Residential Associate (Full-time)

Department: Youth Prevention & Intervention Status: Regular, full-time, non-exempt Location: Casa Nuestra, Chula Vista Number of Openings: 1

About the Organization: SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) transforms communities to support the well-being and prosperity of children, youth, and families. For more than 50 years, SBCS has worked throughout San Diego to provide safe shelter, transitional housing, intervention prevention programs, mental health support, and many other services. With 470 employees and volunteers and an annual budget of $68 million, SBCS serves all of San Diego County.

Program Overview: Casa Nuestra is an emergency shelter for youth with justice or child welfare contact, or at risk of homelessness. It provides temporary housing to avoid detention while awaiting more permanent housing, placement, or reunification with parents/guardians after a crisis event. The program serves youth ages 12-17 who have been arrested and/or referred to San Diego County's Alternatives to Detention (ATD), Community Assessment Team/Juvenile Diversion (CAT/JD), or are homeless youth referred by community entities or youth on Probation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Under direct supervision of the Program Coordinator and Director, the Residential Associate supervises and cares for youth residing at Casa Nuestra during evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts. Key responsibilities include:

• Provide supervision, support, and respond to after-hours needs of residents ages 12-17
• Maintain a positive, therapeutic housing/shelter environment
• Implement planned schedules and ensure house rules are upheld
• Respond to medical and mental health emergencies through crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Manage and distribute self-administered medication following proper protocols
• Build rapport with clients through professional behavior and positive role modeling
• Explain program requirements and ensure compliance
• Monitor youth behavior and program guideline adherence
• Prepare and maintain shelter beds and sleeping arrangements
• Ensure facility security and prevent unauthorized persons on property
• Maintain facilities and equipment
• Complete required training, meetings, and documentation
• Conduct overnight bed checks (minimum twice per shift) and document findings
• Prepare meals and maintain a clean, sanitized environment

Requirements: Must have at least one of the following:

• One year of full-time paid or volunteer experience working with at-risk youth ages 14-17; OR
• A minimum of 2 years working in a group home for children or youth; OR
• At least 15 college semester or equivalent quarter units in behavioral science, including 9 units in children-related courses (Correctional, Social Work, Psychological, Human Development, or Social Work fields)

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.

Additional Requirements:

• Effective communication and listening skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Excellent customer service skills
• Professional demeanor and strong role model capability
• Personable and friendly personality
• Ability to work with diverse populations with cultural sensitivity
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients
• Reliable transportation

Conditions of Employment: Employment conditioned upon satisfactory completion of background clearances including Department of Justice criminal background check (Live Scan fingerprints), Probation clearances, Community Care Licensing clearances, Child Abuse Central Index Check (CACI), National Sex Offender Public Website screening, physical exam, drug test, tuberculosis (TB) test, and immunizations (TDAP, MMR, Influenza).

Benefits: Competitive pay and benefits for full-time employees, including generous vacation time, holidays, health, vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, discount programs, public service loan forgiveness, and an excellent retirement plan with matching contributions.