Youth Engagement Specialist

Description

CARES Youth Homelessness System Improvement grant (YHSI) Youth Engagement Specialist will support six upstate NY geographic communities in improving the existing response system for youth homelessness and establishing and implementing new youth homelessness response systems. The federally awarded grant will focus on systemic change by building capacity for Youth Action Boards; collecting and using data on at-risk youth and youth experiencing homelessness; developing strong leaders within a community; and improving the coordination, communication, operation, and administration of homeless assistance projects to better serve youth, including prevention and diversion strategies.  CARES awarded grant is designed to make and improve connections, coordination, and information sharing within and between systems that serve at-risk youth, including education, child welfare, and juvenile justice.

The YHSI Youth Engagement Specialist position provides effective leadership to advise and collaborate with youth provider leaders on system-level change to improve coordinated entry outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness. 

Disclosure: This position is part of the Youth Homelessness System Improvement grant that we have been awarded. Although we would love to make this a permanent position, the grant only allows us the funding for 23 months, which is what the tenure of this position will be. This grant will end in March 2027.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the development and implementation of a youth specific coordinated entry data quality and performance plan per affiliated Continuum of Care. 
• At the direction of the Associate Director of Coordinated Entry, the Director of Special Initiatives and the Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant (YHSI) Program Coordinator, collaboratively support learning opportunities to strengthen knowledge of best coordinated entry practices for both internal and external stakeholders. 
• Facilitate meetings and workshops with community partners to discuss coordinated entry processes and improvements.
• Build and maintain relationships with local government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations involved in youth homelessness.
• Work collaboratively with the Youth Action Board Coordinator with the development and recruitment of Regional Youth Action Board Members. 
• Work with youth-based providers in 6 CoC’s on hosting up to 2 focus groups monthly with youth with lived experience.
• Create educational and promotional materials and resources to support ongoing focus groups learning and development.
• Adapt to changing work priorities and a fast-paced environment while maintaining a professional attitude.
• Maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with people both internally and externally as it relates to the operations and business of affiliated CoCs.
• Work independently and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Perform other duties as required.

EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years minimum working in non-profit, community-based and/or advocacy organization.

EDUCATION 

• Associate degree preferred.
• Two years’ relevant experience may be substituted for degree.

Additional Education or Certification: A degree in one or more of the following is preferred: Psychology, Social Work, or Human Services.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

• Working knowledge of: Microsoft Office Suite including MS Word and Excel.
• Creativity and demonstrated problem solving ability. 
• A passion to work with communities to prevent and end homelessness.
• Excellent verbal and communication and rapport-building skills. 
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Work independently.

TRAVEL

• Weekly travel is necessary.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Access to reliable transportation required.

LOCATION

5 Pine West, Albany home office; virtually three days a week. Subject to change at any time. 

WORK WEEK

Full-time role, 40 hours per week. Monday through Friday with hours flexible between 7:30am-6:00p