JOB TITLE: Youth Matcher (Housing Resources)

REPORTS TO: YCES Program Manager/Regional Coordinator

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (9:00am-5:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

STATUS: Full-time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [ If yes, see driving policy below]

SALARY RANGE: $21.00 - $24.00/hr

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 over 100 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 Matcher (Housing Resources) is a critical role to the overall functioning of YCES in SPA 5. The Matcher is responsible for matching young people being served by YCES to available safe and stable housing resources and therefore is responsible for maintaining a live list of SPA 5 youth in need of housing as well as SPA 5 housing resources. That Matcher will work closely with the SPA 5 YCES Regional Manager to ensure proper implementation of all YCES contracts in SPA 5 as it relates to matching. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, a skilled communicator and is deeply aligned with SPY’s philosophical approach to youth housing, including housing first.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Work within the Youth Coordinated Entry System (YCES) to match young people to housing resources across the continuum of care including bridge shelter, transitional housing, permanent and permanent supportive housing resources. 
• Adhere to LAHSA YCES Interim Guidelines applicable to matching responsibilities. 
• Develop understanding of different housing resources made available through YCES including their eligibility requirements, cultural approach, services provided and contact information.
• Explore non-YCES housing programs in SPA 5 to build out an extended list of housing resources to support clients when YCES doesn't have available resources.
• Develop close working relationships with local service providers, outreach workers, case managers, landlords and housing providers.
• Utilize a harm reduction, trauma informed, housing first approach when working with youth and prioritize youth choice in their housing plan.
• Provide mediation and crisis intervention to youth as needed.
• Provide mediation and individualized care coordination to services providers as needed.
• Support Points of Contact in timely completion of required forms, and up-to-date copies of all documentation (e.g. id’s, birth certificates, receipts, leases, income verification) as it relates to securing housing.
• Retain thorough and diligent case notes to document progress towards housing as needed.
• Participate in community and collaborative meetings related to YCES and housing as needed.
• Complete and submit all required forms, case records, statistical reports and documentation to Program Managers as needed within designated time lines.
• Lead case conferencing meetings with SPA 5 points of contacts to help make new matches and to stay up to date on any needs that have come up with youth enrolled in a housing program.
• Work closely with LAHSA’s matching team including sending regular data reports, attending required meetings, and implementing new policies and best practices as released.
• Develop and present training on YCES flow, interim guidelines and best practices for local services providers working with youth experiencing homelessness.
• Work closely with Data and Impact Manager to maintain data on the progress of all matches sent as well as the housing status of all youth who have had the Next Step Tool in SPA 5, in addition to any other relevant data requests.
• Additional ad-hoc tasks as required.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor's Degree or Master’s in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or related field is preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience using HMIS/CES Systems in input youth experiencing homeless is required. 
• 1-2 years of experience using CHAMP is a plus.
• 1-2 years of experience in case management, counseling or related experience is required.
• 2+ years experience in homeless services is required.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills, including organizational, detail and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced computer skills including word-processing, database operations, spreadsheet management and other software systems.
• Working knowledge of trauma- informed, harm reduction and housing first service models.
• Knowledge of social service resources for youth experiencing and at-risk of homelessness.
• Prior knowledge of (Youth) CES and HMIS is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid California driver’s license and proof of current insurance.

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: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated, weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are limited.

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:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

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.

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. 

EEO STATEMENT:

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.

Please include references in your application