Title: Program Specialist, Transitional Living Program (part-time)
Reports to: Program Manager, Transitional Living Program
Classification: Non-exempt, Hourly (eligible for overtime at time-and-a-half
Hours: Part-Time
Hiring Range: $16-20/hour, depending on education and experience
Work Week: Monday 12:00 AM to Sunday 11:59 PM (AGENCY WORK WEEK FOR PAYROLL)
Required to Transport Clients: Yes
Required to Drive in the Course of Conducting Business: Yes
Meets Policy Requirements for Company Cell Phone/Phone Stipend: No
BACKGROUND
Background Since 1975, Pendleton Place (PP) has been a place of safety and comfort for children, youth, and families affected by foster care, homelessness, poverty, and trauma. PP is committed to innovative approaches that will ensure children & youth are safe, families are whole, and communities are strong. The Pendleton Place community youth programs offer safe, inclusive, and nonjudgmental spaces to youth who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our day and SOAR 864 programs provide street and general outreach, as well as a safe and comforting drop-in center to meet the basic needs (i.e., showers, laundry, food, etc.) of youth who are living on the streets, couch-surfing, or are otherwise living without a permanent address. Our housing programs provide pathways to independent housing through our HUD Youth Transitions and our FYSB Transitional Living Program (TLP). Our TLP provides up to 18 months of intensive support and two tiers of housing based on individual participant needs. Services provided by the Pendleton Place Community Youth Services (CYS) include drop-in hours, youth case coordination supportive housing services, and street outreach. Pendleton Place is an authorized Thrive Hub location and CYS staff can assist participants in applying for state and federal assistance, increasing their access to various benefits and services that will improve their overall health and stability. The CYS works extensively with youth who have experienced trauma, often in the form of childhood maltreatment, system involvement, housing instability, and/or trafficking. The CYS also collaborates closely with Pendleton Place's Residential Services, particularly the Emergency Youth Shelter and the Safe Place program.
Position Summary
The Program Specialist, TLP (PSTLP) is responsible for assisting TLP participants achieve stability, independence, and success. The PSTLP creates an environment where the needs and concerns of diverse populations are appreciated by promoting an environment that is conducive to life skills development. The PSTLP will offer brief counseling and assist participants with academic and employment obligations through guidance and transportation, support their personal and social concerns, make timely referrals to internal staff (Case Manager) or external organizations, help mediate roommate conflicts, and respond to crisis situations. The PSTLP will also notify Pendleton Place management and leadership teams of maintenance issues and safety concerns. The PSTLP will produce excellent documentation and attend regular staffing with TLP leaders. In support of TLP resident independence goals, the PSTLP will help each resident meet and maintain goals for physical health, mental health, education, socialization, and independent living as developed with the TLP CM. The PSTLP will use trauma-informed, positive youth development practices while maintaining professional boundaries.
Essential Functions of Position
1. Provide guidance, support, and brief counseling to TLP participants, including but not necessarily limited to helping with homework, job applications, and other independence-focused activities.
2. Coordinate with Interim Program Manager, TLP, as-needed to co-create solutions and actions steps. This may include general cleanliness, laundry, bathroom upkeep, cooking, conflict resolution, and other regular activities.
3. Assist TLP participants with daily activities as needed to ascertain skills levels related to independent functions, including maintaining cleanliness of environment.
4. Coordinate with TLP staff to manage any crises or disputes which may arise among TLP participants, employing mediation and motivational interviewing techniques as necessary.
5. Use creative recreation activities to enhance participants' comprehension of skill-building lessons (i.e., use Monopoly to teach about financial management).
6. Coordinate scheduling for IL skills sessions weekly for Tier 1 and Tier 2 TLP participants and coordinate external experts to deliver programming as necessary.
7. Provide referrals, assist in transport as needed.
8. Work with TLP leaders to coordinate communities of care, in accordance with Council on Accreditation (COA) standards, that build skills and offer supports that lead to self-sufficient, healthy, productive, and stable adult lives.
9. Actively support youth using PYD framework and trauma-informed care by utilizing youth feedback and providing opportunities for youth to: have voice in identifying and building out their own programming, co-lead events, identify areas of interest for future programming, and expand their social networks.
10. Regularly participate in case staffing and planning in collaboration with the TLP staff.
11. Support the coordination of the CYS community partner/volunteer calendars.
12. Provide direct assistance to participants as they navigate challenges.
13. Work proficiently with diverse populations and accommodate special needs, as appropriate, to ensure effective service are provided.
14. Demonstrate problem solving, critical thinking, and time management skills.
15. Work independently and effectively with direct manager and other program leaders.
16. Ensure all participants understand their rights and maintain the highest protections for participant privacy and confidentiality.
17. Adhere to a commitment to high-quality case documentation, all recorded electronically in the Homeless Management Information System database, or HMIS, as well as extendedReach for shift reports.
18. Other duties, as needed and required to ensure quality youth outcomes.
Required Qualifications
1. Minimum of an earned 4-year degree from an accredited college or university preferably in social work, counseling, public health, rehabilitative counseling, psychology, sociology, child advocacy, poverty studies, or child and family studies.
2. At least one (1+) year of relevant work experience working directly with youth (17-21).
3. Satisfactory criminal history and background check determination (Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry, criminal background check, Sex Offender Registry, Motor Vehicle History, fingerprinting, etc.).
4. Ability to comfortably and effectively engage with diverse youth and young adults.
5. Ability to maintain calmness in crises.
6. Ability to serve as a role model for all participants.
7. Will have or will obtain CPR/First Aid certifications within six months of employment and maintain certification as required under local/state regulations.
8. Possess a valid South Carolina's Driver's License.
9. Physical ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, bend and stoop to perform essential duties.
10. Ability to be outdoors in cold and/or heat for active participation for recreational engagement with the youth.
11. Ability to understand, enjoy, and be comfortable engaging with youth.
12. Ability to serve as a role model for all participants.
13. Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with team members.
Desirable Qualifications
1. Ability to use organizational skills that enable the performance of duties in a timely fashion with attention to detail. 2. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
3. Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing
4. Flexibility and Resiliency: the ability to quickly and decisively adapt to changing situations and continue to progress toward Agency's goals and priorities
5. Ability to effectively employ problem solving and critical thinking skills
6. Exercise good customer service techniques, effective communication, and problem solving skills using follow-up techniques
7. Knowledge of case management and counseling techniques
8. Ability to operate a computer in regards to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, along with agency database system(s) for file documentation and monitoring outcomes
9. Ability to work flexible hours daily and weekly to fulfill position duties.