San Diego Youth Services seeks a Case Manager in the Youth Homelessness Program to be based in San Diego. This is a full-time & non-exempt position reporting to the Program Manager. 

San Diego Youth Services:  Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 834,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 16,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to:

1. Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
2. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.
3. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
4. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.

SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million. 

You can learn more about us at www.sdyouthservices.org. 

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION:

The Youth Homelessness Program provides specialized wrap-around assistance to youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. This position is responsible for providing comprehensive trauma-informed case management services to youth. This position will include but is not limited to providing case management, independent living skills development, housing support, safety planning, linkage to outside resources, and additional individualized services to Transition Aged Youth (TAY) 18 – 24 years old. Provide supportive services focused on obtaining and stabilizing housing. Manage participant motivation, skill building and permanency; housing system navigation and removal of barriers. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Contribute to the integrated trauma-informed approach for youth, adhering to and upholding the rigorous standards of San Diego Youth Services as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Assist youth in moving in and out of the coordinated entry system including administering the TAY VI-SPDAT to participants, if needed.
• Provide advocacy, information, referral, case management, independent living skills development, mental health support, co-occurring services, crisis intervention, employment readiness, education services, financial planning, permanency planning and other trauma-informed direct services to current/former homeless youth.
• Establish rapport with transition-aged youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Link youth with resources that are appropriate to their individualized needs.
• Develop Vision Plans, provide coaching and resource navigation services in areas relating to the development of independent living skills, educational and vocational services, health and wellness, and crisis intervention.
• Monitor participant progress and maintain accurate records including data entry into approved databases and reports.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance with agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including availability to work Evening Hours and Weekends.
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with staff and supportive service providers within the program, the agency, and the community.
• Work independently and as a team member to create innovative ways to meet goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants.
• Participate in all required training, meetings and consultation/supervisions.
• Ensure contract compliance and quality control of service delivery and evaluation.
• Refer and link participants to appropriate community resources and provide “wraparound” support services as needed.
• Provide transportation to youth, if needed to support case needs.
• Orient service partners to services through intake and needs assessments as appropriate. Serve as participant advocate when navigating resources outside of the agency.
• Provide direct care during regularly scheduled shifts including supervising youth, maintaining the facility, and other activities as assigned.
• Sustain SDYS’s commitment to family and youth driven care.
• Perform other Duties as assigned.

SDYS EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
• Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments.
• Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Sociology, or another closely related field preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• At least two years’ experience working with at-risk youth ages 18-24 who have experienced homelessness preferred.
• Must have knowledge of or be willing to learn the Coordinated Entry System.
• Must have experience with residential and housing (i.e., case management, resource linkage, housing navigation, voucher systems).
• Must be willing to develop or possess working knowledge of trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment.
• Detail oriented with ability to work in a very diverse setting with people of all backgrounds, culture and orientation.
• Demonstrate leadership and problem-solving abilities, training skills, creativity, and public speaking.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task is a must.
• Have a valid driver’s license, insurance and reliable transportation to transport youth as needed in the community.
• Must be available to work weekends and evenings as assigned by supervisor and/or as needed.
• Successfully complete background check, drug test, and TB test. Must have or be willing to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Willing to support youth with the moving process which may require the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

STRATEGIC IMPACT: Support efforts to end youth homelessness in San Diego and increase youths’ capacity to live self-sufficient lives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Hourly Range: $23 - $25

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website.

SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution.  SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services.  

As an organization working to meet the basic needs of youth, create positive connections, help youth develop life skills, and promote overall health and well-being, SDYS believes its practices and actions must reflect the highest level of commitment to access, equity, and social justice. 

The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members invest in their work represents not only part of the SDYS’ culture, but the SDYS’ reputation and achievements as well. SDYS remains open to feedback from all communities it touches and knows that input from those with direct experience of issues will make the SDYS more effective in achieving its goals.

SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and 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.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States.

SDYS is proud to be a Kindness Certified company.