Youth Support Partner in San Diego, California at SAN DIEGO YOUTH SERVICES

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Youth Support Partner in The Achievement Center program to be based in San Diego. This is a part-time & non-exempt position reporting to the Program Manager. This position is temporary with the possibility of becoming permanent with the expected time frame of 12/31/2026.

San Diego Youth Services: Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 834,000 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 16,000 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.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION:

Accountable to the Program Manager to provide comprehensive trauma-informed services as part of the Achievement Center. Responsible for the day-to-day activities of the youth at the Achievement Center including ensuring that the facility is safe and accessible, and that the overall milieu is supportive, affirming, and youth driven to ensure that standards relating to inclusivity and

safety are maintained.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Establish rapport with youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Link youth with resources that are appropriate to their individualized needs.
• Stay current on best practices for Support Partners and the Positive Youth Development Model. Serve as a role model for youth in the juvenile justice system.
• Complete needs assessments as appropriate and provide crisis intervention, recreational opportunities, and support services to youth.
• Supervise youth in the milieu while at the center and/or on outings, maintaining required staffing.
• Promote greater youth participation in policy, program, and service delivery at the Achievement Center.
• Assist Case Manager(s) in coordination and facilitation of trauma-informed, strength-based prevention and intervention groups on a variety of topics.
• Coordinate and facilitate evening meals and arrange for food if any delay in food delivery on any given night. Assist youth during snacks and mealtimes with food choices and preparation when needed.
• Maintain a positive atmosphere by ensuring that standards relating to inclusiveness and safety are maintained.
• Provide first aid in minor emergencies. Assist in securing medical services for serious problems.
• With other staff, participate in the maintenance of the day-to-day cleanliness, safety, and order of the physical facility, grounds, and vehicle.
• Maintain warm and welcoming environment.
• Ensure that confidentiality and privacy standards meet applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Welcome and support volunteers in the organization and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Other related duties as assigned.

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 with 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.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Must have at least three years’ experience working directly with juvenile justice-involved youth and at-risk youth, preferred lived experience as a consumer or caregiver of a consumer of children’s mental health services, the juvenile justice system, or Special Education.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and have a High School diploma, GED, or equivalent. Must be willing to develop or possess working knowledge of trauma-informed care and how to support dual diagnosis treatment.
• Strong professional oral and written communication skills. Ability to work with minimum supervision and frequent interruptions, while always maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Able to work with a multi-disciplinary team in a very diverse setting that serves people of all backgrounds, cultures, and sexual orientations.
• Must be computer literate.
• Availability to work evenings Monday through Friday.
• Must maintain CPR/First-Aid Certificate, have valid CA driver’s license and reliable vehicle and relevant auto insurance, plus a clean driving record (mileage reimbursed).
• Must successfully complete & maintain background check, drug test, and TB test, CPR, and First Aid Certification.

Hourly Pay Range: $20 - $22

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.