Yellow Brick Road of WA - Youth Outcomes Manager

Position Summary:

Using the Built for Zero “By Name List” model, this position is responsible for ensuring the success of two interrelated processes – managing all relevant data streams and data reporting related to the Youth By Name List (YBNL), and leading community case conferencing for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Clark County.  Both processes are aimed at decreasing barriers to housing and increasing positive exits to housing.  These processes are part of a bigger community project called the Anchor Community Initiative (ACI), which has the overarching goal of functionally ending youth and young adult homelessness.  As part of the ACI leadership and core teams, there will be a great deal of coordination with community partners in Clark County and across Washington State.  As part of the Yellow Brick Road outreach team, the Youth Outcomes Manager will also regularly participate in direct service provision at The Perch drop-in center and assist with community outreach events.     

Education and Experience Requirements:

Any combination of education, experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying.  This would typically include:

• Bachelor’s degree in a social science or human services field (preferred but not required).
• Minimum of three years’ experience working with programs or services that support young people or marginalized groups.
• Experience with data entry and/or data quality assurance required; experience with HMIS preferred.
• Experience reading and interpreting contract expectations.
• Experience leading and organizing group projects and/or meetings.
• Knowledge of local service systems.
• Preference may be extended to current employees of Janus Youth Programs, Inc.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Genuine concern for young people and the ability to treat all people with dignity and respect. 
• Ability to work effectively within: culturally diverse populations; team dependent models; crisis management; strength-based theoretical orientation; adolescent development; and family reunification. 
• Openness to learning and commitment to the principles of Positive Youth Development, Trauma Informed Care, and Harm Reduction. 
• Strong active listening and critical thinking skills, including the ability to utilize Motivational Interviewing and Progressive Engagement models in working with young people experiencing homelessness. 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team-dependent management process, and to provide leadership and support in a manner that models motivation, inspiration, and respect.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with a variety of individuals, including management staff, direct care staff, administrative staff, community partners, and youth.
• A commitment to on-going training and a willingness to receive and act upon feedback.
• Ability to accurately read, record, and interpret contracts and other information, and to complete written documentation that meets contract and program guidelines.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including youth, families, staff, supervisors, and community partners.
• Ability to stay calm and emotionally available in an environment serving young people who require a high level of supervision and redirection from staff.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries working with youth and in handling confidential information. 
• Manual dexterity allowing performance of routine office tasks such as writing, phone use, filing, copying, and use of computer keyboard.

Other Requirements:

• Personal transportation allowing for timely travel within the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. All employees who drive for work purposes must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for state of residency, have a driving record that permits coverage under the corporate auto liability policy, and complete the agency’s driving approval process before driving for work. If driving a personal vehicle for work purposes drivers must also have personal auto liability coverage ($100,000/$300,000 levels strongly recommended). Employees are not to drive for work purposes until they have received written authorization to do so.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training is required on first day of employment and annually thereafter.
• Must complete Mandatory Reporting Training within the first 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.
• Provides emergency first-aid, as needed, and must have and maintain standard first-aid/CPR certification.
• Must pass Washington DCYF Child Abuse and Neglect background check and criminal history background check.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Youth By Name List (YBNL) Management
  
  • Using the Built for Zero approach, manage the Clark County Youth By Name List (YBNL) with the goal of quickly identifying youth experiencing homelessness in the community and moving them into permanent housing.
  • Maintain a focus on improving service delivery to historically underserved communities in Clark County, including but not limited to Native American, Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x, Black/African American, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, and any other underrepresented communities of color.   
  • Facilitate ongoing YBNL Workgroup meetings that will meet twice per month.  The goal of this workgroup is to bring relevant community partners together to most effectively respond to the needs of youth enrolled in the YBNL, and to reduce or eliminate barriers to housing.
  • Work in concert with all participants in the Anchor Community Initiative (ACI) to bridge efforts between the YBNL, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), and any other identified groups supporting ACI efforts. 
• Data Management
  
  • With a focus on reducing inefficiencies and unnecessary paperwork, compare data collection procedures to contract requirements for shelter and outreach programs in Clark County.
  • Regularly review data collection processes and procedures to ensure ongoing efficiency and continuity between programs.
  • Attend regular Clark County HMIS Data Users Workgroup meetings and HMIS System Performance Workgroup meetings.
  • Provide training and support to case managers and direct care staff as needed to ensure accurate data entry.
  • Regularly review data outcomes for youth enrolled in the YBNL and assess supports necessary to improve those data outcomes.
• Outreach
  
  • Explore the most effective ways to connect with youth who could benefit from enrollment in the YBNL.  This may include participating in street outreach with Janus’ YBRW outreach teams or other community-based outreach teams.  
  • Promote the use of Coordinated Entry assessments to individuals experiencing homelessness, and work closely with the Housing Solutions Center to reduce the incidence of unsheltered homelessness.
  • Participate in community-based outreach efforts through networking, tabling events, attending relevant community meetings, connecting with schools or other learning institutions, and presenting information about Janus’ services to groups who may encounter youth experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
  • Directly assist youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or unstable housing with housing applications, connection to coordinated entry housing assessments, and/or diversion funding.  
• Meetings & Supervision
  
  • Participate in monthly supervision meetings with the Washington Services Program Director.
  • Participate in periodic leadership team meetings.
  • As available and appropriate, attend scheduled staff meetings for shelter and outreach programs.
  • Attend relevant community meetings as a representative of Janus’ Washington Services.  Share information from community meetings with program supervisors, case managers, and direct care staff as applicable. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• May involve exposure to communicable diseases, including a variety of illnesses and infections such as the common cold, TB, Hepatitis, flu, meningitis, and HIV.
• May involve exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized or emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, adults, and families.
• May involve time in excess of routine schedule and/or overtime, including evening/overnight, weekend hours, and/or holidays.
• May involve exposure to information that graphically describes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of children, which could lead to the experience of vicarious trauma. 
• May require working and providing services at locations other than program site (i.e., schools, café’s, clinics, etc.) and may, therefore, be exposed to environments not under agency control (i.e., second-hand smoke, varying hygiene practices, etc.).

This position description is intended to give the reader a general idea of the overall purpose and the main activities and responsibilities that are intrinsic to this position. While this description is intended to be representative, it is not intended to be limiting.