Resource Center Specialist in Yakima, Washington at Rod s House

In every job at Rod’s House, our mission and vision are embedded deeply into the responsibilities. A job at Rod’s House is about more than completing tasks; rather, it is about prioritizing building positive and lasting relationships with the young people who are victims of crime, other staff, volunteers, and our community.

Our Mission: Rod's House builds authentic connections with young people, encourages them in feeling respected and secure in who they are, empowers them to reach their full potential, and positively connects them to the community.

Our Vision: Rod's House envisions an END to youth homelessness in the Yakima Valley. To break the cycle of homelessness we engage volunteers, donors, and the community to ensure young people's basic human needs are met and that they have a safe, stable home; permanent, positive connections; meaningful education and employment opportunities; behavioral and physical health care; and supports that reinforce their individual abilities.

Position Information

Title: Resource Center Specialist

FLSA Status: Hourly, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Location: Resource Center

Reports to: Resource Center Program Manager

Overview (what unique role does this position play within Rod’s House?)

The Resource Center Specialist is an integral part of the work that we do on a daily basis at the Resource Center. The Resource Center Specialist helps support a wide-spectrum of needs for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. The Resource Center Specialist needs to be passionate about working with young people, model positive behavior each day, flexible in an often rapidly changing environment, and client-focused in all interactions with young people. The Resource Center Specialist is a team player and also a leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organization of Services

• Plan and implement the layout of the clothing room and keep track of minimum on-hand requirements;

• Recruit and schedule community meal partners;

• Meal prep prior to opening on days that meal partners aren’t scheduled;

• Assist young people in completing intakes;

• Stock outdoor pantry on a daily basis;

• Support Resource Center Program Manager with other duties, as assigned.

Window Services

• Greet young people at the window;

• Hand out hygiene, clothing, food, and other supports as requested.

Entry and Exit Screening

• Identify individuals before entrance into the Resource Center;

• Conduct COVID-19 screenings and temperature checks on all people entering the Resource Center;

• Perform weapon checks on all people entering the Resource Center;

• Interact with donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders that positively represents Rod’s House;

• Communicate to young people the importance of accurately utilizing check-in/check-out system;

• Ensure the front door of the Resource Center is locked upon entry or exit.

Drop-In Services

• Serve as a consistent presence in drop-in space during open hours;

• Prep and serve meals to young people;

• Ensure young people are adhering to guidelines for the Resource Center;

• Help young people access permission-based services such as case management, behavioral health, showers, and laundry;

• Perform general housekeeping duties for downstairs and upstairs public spaces including, but not limited to, cleaning, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, organizing.

General

• Build authentic relationships with young people accessing the Resource Center;

• Provide general assistance and support as directed;

• Give tours to stakeholders, as needed;

• Maintain a positive, non-judgmental, trauma-informed approach;

• Actively seek opportunities to be inclusive and equitable.

Complete all duties as assigned and other duties as required.

Required or Preferred Education and/or Experience

• At least 1 year of experience working directly with youth (ages 13-17) and young adults (ages 18-24), particularly youth and young adults experiencing homelessness (required);

• High school diploma or equivalent (required) / Bachelor’s degree (preferred);

• An understanding of and adherence to a strengths-based philosophy with youth and young adults (required);

• Dedication to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace through competency in equity, race, social justice, differently-abled, and LGBTQIA2S+ identities (required);

• Bilingual (Spanish-English) (strongly preferred);

• Experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, specifically severe mental illnesses and substance use disorders (preferred);

• Knowledge in human services, social work, education, or a related field (preferred);

• Lived experience relevant to the population served (preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be at least 21 years of age (required);

• Pass a Washington State criminal background check (required);

• Pass a Federal (FBI) criminal background check (required);

• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance (required);

• Possess skills and ability to work successfully with the unique needs of children in care;

• Effective communication and problem solving skills;

• Ability to work with young people in crisis;

• Can employ professionalism and patience in high stress environments;

• Understanding the importance of flexibility in a job;

• Proven ability to create a system or process when one does not exist;

• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships;

• Creative problem solver;

• Willingness to learn and teach new things;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details;

• Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively in a team environment;

• Proficient in using technology;

• Contributes to a positive organizational culture;

• Ability to maintain confidentiality;

• Demonstrate commitment to supporting equity and inclusion;

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for the Rod’s House mission.

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Shifts could include evening, early mornings, or weekends, including holidays. This position requires interactions with young people experiencing homelessness and with community members, social service providers, and other organizations.. Physical requirements for the position include frequent walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, climbing, and repetitive motions. This position could require exerting up to 50 pounds of force to lift, carry, pull, or move objects. Ability to safely drive company cars and vans are strongly preferred.

Rod’s House will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to Rod’s House.

Salary/Compensation and Benefits

• Starting hourly wage of $17.30;

• 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday;

• Within 30 days, employer pays medical (90%), dental (90%), and vision (90%) insurance;

• Eligible to receive up to a 5% raise based on annual performance review;

• 25 days of paid time off granted immediately, increasing by 5 days every 2 years;

• 2 hours of paid sick leave accrued for every 40 hours worked, with up to 80 hours eligible for annual rollover;

• Company-issued cell phone and computer;

• FREE CPR/First Aid Certification;

• FREE CPI (non-violent crisis intervention) Certification;

• FREE WA State Food Handler Permit;

• Ongoing program specific training and professional development training;

• Opportunity for career growth and professional development;

• Work/Life Balance: We are dedicated to being flexible for family and self-care.

Rod’s House is all about building authentic connections. We are committed to equity and inclusion and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people with lived experience of homelessness and those who identify as LGBTQ+ and people of color to apply. 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.