Department: Family Intervention Services
Position Title: Youth Development Specialist
Housing Services
Supervisor: Program Coordinator
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Date: Aug 2025
General Statement: The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is a spiritual regeneration of all people.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Unit Mission Statement:
"To provide youth with skills for a healthy life, and instill purpose, hope and vision to youth and their families."
JOB SUMMARY:
The Youth Development Specialist (YDS) for Housing services is a Full time 40 hours a week non-exempt position, that provides youth and young adults who are runaways, current and former foster youth, homeless, at risk of being homeless and/or youth involved in the juvenile justice system with transitional living opportunities and housing services in the County of Hawaii. The position is part of the Outreach and Prevention services, and performs the essential functions as indicated in this job description. The YDS is supervised by the Program Coordinator for Housing services
- ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- BA degree in human service or related field and one year job-related experience, or A.S. degree in Human Services or related field with three years job related experience, or High School Diploma with four years required related experience; and/or a combination equivalency of some college and related work experiences.
- Valid Hawaii driver’s license.
- Valid TB clearance and physical exam.
- FBI/Criminal History & CAN cleared
- Motor vehicle records (MVR) cleared – Meets Salvation Army standards as an authorized driver.
- DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrates knowledge in providing educational services through multiple media formats via tele video technology.
- At least 3 years experience specific to providing housing assistance to clients
- ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Provide outreach services to runaway & homeless youth and young adults; youth and young adults at risk being homeless, current and/or former foster youth, and/or youths in the juvenile justice system.
- Provides housing information assistance to clients
- Provide assessments, case management services and development of the youth’s individualized independent living plan, collateral contacts on behalf of a youth referred to or participating in the program.
- Provide transitional services in the areas of education, life skills and career/employment, financial aid, & community awareness.
- Provide crisis intervention services to youth and families.
- Assist youths and young adults who are at risk of homeless, with connections to housing placement resources and alternatives.
- Provide individualized services in or on behalf of youths residing in the agency’s foster family home, specialized independent living home, transitional supervised living arrangement, and/or living independently.
- Implements, Housing services, Transitional Services/case Management Standards of Care system.
- Actively participate in the coordination of the Transitional Services Collaboration Team.
- Orientate, train and supervise lower classified personnel and volunteers.
- Maintain required documentation and case records of youths and services provided.
- Provide monthly statistical data and prepare quarterly and other reports as required.
- Complete and evaluate the outcomes management system.
- Maintain professional worker/client and staff relationships at all times.
- Provides educational services through multiple media formats include the use of tele video technology.
- Obtain agency certification to operate agency vehicles to transport youth to and from activities.
- Attend all staff meetings, training, conferences as required or scheduled.
- Must be able to carry out and fulfill work duties during assigned work schedule and at work location.
- OTHER FUNCTIONS:
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:
- Willing to accept and implement The Salvation Army philosophy.
- Sound judgment, dependability, understanding, firm, caring, organized, high energy
- Liaison with and knowledge of public service agencies and other community agencies.
MENTAL DEMANDS:
- Work under stressful conditions
- Interact with others with courtesy and tact
- Relate to wide range of people and situations including youth, parents, agency workers, police, school personnel, etc.
- Work within an interdisciplinary team concept; participate in staff training and growth group
- Manage and prioritize multiple projects in an organized and efficient manner
- Respond to crisis situations in a calm and effective manner
- Complete projects on schedule
- Maintain confidentiality
- Maintain regular and punctual work attendance; may require flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The position requires sitting; climbing and/or balancing; stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching, crouching and/or crawling; standing; walking; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; use of vision; driving a vehicle; pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying 25-50 pounds and occasionally more than 50 pounds; traveling by airplane. Implement safe restraints of youth involved in physical confrontation situations.
COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:
The position requires talking to co-workers, clients, vendors; requires written communication to and from co-workers, clients, vendor; talking on the telephones; requires responding to written or verbal requests of co-workers, clients, and vendors; requires training/giving verbal and written instructions; requires receiving verbal and written instructions; requires writing/composing written language; requires reading; requires visiting/working at other worksites; requires communication via the latest technologies. Implement safe restraints of youth involved in physical confrontation situations.
SKILLS/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:
Prioritize multiple work tasks to meet tight deadlines
EQUIPMENT NEEDS:
Use office equipment such as computers, photocopiers, scanners, calculators, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Most work will be indoors at Family Intervention Services. Attendance at trainings, both in Hawaii and on the mainland, may be required.
