LGBTQIA+ Youth Intern

Description

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Since our founding in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage – and through subsequent years as Sunny Hills Services – Side by Side has been at the forefront of best practices in child welfare, working with the most vulnerable youth in our community. Today, Side by Side operates in four counties – Marin, Alameda, Sonoma, and Napa – across the Bay Area, reaching nearly 2,000 children, young adults, and family members per year with much-needed services related to behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA+ support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education. 

Side By Side places high value on individuals with a passion for helping underserved youth and families in a collaborative and inclusive work culture. We strive to work together to create a trauma-informed workplace where we walk the walk of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles.

COMPENSATION

This non-benefitted role is 10 hours per week with an hourly rate of pay of $21.00

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The LGBTQIA+ Prevention Early Intervention Program is a partnership between Our Space (community center for LGBTQIA+ youth) and Alameda County Behavioral Health. The prevention early intervention program provides a continuum of services towards the prevention of LGBTQIA+ youth falling into substance use, housing displacement and life destabilization. 

JOB SUMMARY

The Youth Intern is to provide direct support to the Our Space Program. Support services may include support during Our Space Community Events, Our Space Yearly Youth Events and supporting the Our Space Youth Committee. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide weekly support to the Our Space Team with Outreaching to youth organizations in Alameda County.
• Provide support with the creation and implementation of the Our Space Youth Committee.
• Provide support with Our Space Queer Love Youth Pride Planning.
• Provide support with Our Space Gender Affirming Event.
• Provide support to the Our Space Community Drop In Center Curriculum Development and Outreaching.
• Participate in Our Space special projects, events, and/or community center programming and staffing as needed (at discretion of supervisor).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and expectations required of the position.

AGENCY-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES

Code of Conduct. Understands and adheres to the Agency’s Code of Conduct, demonstrates a high level of integrity in all internal and external activities and complies with the Employee Handbook and all other Agency policies, practices and procedures.

Communication. Able to inform verbally and in writing, with clarity and good effect and to understand clearly and quickly when instructions or orders are received. Includes judgment about what information is important and what is not, and what should be communicated, how, to whom and when. 

Judgment. Able to make decisions in a timely fashion that are sound, accurate and supported by the reasoning and inclusion of appropriate people. Includes the ability to recognize, address and propose solutions to problems that arise. 

POSITION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Agency Service Principles

• Ability to administer a procedure that insures confidentiality of client records.

Team Building

• Ability to view yourself as a leader and pass on teachable skills and knowledge to others.
• Ability to hold yourself accountable for your work.
• Ability to give and receive feedback to others.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Enthusiastic and strengths-based approach to partnering with youth and collaborating with peers.
• Ability to develop mutually respectful relationships with community providers.

Action Oriented

• Commitment to effectiveness, prioritizing efficiency and follow-through.
• Strong problem-solving skills.

Leadership Qualities

• Ability to manage time effectively.
• Skilled in independent thinking and able to use judgment to make sound and appropriate decisions.
• Ability to serve as a role model for youth being served.
• Commitment to self-reflection and personal awareness as a means of being able to remain emotionally available and connected with youth, and function as an engaged team-member.
• Ability to advocate for positive social change in systems impacting LGBTQIA+ youth without alienating community partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to develop mutually respectful relationships with community providers in Alameda County. 
• Commitment to self-reflection and personal awareness as a means of being able to remain emotionally available and connected with the Our Space Team.

Managing Diversity

• Commitment to working in a diverse workplace, and self-awareness regarding issues of race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/spirituality and disability.
• Passion for working with a diverse group of youth including youth of color, LGBTQIA+ youth, and youth with disabilities. 
• Knowledge of risk and protective factors for LGBTQIA+ youth and systems-involved youth.
• Ability to view families, both biological and chosen, as resources and support systems for youth, and commitment to involve families in services.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Currently enrolled in High School or graduated High School
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Outlook, Calendar, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in utilizing Internet, email and web-based programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprint clearance as well as TB test clearance.
• A valid California Identification
• All minors under 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work
• Interns aged 16 – 17 can work only up to 4 hours per day on any school day and/or only up to 8 hours on any non-school day.
• Interns are not allowed to drive during work hours or for work.
• Please note that Covid-19 vaccine is mandated for all Side by Side staff except in cases of approved medical or religious accommodations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Walking, standing, twisting and bending for brief periods of time.
• Occasional reaching and/or grasping using hands and/or arms.
• Regular use of hands requiring dexterity in using the telephone, computer keyboard, mouse or calculator.
• Regularly required to talk and hear in person or by telephone.
• Visual ability to read documents and computer monitor.
• May be required to lift up to 30 pounds.
• May be required to ascend/descend stairs.
• Ability to drive.

We are committed to maintaining a culturally inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage LGBTQIA+ people, people of color, and others with diverse personal experience to apply.

Side by Side provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.