Access Point Specialist

Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has helped more than 75,000 young adults in San Francisco with outreach, shelter, housing, education, employment, healthcare, and other services.

Today, Larkin Street Youth Services is the largest provider of housing and services to homeless youth in the Bay Area. We serve 1,500 youth annually, operating or partnering to provide more than 500 emergency shelter, transitional, supportive, and subsidy-based housing beds at several unique sites across San Francisco.

Working at Larkin Street, no matter what department, means making a real difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. Our team is skilled, diverse, and passionate. Our culture encourages achievement and professional development, as well as teamwork and self-care. Our focus is always on the young people at the heart of our mission and to nurture potential, promote dignity and support bold steps by all.

For more information about us, visit www.larkinstreetyouth.org.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the primary role of the Access Point Specialist is to provide comprehensive strength-based intensive services to homeless and/or marginally housed transitional aged youth who come through Larkin Street Youth Access Point. The Coordinated Entry Specialist will provide support to youth by accessing eligibility for all TAY Navigation / Access Point services. The services under this scope of work are Problem Solving, Emergency Housing Vouchers, Emergency Hotel Vouchers, and referral services to interior / exterior service providers. Services are provided by utilizing comprehensive evaluations and assessments that are trauma-informed and assess bio-psychosocial, emotional, educational, vocational, and functional needs of young people seeking housing services.

This is a full-time position, eligible for full benefits.

Your responsibilities:

• Intake and assessment; direct service linkage and referral; works closely with community behavioral health providers and internal personal service teams to ensure coordinated and effective services.
• Works closely with community behavioral health providers and internal personal service teams to ensure coordinated and effective services to help resolve their episode of homelessness. 
• Provides an intensive array of services and support, including housing and basic needs assistance, physical health care, benefits assistance, enrollment in Larkin Street Academy, and referral to integrated mental health services. 
• Maintains accurate, timely notes and documentation of all client interactions in agency and city databases.
• Adheres to laws regarding confidentiality and reporting requirements and maintains necessary compliance documentation.
• Uses motivational interviewing, stages of change, harm reduction, and other approaches, to build rapport with TAY and help them resolve their homelessness.
• Collaborates with fellow staff members and established community partners, including property managers and property owners.
• Submit accurate and timely invoices and receipts for all housing related expenses. 
• Maintains accurate records of all client expenses paid by the program.
• Provides coverage for program/site staff and performs duties in the milieu which may include desk coverage, cooking, and cleaning.
• Provides transportation and accompaniment to client appointments in the community as needed.
• Follow-up contact and documentation of assigned aftercare clients during transitions from residential program.
• Responsible for supporting program services within the milieu.  For example, crisis intervention or helping to maintain the safety of the program.
• Responsible for contributing towards the care and welfare of staff and to the clients we serve.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Working Location:

• ECC - Drop-In Center
  • Location: The Engagement and Community Center (ECC), 134 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA
  • Hours: 9AM to 5PM OR 10AM to 6PM, depending on site needs. 
  • Working Days: Monday through Friday

WHO YOU ARE:

• You are passionate about the Larkin Street Youth Services mission to end youth homelessness.
• You embody our values and core strategies: "This Is How We Roll":
  • Client-Centered
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Restorative Practices
  • Harm Reduction
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
  • Motivational Interviewing
• You have some direct-services, social service experience.
  • *BONUS* You have experience working in drop-in services, shelter, transitional, and/or permanent supportive housing programs.
• You are most excited to serve Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), aged 18 to 25 of diverse backgrounds.
• You are a self-starter and team player. Your colleagues describe you as compassionate, dependable, and patient.
• You work best in an on site, in person working environment. This role is 100% onsite/in person.
• You are willing to work holidays occasionally.
• You hold a valid driver's license. 
• You are vaccinated against COVID 19.

THE PERKS:

• Hourly Rate: $25.00-$26.37 per hour
  • +$1.50 for bilingual incentive pay. Must be fluent in Spanish and English.
• Choice of Kaiser and Sutter medical plans, plus dental and vision.
• Generous 3 weeks of vacation annually, plus 11 Paid Holidays and 3 Floating Holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Flexible spending accounts for Healthcare and Dependent Care expenses.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling services.
• Health Advocate Service.
• Commuter Benefits Program.
• Paid Sabbatical following 5 and 10 years of employment.

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with an interest in the non-profit sector. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified. 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.