BAYC
(A division of Sunny Hills Services)

Job Description

Position Title: Youth Development Specialist
Reports to: Transitional Housing Services Director
Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt status.
Schedule: SATURDAY – WEDNESDAY
Location: Hayward, CA

Agency Philosophy:
At Sunny Hills Services, we seek to improve the welfare of children and youth by helping to provide the resources, support and skills they need to develop along a healthy, age-appropriate pathway. All of our services are rooted in these core principles: 1) a strength-based approach which believes in the value and worth of each client as an individual, 2) acknowledging the importance of family relationships and encouraging positive and on-going engagement with families, peers and communities, 3) engaging children and youth in a developmentally appropriate manner that promotes resilience, self-efficacy and positive self-concept, 4) recognizing that clients’ needs are best met through holistic and individualized service delivery.

BAYC Service Philosophy
BAYC partners with vulnerable youth, empowering them to successfully transition to living independently as the most self-reliant, confident adults they can be. At the heart of our work is recognizing individuals in their individuality, and using our human relationships to help them to create a living roadmap towards knowing themselves. Our youth development approach enlists youth as stakeholders in designing goals that are meaningful and aligned with the youth’s own individual skills, dreams and competencies. We provide mentoring, guidance and course corrections in an environment in which it is safe to make mistakes as an inherent part of learning and practicing life skills. A key methodology is promoting awareness of choice. We work to expand youth understanding of how their own choices serve or do not serve them in achieving their stated goals.

Job Summary
The Youth Development Specialist provides mental health and case management services to transition age foster youth participating in BAYC’s Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP). The THPP provides structured, supportive independent living for qualified youth aged 16-19 some of whom have a child or are 6-9 months pregnant, and/or are have higher needs. The goal of the program is to provide a safe environment so that youth may practice the skills necessary to be self-sufficient. Youth live independently in apartments with a roommate and regular assistance provided by a support team. The Youth Development Specialist will work in partnership with THPP Youth Development Clinician, carrying a joint caseload of 6-10 youth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Use a strengths-based approach to assist in developing, implementing and evaluating individualized treatment plans.
2. Write clinical progress notes documenting the delivery of mental health services.
3. Partner with youth in improving independent living skills (cooking, budgeting, shopping, cleaning, hygiene, laundry, maintenance, etc.)
4. Provide educational tutoring as needed.
5. Partner with youth in identifying and accessing post emancipation housing options.
6. Partner with youth in identifying and pursuing educational goals.
7. Partner with youth in identifying and pursuing vocational goals.
8. Assist and monitor youth in addressing health care needs.
9. Partner with youth in creating safe and healthy living conditions and managing time and balancing life responsibilities
10. Partner with youth in maintaining relationships with permanent support people and identifying opportunities to strengthen these relationships.
11. Provide transportation for youth as necessary.
12. Complete monthly stipend requests and complete monthly budget with youth.
13. Serve as liaison between RAFA and ILSP and attend ILSP classes to recruit new youth and provide information about RAFA.
14. Assist youth in completing the Ansell-Casey Assessment.
15. Complete weekly apartment cleanliness checks.
16. Plan and facilitate monthly Life Skills group.
17. Provide support and monitor youth during times of crisis.
18. Identify and establish relationships with youth-friendly community resources.
19. Serve as liaison between RAFA and BAYC group home program.
20. Partner with youth in child-proofing apartment when necessary
21. Role model appropriate parenting skills when necessary
22. Partner with parenting youth in accessing resources for their child, including but not limited to childcare, health care, etc.
23. Partner with parenting and pregnant youth in accessing resources to help them to become a successful parent, including but not limited to Mommy and Me classes, parenting classes, child development classes, etc.
24. Oversee apartment move-in and move-out protocols including the completion of emancipation questionnaires.
25. Responsible for overall apartment cleanliness and submitting maintenance requests when needed.
26. Complete monthly reports for tracking and statistical purposes.
27. Responsible for preparing apartments for new youth to move in which may include but is not limited to, packing youth’s belongings, cleaning, organizing, etc.

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Knowledge of the foster care system
2. Knowledge of the obstacles current and former foster youth face
3. Understanding of youth development/youth-adult partnership frameworks
4. Knowledge of Child Development
5. Knowledge of the cycle of Domestic Violence
6. Knowledge of Parenting skills and bonding techniques
7. Knowledge of the effects of Substance Abuse a harm reduction framework
8. Knowledge of youth-friendly community resources and public welfare system
9. Excellent communication skills
10. Strong leadership skills
11. Ability to manage time effectively
12. Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
13. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with youth and families, as well as other permanent support people and professionals
14. Strong written and verbal skills
15. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word and Excel
16. Commitment to working in a diverse workplace, and self-awareness regarding issues of race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/spirituality and disability.
17. Passion for working with a diverse group of Transition Age Youth (TAY) including youth of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities.
18. Enthusiastic and strengths-based approach to partnering with youth and collaborating with peers.
19. Commitment to effectiveness, prioritizing efficiency and follow-through.
20. 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
21. Ability to view families, both biological and chosen, as resources and support systems for youth, and commitment to involve families in services

Qualifications:
• BA in Social Science field
• Experience working with adolescents, preferably current and/or former foster youth
• California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprint clearance
• Valid driver’s license, dependable car and proof of insurance
• Insurable by SHS/BAYC’s automobile policy.

COMPENSATION:
This is a benefited position and the salary range is 33K to 36K per year, depending on education and experience.

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources Department
Sunny Hills Services
300 Sunny Hills Drive
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Email: jobs@sunnyhillsservices.org

“We are committed to maintaining a culturally inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage LGBTQ, people of color, and others with diverse personal experience to apply. Sunny Hills Services/BAYC is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, Vietnam era or other veteran status.”

• Compensation: This is a benefited position and the salary range is 33K to 36K per year, depend
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.