Youth Coach

Are you passionate about empowering young adults and making a meaningful difference in your community? Are you ready to learn skills applicable across the human services field? And are you looking to work closely with a team of dedicated professionals? Join our Basic Needs Program in Burlington at the Drop-In Center as a Youth Coach. All Spectrum staff, including Youth Coaches, are expected to participate in regular and ongoing supervision and training to best serve the youth we work with. This position is a member of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, trade union.

This is a full time nonexempt position. The hours are Friday - Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and Wednesday 2:00 - 6:00 pm, which pays $21.63 per hour plus a $2.00 weekend shift differential. We offer a robust benefits package, including health, HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage; accrued time off and health leave, and a 403(b) retirement plan. 

In this role, you are an important part of the Drop-In community! Youth Coaches are some of the first people to help young adults facing hardship in our community. Youth Coaches help Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) ages 14-25 gain access to food, shelter, stability, take steps to heal from trauma, accomplish their goals and build meaningful community. 

Essential Functions 

• Maintain the Drop-In Center as a safe, clean, and accessible space for Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), ages 14-24.

• Provide basic needs including hygiene supplies, meals, clothing and community to youth who access Drop-In services.

• Provide supportive engagement, brief interventions and crisis intervention techniques based on Spectrum provided trainings

• Provide resource coordination and referrals to other Spectrum and community services as appropriate.

• Assist with designing and implementing positive youth activities, field trips and groups.

• Advocate for and with youth within Spectrum, their personal relationships and the community to make positive change

• Other Duties:

 Knowledge and Skills Required 

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be knowledgeable about issues facing target population (Transitional Aged Youth, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health problems, family conflict, physical health issues, criminality, disability, marginalized identities etc.) and be willing to learn.
• Must be knowledgeable or willing to learn about area resources available to youth and young adults and be able to dispense that information as needed to youth seeking services. 
• Ability to build relationships quickly and across time with diverse populations and large groups of people.
• The ability to work independently and as a team member and according to the NASW code of Ethics. 
• Participating in supervision and being able to offer, accept, and utilize feedback.
• Commitment to the values of diversity with respect to gender identity, race, age, socio-economic level, sexual orientation, and religion.
• This position may include driving the Spectrum van and/or transporting clients. A driver’s license is preferred but not required. 

Work Environment

The above duties will be carried out in the Drop-In Center and occasionally transporting clients in the local area. Requires sitting, standing, general use of stairs, and lifting or moving up to 20 pounds.

The above duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed in this job. They should not be construed as an exhaustive listing of all job duties and responsibilities by employees so classified.