Intake/Basic Center Specialist

Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Boston, MA

WHO WE ARE

For over 50 years, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has provided a comprehensive continuum of care for runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston, and has been a national model in providing innovative youth services. Our mission is to transform the lives of youth through safe, supportive and encouraging relationships, counseling, housing, and skill-building, to guide them towards self-sufficiency and achieving their goals.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the supervision of the Director of Clinical Services, the Intake/ Basic Center Specialist is responsible for completing intakes and providing crisis intervention to youth and young adults in the Intake, Basic Center and Safe Place areas. Duties include conducting initial needs and risk assessments and executing community outreach (including facilitating presentations) to raise awareness of Bridge’s youth services. This position requires a high degree of flexibility in responding to emergent needs of youth and young adults in crisis, strong engagement and communication skills, and quality organization and documentation skills.

RESPONSIBILTIES

Perform detailed and thorough Intake assessments for youth and young adults (ages 14- 24).Assess youth for risk and provide interventions as needed.Engage and build rapport with youth and young adults. Collaborate with internal Bridge partners and external service providers, including collateral contacts of the clients (i.e., family, education systems, youth agencies) for assessment and exit planning.Utilize Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to engage youth around problematic behavior. Participate in weekly supervision, consultation, and team meetings.Complete and submit all documentation timely. Build and maintain partnerships with the Safe Place sites.Serve as a Bridge liaison/advocate responsible for building and maintaining community connections to raise awareness about BCP and Safe Place through presentations, phone calls, and correspondence.Ensure that all activities, services and programs through Bridge are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to and shows respect for the cultural and ethnic diversity for all Bridge clients

Please Note: This job description is not intended to describe in detail the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to give the Specialist a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of the business demands change, so too may the essential functions of the position. The candidate who accepts this role is expected to be flexible to meet the changing demands.

QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS Degree in psychology, social work, or related fields. Master’s Degree preferred. One to two years plus of experience working with vulnerable young people and/or their families. (Clinical experience preferred). Ability to relate in an empathetic, supportive, non-judgmental manner to young people and their families.Knowledge and experience of crisis intervention, child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Strong engagement and therapeutic relationship-building skills.Experience networking and collaborating with service providers and advocating for youth.Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and cultural groups.Valid driver’s license required and clean driving record. No personal car is required.

SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

PAY AND BENEFITS

The annual salary for this position to 60 to 65k. Benefits include:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, work at a computer, stand and walk, and must be able to lift /move weight up to 25 pounds. The employee also must be able to hear and speak sufficiently to manage phone calls and effectively communicate/converse with others. The employee must have visual acuity and cognitive capacity to read, understand, and draft reports, letters, etc. The noise level is quiet to moderate, however, the employee must be able to perform in various settings, including in public spaces and at public events/activities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status.