Mission: The Link works with youth and young families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice.

Our 23 programs provide supportive housing, intensive case management services, and skills development to youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness, sex trafficking and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system.

The Link prides itself on its innovative, youth-centered, strengths-based programming for youth and families as well as programs that are co-designed, implemented and overseen by youth.

Position Specifics

• Hiring Salary: $20.00
• Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
• Location: Downtown Minneapolis
• Hours/Days: Mon-Fri, 10:00am-6:00pm
• Application Deadline:  December 20, 2022

BASIC FUNCTION

Youth Specialists are responsible for providing supervision and referrals for youth at the Youth Connection Center (YCC). YCC serves male and female juveniles ages 10-17 that are picked up by law enforcement officers in Minneapolis for curfew, truancy, and other offenses that do not meet the admission criteria of the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center. YCC operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provide services for youth entering the center including supervision, assessments, and case management. The goals of services provided at the Youth Connection Center (YCC) are to interrupt patterns of truancy, curfew violations, and other unlawful behaviors in order to divert youth from further involvement with the juvenile justice system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Supervision of youth

• Supervises youth at YCC
• Ensures YCC is safe and empowering for youth until they can be returned to an appropriate environment
• Collects personal belongings including money, cell phones, and jewelry from youth until they are released to their parent or guardian
• Provides meaningful educational and enriching opportunities for youth
• Ensures security measures are in place and followed
• Arranges for youth to be safely returned to the community

Case Management and Youth Advocacy

• Interviews and assesses clients to determine problems, resource needs and other factors related to case planning, referring them to community bases services when necessary
• Connects clients to community resources and activities
• Provides assistance and support to the families of youth in program
• Connects parents to parent services
• Connects clients to other Link services and volunteers
• Gathers relevant information regarding youth brought to YCC
• Consults with the parents and guardians about decisions regarding the youth
• Reviews violations and laws with parents/guardians regarding offenses that resulted in the youth being brought to YCC
• Makes suggestions and discusses ways that future offenses can be avoided
• Explains rights and responsibilities to youth and parents/guardians
• Notifies parents/guardians about assessments used and informs them of services recommended for youth
• Collaborates with other programs and services to ensure youth and families receive appropriate services
• Sends written information to parents/guardians

Programming

• Develops programming to support youth in positive conflict resolution
• Facilitates groups, activities, and projects for youth while at YCC

Relationships

• Establishes and maintains relationships with referring agencies, community and government agencies, community members, and schools
• Creates safe and supportive relationships with youth and families
• Cooperates with representatives of law enforcement and criminal justice agencies

Reporting

• Keeps updated records of all interactions with youth, families, and any other contacts made on behalf of the clients
• Maintains case files on youth brought to YCC
• Completes shift logs and maintains other appropriate records regarding youth served at YCC

Other

• Assists in providing training, mentoring, direction and development of less experienced staff, interns and volunteers
• Participates in creating and implementing new marketing methods
• Shares resourceful information and resources with co-workers.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preserve the integrity of the programs and agency
• Demonstrate commitment to The Link’s mission and vision, and values of equity, diversity and inclusion
• Support the overall growth of the agency
• Maintain positive and healthy relationship with co-workers and other related parties
• Assist where needed as a team player
• Create a safe, respectful, and healthy atmosphere and environment where everyone can grow and learn
• Participate in special projects as necessary
• Attend all meetings and trainings as required
• Maintain positive and professional interactions with clients, co-workers, and all parties involved
• All other duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• AA degree in related field or equivalent experience working with at-risk youth
• BA preferred
• Knowledge of the community resources and legal system, particularly the juvenile justice system preferred
• Ability to work effectively with and relate to diverse populations
• Computer application proficiency, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Experience with office equipment, such as photocopier, fax, scanner, etc
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Knowledge of a language spoken by Link clients preferred
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to pass a driving and criminal background check

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position works out of the Youth Connection Center in Downtown Minneapolis. The space is open to the public and noise level is low to moderate
• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools or controls as well as visual acuity
• The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 20 pounds

BENEFITS

The Link offers benefits to eligible employees such as medical, dental (The Link covers 100% of the premiums), vision, a generous 401k with employer match, over 2 weeks of PTO in your first year, birthday PTO, two days of volunteer PTO, 11 paid holidays/holiday pay, and more!

OTHER

The Link is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Link complies with laws relating to discrimination against qualified applicants and employees in hiring or in any decision affecting job status or pay, based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, covered veteran status, public assistance status, membership in a local commission, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or other applicable protected classes.

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.