Youth Transitional Housing Resident Mentor

Professional

Headquarters - Walter Reed, WASHINGTON, DC, US

Housing Up is one of the leading non-profit organizations in Washington DC – helping more than 700 homeless and at-risk households to transform their own lives. We provide the full spectrum of housing, which includes permanent supportive, rapid rehousing, transitional, and affordable rental housing. Households also receive supportive services include case management, employment services, clinical services, housing counseling, resident services, life skills, and youth programming.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Transitional Housing Resident Mentor is responsible for delivering supportive services for transition-aged youth clients (ages 18 – 24) who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. Additionally, clients may be economically and/or emotionally detached from their support network. Through this work, the resident mentor will help youth improve basic life and interpersonal skills, access educational opportunities, assist with job preparation and attainment, access physical and mental health care, and obtain stable housing. The resident mentor helps to create an environment in which youth are empowered to achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency possible. While participating in this program, clients will live at a site-based transitional housing program, located in Washington, DC.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Influence and recognize positive behavior changes and identify problems and obstacles that threaten to undermine the client’s goals.
•    Collaborate with the team to plan regular community meetings, which are designed to foster camaraderie and address health and safety issues.
•    Organize and facilitate social and recreational activities designed to promote community involvement and peer support.
•    Work with clients to ensure that they meet their full potential.
•    Develop successful working relationships with clients that support their ability to increase their self-reliance, independent living skills, and housing stability.
•    Successfully mediate conflict between clients and intervene when crises occur. Liaise with the YTH Team to proactively plan so that recurrences are minimized.
•    Monitor progress towards client’s goals and convey these observations to the YTH team.
•    Provide individualized assistance regarding skill building and training, consistent with established case planning goals and to ensure client compliance with housing and community-related regulations and rules.
•    Establish new and maintain existing partnerships with community-based agencies for the purpose of serving clients.
•    Ensure the integrity and confidentiality of all client information.
•    Complete documentation and reports in a timely manner. This includes, but is not limited to, progress notes, program logs, Unusual Incident Reports, etc.
•    Establish new and maintain existing partnerships with community-based agencies for the purpose of serving youth residents.
•    Address resident conduct issues in a manner that is aligned with the Strength-Based and the Person-In-Environment approach to providing services.
•    Provide crisis intervention services and, if necessary, ensure that the case management team is aware of any need for additional clinical support.
•    Participate in Housing Up special events, helping to share information about Housing Up and working, as needed, to ensure event success.
•    Participate in trainings, as required.

•    Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

•    High School Diploma/GED.

APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

•    Minimum three years of related work experience, to include working with clients who are experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Experience working with transition-aged youth is preferred.
•    Sensitivity to the needs of youth (particularly youth of color, LGBTQ, low-income, and those who have experienced trauma) who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
•    Familiarity with the Strengths-Based and Housing First approaches to case management.
•    Well-versed in trauma-informed service delivery, with experience executing this approach in housing programs.
•    Ability to provide services with empathy and with consideration of how trauma impacts the mental, physical, and psychological responses of clients.
•    Demonstrated ability to partner with youth who have experienced mental health challenges, trauma, crisis, and community stress and successfully empower them to overcome their challenges.
•    Ability to establish and maintain trusting relationships – patience and perseverance.
•    Ability to de-escalates crises.
•    Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving abilities. An upbeat demeanor is required.
•    Working knowledge of DC area community resources to address client needs.
•    Knowledge of substance abuse/recovery, family systems, and mental health care.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills.
•    Strong documentation and reporting skills.
•    Strong planning and organizational skills.
•    Ability to prioritize effectively while managing multiple tasks and responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

•    The Resident Mentor will primarily work from a site-based transitional housing program in Washington, DC, which operates 24 hours, 7 days weekly. Employees here will require flexibility to work night and/or weekend shifts on a regular basis.
•    Requires ability to sit up to 3-6 hours per day with intermittent occasional walking and standing.
•    Must be available to participate in after hours on-call rotation, as well as be on call during inclement weather.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

•    Candidate must be computer literate and be able to navigate MS Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
•    Candidate must also possess a valid driver’s license and have a vehicle, as well as proof of auto insurance.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$39k - $43k, commensurate with work experience

CONTACT

To learn more about us, please visit www.housingup.org