717 Youth Activities jobs in the United States

Position: Youth Engagement Specialist - RRH (YES)

Reports to: Program Services Coordinator and/or Lead YES

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Schedule Available: Wednesday - Sunday, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Position Summary:

Understand, practice, and promote the vision, mission, and five principles of Covenant House Texas. Demonstrate an enthusiastic commitment to the position, organization, and youth we engage.

General Responsibilities:

• The Youth Engagement Specialist is expected to have actual, intentional contact with every assigned youth (as feasible) throughout the course of each shift.
• Provide face to face support and intervention in multiple settings including, but not limited to the Youth Engagement Center, Safe Haven, or Rights of Passage.
• As directed by PSC or Lead YES, may assist in documentation for youth files, ETO reporting, assist youth to accomplish plan outcomes or goals, and develop collaborative relationships with other community partners for youth support.
• Engage youth in appropriate educational, vocational, and life skill programming.
• Work with team to plan, implement, and support engagement activities facilitated by internal staff and external partners.
• Always ensure the safety and whereabouts of youth and security of buildings and property are maintained.
• Performs intakes, discharges, answers phones, assists in the operating and basic needs of the youth in the programs.
• Provide specific trauma-informed services to assist youth in successful outcomes.
• Relentlessly show up and be present in young people's lives, especially through times of relapse and crisis.
• Commit to engage in personal and professional growth and competence development, participate in organization training activities to increase capacity to serve youth every day.
• Keep supervisor fully informed at all times.
• Participates in the team, shift change, and staff meetings.
• Performs other duties/responsibilities or special projects as necessary by supervisor.

• High School Diploma or GED required; further education in Human Services, Social Work or Psychology preferred.
• Basic understanding of adolescent development and behaviors; demonstrate enjoyment of and ability to relate to at-risk youth and exhibit empathy with the joys and pains of others.
• Self-motivation, initiative, sound judgment, and commitment to ongoing learning are essential.
• Must be dependable and able to report to work in a timely manner and work a flexible schedule outside normal business hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Is approachable, builds rapport well, and practices attentive and active listening.
• Supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all.
• Understand and comply with all Agency policies and procedures, including Child Protection Policies.
• Ability to address conflict well and manage difficult youth in a supportive and non-threatening manner; able to respond quickly and safely and serve as a settling influence in crisis situations and emergencies.
• Ability to work and relate to diverse groups with people of varied cultural backgrounds and tolerate differences in behavior.
• Understand, comply, and implement Trauma-Informed Care concepts and a Strengths-Based Approach.
• Proficient with computer operating systems and programs.
• Current (valid) license and successful pass of federal, local, and state background check required.
• Must be able to perform the physical activities and mental abilities of the job with or without accommodation.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide one-on-one coaching to build confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy.

Support youth in navigating school-to-work and school-to-college transitions.

Celebrate milestones, recognize achievements, and build long-term engagement.

Collaborate with navigators to reinforce career goals.

Case management and client follow up to ensure successful completion of education and/or transition to the workforce

Preferred Skills:

Training facilitation (employability skills, financial literacy, leadership).

Experience working with disconnected or at-risk youth populations.

Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.

Ability to work in a variety of settings with a culturally diverse customer base, with the ability to be culturally sensitive

Ability to serve as a role model to customers and motivate them towards achieving goals

Ability to read and interpret policies and procedures

Experience in Workforce development

Personal computer literacy required, including effective use of the Internet, e-mail, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook);

Ability to meet and/or exceed set goals and objectives;

Excellent interpersonal, customer service, organizational skills, and communication skills, both oral and written, required

Exceptional time management skills to meet deadlines and work under pressure

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

The Mental Health Therapist on the Youth Engagement Team (YET) supports youth under the age of 18 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Therapist supports youth and their families who need conflict mediation, case management, and counseling support. The therapist must have a strong clinical background, knowledge of community and housing resources, experience mediating with families and adolescents, and teaching conflict resolution skills. The therapist will work to engage and motivate youth and families to participate in supportive services designed to prevent homelessness and maintain family reunification whenever possible.

The Therapist is a key member of the Behavioral Health team and plays a crucial role in providing support to the community.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, hourly

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor (Outpatient or Community)

essential duties

Clinical Services Tasks

1. Provide evidence-based and culturally responsive therapeutic interventions and services to youth who are systems involved, at risk of experiencing homelessness, and/or currently homeless or unstably housed.
2. Engage youth and families facing imminent housing instability into case management services, ensuring timely and appropriate support.
3. Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and provide individual and family therapy, based on clinical needs and goals.
4. Stay informed on best practices in crisis intervention and provide timely crisis support and stabilization to clients and within agency programs.
5. Support youth and families in identifying core areas of conflict and facilitate individual and joint sessions to foster healthier communication and problem-solving.
6. Convene and lead multidisciplinary team meetings using a wraparound approach, incorporating natural supports and family members to promote youth well-being.

1. Collaborate with internal staff to develop and implement short- and long-term service plans that strengthen family relationships and build sustainable support networks.
2. Develop and implement aftercare support plans with youth and families; provide follow-up support, as appropriate.
3. Partner with the Housing Navigator/case manger to connect youth and families to housing resources and other wraparound services, including education, employment, and health care.
4. Provide client transportation throughout King County when necessary to support treatment and stability goals.

1. Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Clinical Supervisor to review cases, receive feedback, and support clinical growth.
2. Attend team case consultations and relevant program or division meetings to ensure coordinated care and team collaboration.
3. Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices, interventions, and diagnostic trends relevant to youth mental health.
4. Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical documentation in compliance with King County and Washington State WAC requirements.
5. Make and track referrals to appropriate services that help youth and families meet their goals, including housing, employment, education, and healthcare supports.
6. Collaborate with the Youth Engagement Team (YET) to strengthen interagency partnerships and enhance coordinated service delivery with partners such as YMCA, DCYF, LCYC, All Home, and advisory teams.
7. Collect and input required client data into the agency's database systems and report metrics and outcomes to the supervisor in a timely manner.

1. Master's degree in human services field.
2. Licensed with the State of Washington as an LICSW/LSWAIC. LMHC/A, or LMFT/A.
3. Minimum of 1-year relevant work experience with youth, young adults and/or families experiencing homelessness.
4. Experience providing family support and/or counseling utilizing a wraparound approach.
5. Advanced clinical competency in treating complex traumas and family dynamic issues utilizing a strengths-based holistic approach.
6. Familiarity with Ecologically based family therapy, Functional Family Therapy training and/or Multi-Systemic Therapy preferred.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of MS365 Power Platform.

1. Must satisfactorily pass criminal history check.
2. Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test.
3. Must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to obtain one by date of employment).
4. Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business, must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth.
5. Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
6. Must successfully complete the following health certification requirements within 30 days of employment: CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.

1. Generous time off including 15 vacation days per year, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, 2 social justice leave days per year for full-time employees
2. Health insurance package including medical, dental, vision, 24/7 access to telehealth, long term disability and life insurance
3. Retirement plan with match
4. Transgender Health Benefits

The Mental Health Therapist on the Youth Engagement Team (YET) supports youth under the age of 18 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Therapist supports youth and their families who need conflict mediation, case management, and counseling support. The therapist must have a strong clinical background, knowledge of community and housing resources, experience mediating with families and adolescents, and teaching conflict resolution skills. The therapist will work to engage and motivate youth and families to participate in supportive services designed to prevent homelessness and maintain family reunification whenever possible.

The Therapist is a key member of the Behavioral Health team and plays a crucial role in providing support to the community.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, hourly

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor (Outpatient or Community)

essential duties

Clinical Services Tasks

1. Provide evidence-based and culturally responsive therapeutic interventions and services to youth who are systems involved, at risk of experiencing homelessness, and/or currently homeless or unstably housed.
2. Engage youth and families facing imminent housing instability into case management services, ensuring timely and appropriate support.
3. Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and provide individual and family therapy, based on clinical needs and goals.
4. Stay informed on best practices in crisis intervention and provide timely crisis support and stabilization to clients and within agency programs.
5. Support youth and families in identifying core areas of conflict and facilitate individual and joint sessions to foster healthier communication and problem-solving.
6. Convene and lead multidisciplinary team meetings using a wraparound approach, incorporating natural supports and family members to promote youth well-being.

1. Collaborate with internal staff to develop and implement short- and long-term service plans that strengthen family relationships and build sustainable support networks.
2. Develop and implement aftercare support plans with youth and families; provide follow-up support, as appropriate.
3. Partner with the Housing Navigator/case manger to connect youth and families to housing resources and other wraparound services, including education, employment, and health care.
4. Provide client transportation throughout King County when necessary to support treatment and stability goals.

Administrative Tasks

1. Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Clinical Supervisor to review cases, receive feedback, and support clinical growth.
2. Attend team case consultations and relevant program or division meetings to ensure coordinated care and team collaboration.
3. Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices, interventions, and diagnostic trends relevant to youth mental health.
4. Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical documentation in compliance with King County and Washington State WAC requirements.
5. Make and track referrals to appropriate services that help youth and families meet their goals, including housing, employment, education, and healthcare supports.
6. Collaborate with the Youth Engagement Team (YET) to strengthen interagency partnerships and enhance coordinated service delivery with partners such as YMCA, DCYF, LCYC, All Home, and advisory teams.
7. Collect and input required client data into the agencys database systems and report metrics and outcomes to the supervisor in a timely manner.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

job requirements

a.Education and Experience

1. Masters degree in human services field.
2. Licensed with the State of Washington as an LICSW/LSWAIC. LMHC/A, or LMFT/A.
3. Minimum of 1-year relevant work experience with youth, young adults and/or families experiencing homelessness.
4. Experience providing family support and/or counseling utilizing a wraparound approach.
5. Advanced clinical competency in treating complex traumas and family dynamic issues utilizing a strengths-based holistic approach.
6. Familiarity with Ecologically based family therapy, Functional Family Therapy training and/or Multi-Systemic Therapy preferred.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of MS365 Power Platform.

b. Additional Requirements

1. Must satisfactorily pass criminal history check.
2. Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test.
3. Must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to obtain one by date of employment).
4. Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business, must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth.
5. Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
6. Must successfully complete the following health certification requirements within 30 days of employment: CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.

We offer:

1. Generous time off including 15 vacation days per year, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, 2 social justice leave days per year for full-time employees
2. Health insurance package including medical, dental, vision, 24/7 access to telehealth, long term disability and life insurance
3. Retirement plan with match
4. Transgender Health Benefits

Friends of Youth is committed to equity and creating a diverse and inclusive work environment as an equal opportunity employer. We welcome, honor, and celebrate our clients, colleagues, and communities diverse identities and cultures. For more information, email

Compensation details: 26-32.5 Hourly Wage

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