Housing Support Specialist, Awake Overnight (Lighthouse) in SANTA ANA, California at Orangewood Foundation

Our Mission:

Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services:

We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

Position Title: Housing Support Specialist, Awake Overnight, Lighthouse

Employment Classification: Full-Time; Hourly, Non-Exempt

Scheduled Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8pm – 4:30am

Reports to: Overnight Housing Supervisor

Department: Housing

Program Summary:

Our housing continuum spans across multiple programs targeting various Transitional Age Youth (TAY) populations, offering tailored support to meet their unique needs and experiences. Through our multi-site Housing Program, we serve young adults ages 18-25 for up to 24 months. This program provides safety and shelter while promoting the self-determination of youth experiencing homelessness - including those who are unstably or unsafely housed - by honoring their identities, lived experiences, and system involvement. Integrated within this continuum, are specialized housing programs focused on TAY marginalized groups such as single parents, survivors of trafficking, LGBTQ+, ESA owners, and Young Adult Court Program participants with SUD needs.

This position would be primarily working with survivors of human trafficking who are Transitional Age Youth.

Position Summary:

The Overnight Housing Support Specialist is responsible for providing overnight supervision and support in a bridge home with up to ten residents. This role plays a key part in maintaining a safe, stable, and supportive environment by responding to resident needs and crises as they arise, while consistently upholding and enforcing house guidelines. The position also includes cross site training, support and coverage.

When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Maintain a safe, orderly, and healing centered environment throughout the night.
• Conduct and document routine wellness checks, when appropriate, to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
• Perform nightly household tasks to uphold hygiene and cleanliness in shared living spaces.
• Provide evening support to residents, including assistance with routines, meal preparation, and daily living skills.
• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based guidance to help residents adapt to the home and adhere to program expectations.
• Support residents in progressing toward recovery goals established in collaboration with their Care Coordinator.
• Use calm, clear communication and de-escalation techniques in crisis situations; mediate interpersonal issues among residents when needed.
• Collaborate with the Housing Coordinator and Program Supervisor to understand residents' individual needs, histories, and goals.
• Accurately complete daily progress notes, special incident reports, and log updates to track resident activity and significant events.
• Uphold all program policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and accountability within the home.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a High School diploma, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years in the field of Human Services, Psychology, Social Work or a related field.
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience working with youth, preferably transition-age youth (TAY), in a residential, recovery, behavioral health, or supportive housing setting.
• Previous experience with CSEC (commercially sexually exploited children) is highly preferred
• Experience working sensitively with individuals impacted by violence, using trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing techniques.
• Comfortability in collaborating with survivors, as well as discussing power differentials and their influence on relationships.
• Previous experience in applying harm reduction framework and stages of change model to elicit behavior change.
• Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to support young adults in their recovery and personal development.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound and timely decisions under pressure, particularly when managing youth crises.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate ethical decision-making in all aspects of the role.
• Ability to think critically and strategically, identifying opportunities and challenges and developing solutions to support youth success.

Essential Qualities:

• Understand and passionately support Orangewood Foundation’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Able to demonstrate a high level of skill with the following qualities

1. Resourceful

2. Dependable

3. Initiative

4. Accountable

5. Solution Oriented

6. Self-directed

7. Adaptable

8. Open to feedback

9. Sound judgement

10. Calm under pressure

• Demonstrate strong communication and teamwork skills, adhering to the Foundation's operating principles and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Ensure a welcoming environment that supports and respects all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Approach projects, activities, and job functions with flexibility and a positive attitude, displaying the essential attitudes required for success in this role.Model professionalism, setting a high standard for staff and program participants.
• Effectively manage multiple responsibilities and maintain organization.

Working Conditions and Requirements:

• Position will require use of personal vehicle.
• Primary work environment is multiple housing sites, including single family homes and apartments, where participants live.
• Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting up to approximately 25 lbs. (i.e. tables, chairs, food, water, etc.).
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about