenance.

• Assist with special projects as directed by management staff.

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people.

• A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting LGBTQ youth, including experience working with high risk youth (specific work with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or runaway youth a plus).

• Minimum 3 years of experience in related field, specifically working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness or Bachelor’s Degree (Social Work, Social Services, Public Health or related field).

• Experience with substance abuse/mental health case management and crisis intervention.

• Be able and willing to work flexible hours which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles.

• Ability to work with a high acuity population and able to de-escalate threatening/volatile situations with clients.

• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with uncooperative clients.

• Ability to apply principles of professional boundaries and ethics to on the job situations.

• Ability to build rapport and trust with youth and demonstrate active (reflective listening).

• Ability to engage youth in activities and facilitate workshops.

• Bilingual skills, a plus (English/Spanish fluency preferred, American Sign Language fluency, a plus).

• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured.

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, religion, disability, age, military or veteran status, including status as a victim of domestic violence, assault or stalking, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation or activities, medical or health conditions, and marital status.

The Center has implemented a policy requiring all staff to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, subject to applicable federal, state and local laws. For more information, please contact jobs@lalgbtcenter.org