San Diego Youth Services seeks an Overnight Residential Counselor in the Storefront Youth Emergency Shelter program to be based in San Diego. This is a full-time & nonexempt position reporting to the Program Manager.

San Diego Youth Services: Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 840,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to:

1. Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
2. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.
3. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
4. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.

SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million.

You can learn more about us at www.sdyouthservices.org.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Youth Emergency Shelter provides short-term residential services for minors ages 12–17 and is the only program of its kind in San Diego. The shelter can serve up to 17 youth at a time. Stays are typically up to 21 days, with extensions available on a case-by-case basis for up to 90 days. Youth needs vary; about half exit within one week, while others require longer support and may return multiple times throughout the year.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

Supervise residential service partners in milieu. Provide crisis intervention, group facilitation and intake counseling and mediation. Maintain relief coverage.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintain shelter schedule, rules, and consequences.
2. Maintain program structure through supervision of residents. Ensure completion of chores by residents.
3. Conduct intakes, assist in development of life plans.
4. Teach and model skills through individuals and groups including youth leadership. Assist in teaching life skills, healthy coping skills, and standards of quality.
5. Maintain data collection and contact compliance of records as required. Communicate necessary information and events through utilization of communication logs or direct contact.
6. Maintain shelter cleanliness and safety.
7. Attend any mandatory trainings/meetings.
8. Maintain a working knowledge of MIS equipment.
9. Welcome and support volunteers in the organization and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
10. Maintain positive relationship with community and donors.
11. Have Weekday Availability for Overnight shifts.
12. Other Duties as required.

SDYS EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
• Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments.
• Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Able to work with homeless runaway youth in a shelter setting. Be available to cover shift in case of illness or vacations on short notice. Be available to stay overtime to complete crises intervention or necessary crises documentation. Experience working in a residential setting preferred. Bilingual Spanish-English speaking helpful. Able to work in a very diverse setting with people of all backgrounds, culture and orientation. Must be available to work a minimum of one shift per quarter in evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays. Must be able to obtain/maintain CPR and First Aid Certification. Hire subject to background check, TB test, and drug test.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Able to lift and carry 25 lbs. Able to be cleared to drive own vehicle & agency vehicle (if applicable) and have valid driver’s license.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Hourly Pay: $21

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website.

SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution. SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services.

As an organization working to meet the basic needs of youth, create positive connections, help youth develop life skills, and promote overall health and well-being, SDYS believes its practices and actions must reflect the highest level of commitment to access, equity, and social justice.

The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members invest in their work represents not only part of the SDYS’ culture, but the SDYS’ reputation and achievements as well. SDYS remains open to feedback from all communities it touches and knows that input from those with direct experience of issues will make the SDYS more effective in achieving its goals.

SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States.

SDYS is proud to be a kindness certified company.