The mission of NVFS is to empower individuals and families to improve their quality of life, and to promote community cooperation and support in responding to family needs. The IPE program serves youth ages 10-21 who are at risk for gang involvement, are currently gang involved, or have been victimized by gang violence. The Youth Counselor will provide short-term case management services to address youth’s unique gang-intervention (for example, safety planning on how to leave a gang safely or refusal and resistance skills training to resist recruitment efforts).
The Youth Counselor will work with referred youths’ parents or guardians to increase effective communication and appropriate limit-setting, provide education about the signs of gang involvement or other negative behaviors, and provide information about the ways families can support their children so that they are less vulnerable to gang involvement and other unhealthy relationships. Referrals for any needed services are provided, ensuring that families are connected to a supportive network and formal and informal resources in their community.
Essential Job Duties:
• Conduct intake and short-term case management services to assigned case load in accordance with IPE Service Delivery Model, including assessment, goal plan development, and referral
• Provide gang awareness education to referred youth and their parents
• Provide life skills education and intervention in accordance with client’s goal plan and resource needs
• Participate in planning and implementation of group-based activities for IPE clients
• Initiate and maintain collaborative contact with other providers working with the youth and their family, including the referral source, and appropriate school personnel in order to effectively coordinate service delivery and monitor client’s progress towards goals
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other community partners
• Develop and implement plans to educate and increase gang awareness in the community
• Prepare statistical and narrative reports as required
Education and experience required:
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or criminal justice from an accredited college or university
• At least 2 years related direct service experience in human services, youth development, case management, and / or working with at-risk youth
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of gang dynamics
• Oral and written proficiency in English, with Spanish proficiency required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Clean DMV record; valid U.S. driver’s license and own/reliable transportation
• Ability to work a flexible schedule; evening, weekend, and on-call availability required
• Must be comfortable with undesirable home conditions
• Successful completion of background checks required upon hire
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified.
Please submit a letter of intent and resume to careers@nvfs.org.