Youth Outreach Support Services Specialist

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented ­­­­­­­­­­­­­Youth Outreach Service Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

Responsible for direct face-to-face community outreach services to street runaway homeless youth (RHY) in the Street Outreach Program (SOP).  Outreach includes but is not limited to:  Gateway Services, through the provision of food, water, clothing, hygienic products, housing/shelter assistance and other essential needs of street RHY as deemed necessary upon contact. The Youth Outreach Support Services Specialist must be able to serve as a Mentor to youth while recruiting or retaining them to the SOP by providing access to additional resources (medical, substance use and trafficking prevention), prosocial role modeling, and encouragement.  

Essential Functions:

• Identifies and coordinates Gateway Services and other essential needs, including referrals, screenings and assessments for sex or labor trafficking/exploitation or other negative physical/emotional impacts for runaway/homeless youth. 
• Performs direct face-to-face outreach efforts through street-based interviews, intakes, assessments and support for street RHY who need access to housing, education, employment, and other assistance that lead to sustainable independence. 
• Provides case management, coaching and mentorship to youth while determining eligibility for the provision of support and services for youth and supervises the process.   
• Assures that relevant statistical data and reports of outreach and engagement with street RHY are collected, processed, and submitted for inclusion in monthly/quarterly reporting to the appropriate agencies. 
• Expands program activities by collaborating with other community providers serving street RHY populations, including working with law enforcement to help alleviate tension between youths’ and police, where possible. 
• Coordinates activities and services with both appropriate LSF staff and mainstream social services agencies staff.  
• Builds knowledge, establishes relationships, and maintains collaborative efforts with community partners and stakeholders serving the street RHY population.  
• Attends all pertinent community meetings to promote the program. 

Other Functions:

Other duties as assigned. 

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand for long periods of time.  
• Comfortable and willing to work in high-risk community settings at nontraditional hours. 
• Flexibility in working hours beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Must possess a clean/valid Florida Driver License, reliable transportation and proof of Insurance (transcript of driving record will be requested from the Department of Motor Vehicle at the time of hire) 

Education:

High School Diploma required.  Post-secondary education preferred (Human Services, Marketing, Communications). 

Experience:

At least three years’ experience of working in social services and/or community outreach.  Knowledge of street runaway homeless youth populations is preferred.   

Skills:

• Good written and oral communication skill. 
• Maturity and good judgement. 
• Organized, disciplined and able to work independently and manage time effectively. 
• Knowledge of issues, needs and concerns of the target population(s). 
• Knowledge of the community to be served along with being able to provide linkage/referral, and follow-up services. 
• Mediation and/or problem-solving skills 

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs. 

Principle Accountabilities:

• Reports to Director. 
• Meeting or exceeding Contract deliverables relative to community outreach and education. 
• Team player with LSF co-workers. 
• Accuracy and timeliness in completing reports.  
• Adherence to LSF personnel policies and procedures.  

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need.?Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the?organization.?

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Teladoc (24/7 access to doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary), AD&D
• Health and dependent care FSA
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match
• Tuition reimbursement

Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.