Center for Human Services (CHS) is seeking a skilled, organized and caring person to join our Youth Navigation Center team asPathways navigator,who will provide initial screening, ongoing assessment and service navigation for youth 13-24 years of age, experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Youth are identified through outreach, phone calls, walk-ins, and referrals from outside agencies. Requires travel to meet with youth within Stanislaus County. Responsible for diversion, crisis response and intervention, shelter referrals, interim housing placement and linking youth with appropriate services.

Position Summary:

Provides initial screening, ongoing assessment and service navigation for youth 13-24 years of age who are experiencing homelessness and residing in the Pathways Transitional Housing Program. Responsible for working closely with program participants to develop individualized service plans.

DUTIES:

1. Conduct screenings and intakes of new program participants.
2. Establish goals in partnership with youth, concentrating on strengths and support youth in reaching those goals.
3. Stay connected with individuals to ensure all appointments, linkages and aftercare activities are completed.
4. Practice assertive, progressive engagement with individuals and families. Use persistent and creative methods to motivate, encourage participation, and promote follow-through.
5. Maintain client intake documentation and forms.
6. Assist in scheduling, preparing for and facilitating Coordinated Entry meetings.
7. Document service encounters as required, input data in an accurate and timely manner in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), excel spreadsheet, and/or case management files/database as program requires. Ensures that all client related data is both current and accurate.
8. Work with other service providers within the Continuum of Care to ensure that referrals and client lists are up to date and that clients are receiving quality care.
9. Prepare reports as required.
10. Participate in program development and create/maintain partnerships with other homeless service providers.
11. Meet or have contact with each participant and family members when appropriate, on a regular basis to provide support and promote stability.
12. Maintain client files and clear, professional and timely participant contact notes, service plans and other documentation to meet all confidentiality laws and guidelines.
13. Develop individual service plans in coordination with community and COC partners.
14. Provide crisis prevention, intervention, safety plans, stress management and life skills development as appropriate.
15. Assists participants in developing and attaining goals related to education, vocational training, employment and/or other meaningful daily activities that improve over-all well-being.
16. Attend required trainings, seek out learning opportunities for continued education and stay up to date on best practices in ending homelessness.
17. Assess and seek consultation through regular case conferencing and presentations.
18. Available to assist when participants are experiencing an immediate need, crisis or emergency (e.g. child abuse reporting, assessing for suicidal or homicidal risks or threats, emergency medical or mental health needs).
19. When required, provide transportation to participants to support activities with meeting housing planning goals or family reunification.
20. Facilitate group classes on a variety of relevant topics.
21. Work in the spirit of cooperation.
22. Performs other related duties as they are assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. One or more years experience in a like field preferred. Progressively responsible experience in a related field will be considered.
2. Bilingual in Spanish is highly preferred.
3. Experience working with youth ages 13-24 in a supportive/coaching capacity.
4. Experience working with youth who are homeless and/or have expressed mental health or substance use concerns preferred.
5. Experience and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of organizations and with people of all ages, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
6. Knowledge of Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed Care and Harm Reduction.
7. Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills.
8. Must be computer literate (Word, Excel, databases, etc.).
9. Pass agency paid criminal justice screening including fingerprints.
10. Pass agency paid TB (Tuberculosis) screening.
11. Pass agency paid health screening and/or drug testing.
12. Valid California drivers license and current proof of auto insurance coverage.
13. Pass agency paid MVR clearance with no more than 2 points- if you are under the age of 25 our insurance company will not allow any points.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Represent the agency in a professional and competent manner.
2. Advocate for the best interests of the agency and clients we serve.
3. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, clients, supervisors and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ancestry, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, medical conditions, marital status, amnesty and military or veteran status.
4. Will promote and support a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce and be responsive to the population within our service area.
5. Maintain confidentiality and confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or agency regulations.
6. Participate in assigned scheduled agency meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and other trainings as determined by the supervisor. This includes serving as an agency representative at assigned community meetings.
7. Observance of assigned working hours and program appointments by demonstrating promptness and thorough preparation.
8. Performance of assigned duties with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration and cooperation.
9. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
10. Perform job duties in a safe manner to ensure a safe working environment for oneself and others.
11. Participates in and/or supports agency fund development activities and events.
12. Preparation of assigned reports, work records, statistical data, job performance evaluations, work plans, etc. in a timely manner.