Youth Empowerment Program Associate

JOB TITLE: Youth Empowerment Program Associate

REPORTS TO: Youth Empowerment Program Manager

SALARY RANGE: $19 - $21/hr DOE

STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hrs/wk, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement of use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes

SIGNING BONUS: $250

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of nearly 60 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Youth Empowerment Program Associate will be responsible for overseeing and supporting our Youth Empowerment, Development, and Advocacy team using a healing-centered engagement and positive youth development approach.

This position will ensure programming and activities engage TAY into civic education, LGBTQ programming, peer-led programming, and leadership development. The empowerment associate will also support in the implementation and planning of the Annual Leadership Summit to equip youth and providers with tools and skills in advocacy, youth engagement, and leadership with a focus to increase knowledge of barriers for system-involved youth ages 12-26.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

50% Coordinate an Annual Summit

• Facilitate and recruit a youth planning committee that utilizes a community driven and healing centered engagement approach
• Work with LA county system-involved youth to identify workshops, activities and entertainment through monthly planning meetings
• Work with staff and stakeholders to ensure the summit is youth driven
• On the day of provide operational support of the conference to ensure implementation of the agenda and activities
• Facilitate and communicate agendas, processes and implementation of summit with staff, volunteers and partners

40% Program Implementation

• Facilitate leadership development and advocacy activities and workshops with Youth Development, Advocacy and Empowerment team
• Facilitate a peer-led health curriculum program to increase youth’s tools, knowledge and competencies around mental health and substance use.

10% Administration

• Attend external meetings and learning collaborations for Positive Youth Development and Social Justice
• Complete monthly and quarterly reports; data input and review
• Manage Youth Development, Empowerment, and Advocacy email and calendar
• Additional ad-hoc tasks as required.

SKILLS YOU’LL NEED:

• A commitment to and a passion for the mission, vision, values, and culture of SPY
• A self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work and communicate respectfully within a context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds
• Experience using technology; social media, database systems, Google, Microsoft

BACKGROUND YOU’LL NEED:

• 2-3+ years of experience working within social services, youth experiencing homelessness and/or experiencing homelessness
• Experience facilitating programs or workshops through a positive youth development framework

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: In an effort to stem the significant increase in COVID-19 positive tests as a result of the Delta variant, the State Health Officer has issued an order, which went into effect on August 9, 2021, requiring paid and unpaid workers of homeless services organizations to provide proof of vaccination or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing if still not fully vaccinated. Please send proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. Failure to provide proof of vaccination will require the candidate to produce a negative test result within 72 hours of their first day of employment and commit to weekly testing. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please contact HR at HR@safeplaceforyouth.org.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.