Human Trafficking Support (HTS) Youth Specialist
Position Description: AAU provides victim services to survivors of all forms of human trafficking. The position of Youth Specialist is specifically housed within the Human Trafficking Support (HTS) program’s services targeting minor survivors of trafficking. The Youth Specialist is responsible for assisting and being an advocate for youth human trafficking clients (through age 23). The Specialist assists trafficking victims in achieving their goals, which may include increased autonomy and self-sufficiency, and increased feelings of safety and well-being.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Coordinate with state agencies and youth-serving organizations to develop and support systems to serve minor and youth survivors of human trafficking.
- Work closely with state agencies and outreach partners to identify and engage youth at high risk of current, previous, or future human trafficking victimization.
- Carry a caseload of youth survivors of trafficking; build strong case management relationships with clients with a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach.
- Work with clients to assess their needs and strengths by taking a victim-centered approach to identifying the most pressing client needs.
- Help clients set their own goals by developing individualized service plans, and giving survivors the opportunity to make informed decisions about the support they need in order to accomplish their goals.
- Connect clients to community resources and work in collaboration with community service providers to expedite services for clients, and to provide insight to victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches to dealing with clients of human trafficking.
- Monitor services by routinely checking in and meeting with clients to make sure the plan of action is effective.
- Facilitate prevention and support groups for youth survivors of human trafficking at AAU and other key locations in the community.
- Coordinate the outreach, logistics and data collection for prevention and support groups.
- Assist with youth-focused training curriculum development and provide presentations and conduct other public relations activities.
- Provide supportive services to enrolled clients, and individuals at high risk of being trafficked/have been trafficked at the drop-in center, a minimum of two times per month.
- Provide crisis intervention services during business hours to trafficking victims, as needed.
- Represent HTS department at youth related meetings in the community.
- Participate in the UTIP Task Force General Body and/or subcommittees.
- Comply with all record keeping (i.e. case notes, client forms, etc.) requirements
- Attend and participate in agency staff meetings and trainings
- Report to work on time as scheduled; with a mandatory 30-minute lunch period.
- Perform other tasks as identified and assigned; this may include but not limited to general HTS case management, outreach and education activities, and interpreting and translating.
- Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred and/or equivalent work experience in human services field
- Ideal candidate would have Social Service Worker (SSW) license with knowledge/familiarity of working with victims of human trafficking, and youth populations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle multiple priorities
- Demonstrate empathy and utilize trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches to services
- Must have strong client service and human service skills
- Must have the ability to work under conditions requiring flexibility and team member response to crisis.
- High tolerance and respect for individual survival strategies while promoting ever-increasing healthier choices.
- Demonstrated appropriate decisiveness and creative problem-solving when making decisions regarding next steps for cases
- Ability to follow directions, manage time, work well under pressure, and maintain composure during stressful situations
- Access to a personal vehicle, proof of valid driver’s license, auto insurance, current registration, good driving record and pass a background check is required. Must pass a background check.
- Disclosure and/or non-disclosure of lived experience of human trafficking are acceptable for position consideration.
- Preference given to candidates with Spanish/English fluency
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
Experience:
- youth services: 2 years (Preferred)
- Training & Outreach: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
Work Location: In person