Client Services Navigator - YouthBuild (2966)

Client Services Navigator
This is a bargaining unit position represented by the OPEIU.  All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement.
 

WORK SCHEDULE: This full-time, regular, non-exempt position is based onsite and may require work during days, evenings, nights, weekends based on programming needs. This position is on-site, client-facing, and non-remote.  

ABOUT YOUTHBUILD: YouthBuild programs provide pathways for youth and young adults who are out-of-school and out of work to a living wage job. All over the world YouthBuild programs unleash the positive energy of low-income young people to rebuild their communities and their lives, breaking the cycle of poverty with a commitment to work, education, family, and community. At YouthCare’s YouthBuild, located at South Seattle College’s Georgetown Campus, young people learn construction skills through building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in their neighborhoods while they complete their GED or prepare for post-secondary education or apprenticeships in the building trades.

COLLABORATION WITH CENTRALIZED CLIENT SERVICES TEAM: This position works in close collaboration with the Centralized Client Services (CCS) team to support coordinated service delivery, housing navigation, referrals, and access to community-based resources for residents. While the role is housed within the YouthBuild program and supervised by YouthBuild leadership, it partners closely with CCS staff to strengthen service planning, housing support, cultural needs planning, and overall coordination of care.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor - YouthBuild, the Client Services Navigator – YouthBuild  is responsible for providing direct, trauma-informed services to a caseload of up to 20 clients at a time. This position will work in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with staff to support the diverse and intersecting needs of young people engaged in the YouthBuild program. The Client Service Navigator – YouthBuild will enroll, track, and provide case management support for YouthBuild participants to reduce barriers to employment and post-secondary education, including apprenticeship.

The Client Service Navigator – YouthBuild will help with recruiting cohorts of young people into the program and support program goals to develop alumni programming. The Client Success Navigator – YouthBuild  will be required to tailor their approach and service delivery to support youth navigating and overcoming barriers to setting and achieving personal and professional goals. The position requires an individual who can actively contribute to a positive, stable, responsive, and responsible environment for change.

The role includes conducting housing assessments, Coordinated Entry for All (CEA) nominations, diversion, prevention, and housing navigation to appropriate housing and community resources. The Client Services Navigator will work across funding streams and be able to use varied modalities to support clients towards stability and housing. The Client Services Navigator is expected to work closely with all Orion Center and YouthBuild staff and related programs, providing broader programmatic support and ensure coordinated service delivery and holistic client support.
This role requires flexibility, collaboration, and strong organizational skills to support young people and young adults in crisis as they work toward stability and independence.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build trust and rapport with young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, young people who have experienced sexual exploitation, have experienced incarceration or detention, and/or young people who are at risk.
• Manage a defined caseload of YouthBuild participants of up to 20. Ensure consistency in expectations and service delivery.
• Conduct comprehensive housing assessments, create individualized service plans, and support clients
• through the CEA nomination and referral process.
• Engage, support, coach, and develop young people using healing-centered engagement practices and a strength-based approach. Support clients in developing self-advocacy and life skills necessary for long-term independence and develop individualized service plans.
• Provide on-site in-person services, while maintaining professional boundaries in providing crisis intervention and services to young people. Must learn and apply positive behavior modification techniques and model effective de-escalation, problem-solving and mediation skills. Be willing to intervene in times of crisis using these skills.
• Coordinate and maintain structured programming schedules and develop lesson plans and curriculum materials.

Documentation and Accountability –

• Monitor follow-through and progress. Track 30, 60, 90-day milestones and support with Aftercare plans.
• Complete necessary paperwork and data collection, including intake, enrollment, individual service plans, attainments, case notes, exits and referrals, as needed. Additionally complete incident reports within the required timeframe on any facility damage, medical emergencies or any incident which occurs out of the ordinary functioning of the site or program.
• Read and maintain accurate and timely case records, progress notes, emails, logbooks, and other types of documentation and enter data into YouthCare’s CaseWorthy client management system according to agency standards.
• Execute Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) tasks and accreditation standards and adhere to all agency policies and procedures. Identify gaps in data and follow-through.
• Comply with the agency’s mandated reporting requirement and report suspected abuse, neglect, or sexual exploitation of minors within the required timeframe.

Culturally Responsive Practice and Collaboration:

• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all site and programmatic staff, partners, and volunteers to create a nurturing, dynamic, and constructive environment for young people.
• Work collaboratively with other YouthCare programs, families, school district professionals, crisis services personnel, and staff from other agencies in support of youth.
• Communicate client needs and behaviors to the appropriate staff, and refer young people to appropriate and necessary services, as needed.
• Participate in regular supervision, client consultations, and staff and agency meetings. Attend and fully participate in meetings, professional development opportunities, and designated training sessions as required.
• Act as a professional representative of YouthCare and maintain a professional working environment (office, personal workspace, agency vehicle, etc.).
• Reliably attend and contribute to training and development as needed for your role and the needs of our Agency as a whole such as program requirements, DEI&J, supervision and others as identified.
• Contribute to our DEI&J culture by creating at least one SMART Goal related to DEI&J within your control to deliver.

Systems Navigation and Advocacy:

• Act as a liaison between YouthCare programs, public systems (e.g., DCYF, DSHS, juvenile justice,
• education), and community providers to ensure coordinated, equitable service delivery.
• Coordinate services across YouthCare’s programs to ensure consistent, integrated care.
• Support clients with a broad range of needs, including housing instability, behavioral health, education,
• employment, and life skills development.

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients, and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:           

• Bachelor's degree or master's Degree in counseling, social work, human services, or a related field.
• At least one (1) year of experience working with at-risk youth or young adults in a crisis, during outreach efforts, or in a residential/community-based setting OR four (4) years of full-time work experience directly working with, managing, or overseeing vulnerable populations in a related field.
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age.  DCYF Clearance must be maintained for the entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior case management experience.
• Two (2) or more years of experience successfully working with vulnerable young people or young adults in crisis, during outreach efforts, or in a residential setting.
• Experience developing, supporting, or facilitating life skills groups, workshops, curriculum, or psychoeducational activities for young people.
• Experience supporting housing navigation, documentation systems, program coordination, or structured programming in a residential or shelter setting.
• Training or coursework in human development, mental health, chemical dependency, housing navigation, residential care, education, group facilitation, or culturally responsive service delivery.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
• Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one year of hire date).
• Ability to be eligible to drive agency vehicles. Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, meet minimum safe driving criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Van Certification trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3 years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
• Ability to obtain a current Food Handler’s Card
• Successful completion of pre-service training courses as required by contracting agencies.  Training such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Behavior Management.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, respond therapeutically in crisis situations, and de-escalate conflict.
• Commitment to YouthCare’s cultural proficiency and DEI&J initiatives.

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Ability to perform a range of physical motions, exerting up to 50 pounds. Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; running for brief periods of time; and go up and down stairs.