Trauma Specialist

Job Purpose and Reporting Structure:

Under the supervision of the Outreach Drop-In Center Program Manager, the Trauma Specialist provides trauma-informed support to youth who are experiencing housing instability, enabling them to develop their skills, work towards their goals and access services that can meet their needs. The Trauma Specialist supports youth in their healing journey in the Drop-In Center and across Pathfinders programs, with services that include trauma-informed assessments, safety planning, crisis stabilization, non-traditional, short-term, solution-focused mental wellness services, and group facilitation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide trauma-informed support to runaway and homeless youth ages 11-25 in the Drop-In Center and across Pathfinders programs, and in the community.
2. Offer short-term, solution-focused mental wellness services to youth to support in identifying their goals and reducing barriers for them to access basic needs services through developing their regulation, grounding, and coping skills.
3. Guide young people to process their trauma experiences in a safe environment and support to youth to improve their relationships
4. Assess youth and collaborate with them to co-develop plans of care to support them while accessing services. Empower youth by educating them about their options and allowing them to drive their supportive services.
5. Work with youth individually to develop safety plans and to increase grounding, regulation, and coping skills. Support them with reducing triggers to get through their daily tasks.
6. Connect youth with ongoing community mental wellness services, including medication evaluation and management, and other therapy services.
7. Facilitate groups on topics that support mental wellness.
8. Support the Street Outreach and Drop-In Center clients with essential services, including basic needs, crisis stabilization, and front desk support.
9. Provide team case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy services, including service coordination as necessary.  Refer clients to community resources and other organizations, as appropriate.
10. Facilitate program team meetings to support trauma-informed case consultations.
11. Provide technical assistance and leadership on Trauma-Informed Care by supporting staff with education and best practices to not re-traumatize youth.
12. Compile records and prepare reports, including case files and correspondence with client and other mental health and social service providers involved.  Develop, maintain, and submit necessary reports for program evaluation and statistical compilation.  Records must be compliant with all program requirements as well as HIPAA.
13. Participate in outreach speaking engagements and development opportunities. Attend program and agency staff meetings as required.
14. Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise social work/psychology/etc. graduate students and AmeriCorps volunteers as necessary

Qualification Requirements:

Master’s degree in social work, educational psychology, counseling, or psychology and two years’ experience working with families or youth preferred. Candidates with comparable. Work-related experiences will be considered.

Additional Information

$41,000 – $46,000   Bachelor’s Degree,  $48,000 – $52,000   Master’s Degree ,  +$1,000 State certified/licensed/3,000 hours.