PREVAIL (formerly Women’s Center – Youth & Family Services) is pioneering restoration and elevating voices of advocacy, idealism, and leadership for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and the aftermath of such victimizations, including youth homelessness and human trafficking/sexual exploitation. For more than five decades, PREVAIL has been providing safety, compassion, and respect as we educate, empower and advocate for individuals, families, and young people.

Our vision is to create opportunities for hope, healing, and growth by breaking intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse. Join our team and be part of building a safer community.

Position Description:

The Youth Shelters Program Specialist provides onsite support to the youth shelter programs. This position provides shelter shift coverage and is responsible for handling day-to-day operations regarding facility needs, licensing compliance, and shelter client needs, requiring trauma-informed intervention services to support the healing of families, individuals, and children that have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, and the aftermath of such victimizations, including human trafficking and youth homelessness. These services may include but are not limited to crisis intervention; support services, including peer counseling, educational classes, support groups, and case management; and after-care services. Program Specialists work directly with Program Coordinators and other leadership members to ensure effective interventions for client cases and/or to address obstacles and barriers clients may be facing.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Direct Services – Provide quality, trauma-informed advocacy to support the following client needs:

• Role model day-to-day living skills with shelter clients, including but not limited to, meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, and other appropriate habits; provide supervision to clients in the shelter; ensure appropriate shelter conditions, including but not limited to, cleanliness and supplies; ensure appropriate implementation of shelter procedures and/or any licensing regulations; provide in-person and over-the phone intervention services to prospective and current clients, such as crisis intervention and peer counseling.
• Reinforce shelter policy and procedures with staff and clients; handle challenging client situations; and other related tasks.
• Participate in and attend regular trainings related to licensing regulations.
• Initiate and/or maintain communication with community partners, as needed and directed by Program Coordinator or other leadership members.
• Peer counseling: Services include psychoeducation and intervention in a one-to-one setting, to meet client needs; services may occur in-person, via telephone or teleconferencing; etc.
• Provide communication of care among and not limited to; guardian, school, and Child Protective Services, when applicable, and assist in compliance monitoring and site visits from Community Care Licensing Division.
• Act as onsite facility manager when on duty.
• Participate in staff rotation of backup shift coverages.
• Supervise client interaction and use conflict resolution and de-escalation skills as necessary to maintain a healthy and neutral environment. Interact with youth and encourage engagement in services that could be beneficial. Connect clients to services within PREVAIL and outside resources as appropriate.
• Community Engagement: Represent the agency at internal and external events including, but not limited to, program partnerships, funder/contract reporting meetings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, etc.; may provide educational presentations to a variety of community-based organizations and/or partners.

Administrative

• Executes comprehensive and detailed documentation, and performs other administrative tasks, as necessary, to support both program operations and role responsibilities.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must support PREVAIL’s mission and be dedicated to eliminating domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and youth homelessness, in addition to supporting the fundamental values of both feminism and the social work profession, including the worth, dignity, and uniqueness of all persons as well as their rights and opportunities.
• Tuberculosis and Physical health screening clearance (within 7 days of hire)
• CCL Group Home Regulations Experience (or complete 40 hours of training within 30 days of hire)
• Successful completion of Victim Assistance Training (within six months of hire).
• Fingerprint clearance is required.
• Experience in working with children, adolescents and families/adults.
• Reliability and consistency with attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and awareness of and sensitivity to the cultures represented in San Joaquin County.
• Ability to productively work both autonomously and as a team member.
• Complex Problem Solving identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with key stakeholders, including but not limited to government partners, community and individual supporters, executive leadership, and the Board of Directors.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associate degree in a related field preferred.
• One year of full-time experience, or its equivalent, working with homeless or runaway youth. Experience shall be verified as having been performed as a paid or volunteer staff person whose duties required direct supervision, and the care of the client group served.
• Or completion with a passing grade, from an accredited or approved college or university, of 15 college semester or equivalent quarter units in behavioral science, 9 units of which must be in courses relating to children with behavioral problems which may be the result of abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma.
• Reliable transportation, valid California Driver’s License, and proof of insurance.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift to 50 pounds at times.
• Must be able to ascend and descend up to three flights of stairs throughout a typical workday.

Position Summary:

Title: Program Specialist (Youth Shelters)
Status: Full-Time / Non-Exempt or Part-Time
Reports to: Program Coordinator
Salary: $18.70 – $23.38

Join us on our mission to build a stronger community by fostering the strengths in individuals and by acting as a catalyst to end violence and youth homelessness. Download the application and apply today.