JOB TITLE: Access Center and Housing Intern (CRCD Internship)
REPORTS TO: Director of Access and Engagement/ Director of Housing
STATUS: Part-time, 20 -25 hours/week for (1000 hours total)
CELL PHONE: N/A
DRIVER POSITION: No [if yes, please reference driving policy]
SALARY RANGE: Unpaid
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 committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, fostering community collaboration, and delivering innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion, and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.
SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but not 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 individuals who self-identify as belonging to historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The 12-month, 1000-hour-long internship for the Non-Profit Management program will offer participants on-the-job training, a professional development curriculum, and support in identifying and transitioning into long-term employment. Interns may be placed in either the Access Center (SPY’s Drop-in Center on Lincoln Blvd) or in one of SPY’s interim housing programs, including the Meadow on Melrose. Through these placements, interns will gain experience in front-line supportive services, outreach, case management, housing navigation, supporting long-term housing stability and other identified needs. Throughout the program, interns will participate in one-on-one support sessions with the Intern Liaison as well as group-based professional development classes.
This internship is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in building workforce skills and gaining meaningful experience in homeless services.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Participate in SPY's orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff and volunteers as needed
- Use a harm reduction, trauma-informed, housing-first model when working with youth.
- Actively participate in case management activities and team discussions to build knowledge and practical skills.
- Use a harm reduction, trauma-informed, housing-first model when working with youth.
- Develop authentic, positive, and supportive relationships with SPY members and staff, building rapport and providing direct support during Access Center drop-in hours or within Housing programming, depending on placement. Through either setting, interns will increase their understanding of available services, resources, and coordinated care approaches.
- Support the SPY Access Center Team by handling frontline duties, including facilitating drop-in center services. (clothing closet, showers, laundry, meals)
- Under the supervision of SPY Mentor, conduct Access Center and Housing intakes, assess needs, and refer new youth to pertinent services/programs such as housing, mental health, benefits, education, and employment as needed. Develop individualized case plans that outline goals related to housing, education, employment, wellness, financial stability, and other identified areas of need.
- Collect and assess ongoing information to support participant safety, well-being, and measurable progress toward established goals.
- Work within the Coordinated Entry System (CES), utilizing HMIS and SPY Database to track and record Drop-in and Housing Case Management data.
- Under the supervision of the SPY management, complete and submit all required forms, case records, statistical reports, and related documentation within established timelines. This includes timely and accurate data entry for case and service plans, progress notes, youth agreements, resident progress trackers, and any other required records.
- Support SPY outreach team in conducting outreach and tracking new members, as needed.
- Attend SPY drop-in center and housing team meetings.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.
SKILLS YOU’LL NEED:
- Must be at least 18 years of age. This is required.
- Valid Driver’s License or State ID is required.
- Active listener; uses reflection techniques when working with others to learn their needs and interests.
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment; willing to work as part of a team. Collaborative and efficient problem-solving.
- Takes initiative; sets high standards for personal and team performance.
- Open to learning; willing to take a patient and consistent approach to one’s own development and growth.
- Takes direction easily and responds well to feedback.
- Thoughtful communicator; seeks to provide feedback in constructive ways.
- Welcoming personality; able to encourage and promote group and service participation.
- Is authentic and respectful of other members’ authenticity; appreciates diverse perspectives.
- Able to maintain a safe atmosphere for all people in the SPY environment.
- Willingness to work with folks of diverse experiences and backgrounds.
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:
Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.
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 and/or booster (if eligible for the booster shot) 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, contact HR at HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. Please be mindful that these accommodations are limited in nature.
Driver Positions:
Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:
- Suspended or revoked license
- Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
- Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
- Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
- At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years
The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:
For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.
NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.
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.