Urban Servant Corps (USC) is a full-time service year program in Denver, CO. Volunteers live together in the heart of the city, practicing service, simplicity, spirituality and intentional community. Under the supervision of a member of the leadership team, the Life Skills Manager will be responsible for providing direct supervision of youth at a Denver shelter and/or housing programs. This includes assisting youth in increasing self-efficacy and reducing risky behavior, ensuring client safety, providing delivery of appropriate and effective program services and maintaining a safe and positive environment. Duties include supervision of youth in accordance with facility rules and regulations, crisis intervention, facilities maintenance, group facilitation, promotion of a therapeutic environment, accurate, timely and consistent data collection, and data entry. This position will ensure that interactions, interventions and environments at Urban Peak are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.
Service Activities
Documentation:
Accurately document admission record and record actual services received by clients or tenants.
Collect and maintain accurate data on an ongoing basis.
Document relevant and significant events that occur during the shift in the Communication Log
Maintain clear and effective communication with other staff regarding clients or tenants.
Limited case management responsibilities will require maintenance of thorough and accurate files.
Work to ensure confidentiality.
In additional to being responsible for the general work duties listed above, the Life Skills Manager in the Shelter program may also:
Youth Supervision:
Provide milieu supervision and work to ensure the safety of the youth and their environment.
Assure that youth maintain cleanliness of the shelter environment.
Provide direction and support to youth on the completion of daily chores and other milieu activities.
Maintain a welcoming presence; and support youth who come into the shelter.
Assessments:
Collect and record necessary intake information to reflect the needs of clients.
Assess appropriateness of client admission to shelter and forward data to intake supervisor for additional follow-up.
Case Management:
Facilitate group activities and discussions.
A limited caseload may be assigned to this position as the primary case manager (provided that the Counselor has the appropriate credentials)
Additional case management meetings may be required.
Crisis Intervention:
Crisis intervention with current clients
Crisis intervention phone counseling, as needed.
Community Need Addressed
Increased number of unhoused people in the Denver metro area, including youth and young adults who faces numerous barriers due to their age and there are fewer resources to meet the needs of this age demographic.
Position Outcomes
Provide a safe and age-appropriate environment in which guests can have access to case management and other supportive services that will lead to an increase in self-efficacy and reduce barriers to necessary resources.
Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Volunteers receive a food stipend, a personal stipend, and have an individual bedroom in a large Denver community home. The community house includes Wi-Fi, trash service and heating. USC offers volunteers who complete a successful year of service a $1,000.00 readjustment allowance at the end of the year to be used at the volunteer's discretion and $2,000.00 towards student loan debt reduction with the option to apply for a total of up to $7,000.00 towards student loan debt reduction. During a year of service, USC also offers each volunteer a $300.00 professional growth and development fund, a $500.00 medical fund (prescriptions, counseling, office visit co-pay, etc.), bikes to use or a bus pass for service sites that are more than two miles from the volunteer community house, spiritual direction, if desired, and 10 days of vacation time. Volunteers who experience menstruation will also receive an additional stipend to purchase necessary products. The community will also experience two retreat weekends and a trip to the U.S./Mexico border.
Education Benefits
College Degree, GED/High School Diploma
Skills you will gain
Time keeping and prioritization of tasks, understanding of social support systems and how to access to local and state resources, conflict management and de-escalation skills, first aid/CPR, certification to dispense medications, communication skills, rapport building, establishing professional boundaries, self-care.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment