Youth Partner Navigator (Oahu, Part-time)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Partner Navigator supports transition-age youth who are currently or formerly in foster care to access the resources, services, and supports they need to reach their goals and navigate adulthood. Working alongside the Youth Partner, the YP Navigator helps youth overcome barriers, navigate eligibility requirements and service systems, obtain vital documents, and connect to both immediate and sustainable long-term resources. The YP Navigator also helps identify appropriate uses of flex funds to address immediate needs that may prevent youth from accessing or maintaining essential supports.

The Youth Partner Navigator must demonstrate an active commitment to the EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. mission and vision, and to strive to incorporate EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc.’s values1 in all aspects of daily work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Connect youth to community resources, services, benefits, and supports related to housing, education, employment, and other areas important to their goals. This may include providing transportation for youth or meeting them at the community site.
• Work alongside Youth Partners to identify and address barriers that may prevent youth from accessing or maintaining needed resources.
• Help youth navigate eligibility requirements, applications, referrals, and other processes required to access services.
• Support youth in obtaining vital documents, including birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other records needed to access services and opportunities.
• Help youth to understand and navigate systems and programs that support their transition from foster care to adulthood.
• Identify immediate needs and collaborate with the Youth Partner and YP Manager to determine when flex funds may be appropriate to address barriers such as transportation, documentation fees, or other urgent needs.
• Support youth in connecting to sustainable, long-term resources that can continue beyond temporary or flexible funding,
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources, eligibility requirements, and programs available to transition-age youth.
• Collaborate with Youth Partners, EPIC `Ohana staff, and community providers to coordinate resources and strengthen support for youth.
• Responsible for inputting case notes, intake information, and case closure notes for all inquiries.
• General office work as needed (filing, phone calls, database work, faxing and typing).

OTHER DUTIES/FUNCTIONS

• Perform other related duties, as required and assigned.
• Regular attendance, required. 
• Responsible for awareness and adherence to all company and safety policies and procedures. 
• Attend and participate at trainings, all staff meetings, and individual supervision, as scheduled. 
• Recommend improvements and/or enhancements of job processes and work environment to ensure high quality levels of service deliverables. 
• Addresses appropriate needs with supervisor and/or manager.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work Hours: Normal hours for the EPIC office are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Employees may start as early as 7:00 a.m. or as late as 9:00 a.m.  The end time for an employee’s work shift will be based on the employee’s designated start time.
• Must be flexible with work schedule, pending the need to deliver services outside the normal work shift. Hours may include weekend and evening hours. 
• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• The physical exertion is moderate.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Must be proficient with computer use, including word processing, spreadsheets, map reading, email, and database usage. 
• Maintain a moderate working knowledge of computers for data entry. 
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS

Mental Demands

• Must be self-directed, organized, and able to work independently.
• Must have excellent problem solving skills.
• Must work well under the pressure of meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have strong writing skills and be able to write clearly and accurately.
• Must have the willingness to be flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to support diversity in the workplace and serve a diverse population.
• Must be able to comprehend complex information such as social work reports and court documents.
• Must be approachable, non-judgmental, organized, and have a strength-based view of youth and families.
• Must be emotionally mature, objective, and support of people and their problems.
• Must have the ability to nurture and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, including the ability to engage family members from diverse communities.
• Must have the ability to work cooperatively with representatives of other agencies.
• Must have an attitude of continual learning.
• Must be able to synthesize and summarize complex information in ways that are understandable to family members and professionals.

Communication Demands

• Must have the ability to speak and write clearly.
• Must have a direct yet sensitive communication style.
• Must have strong communication skills and a strong ability to support and engage positively with community providers, professionals, social workers, service providers, and families.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a high school diploma.
• A minimum of one (1) year related experience and/or training.
• Ability to manage time well and work independently.
• Must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook. 
• Must maintain an ethical, responsible and professional attitude and demeanor under all circumstances at all times. 
• Team player with a positive attitude and the ability to interact with all levels of the organization. 
• Committed to quality and performance improvement. 
• Successful criminal and child abuse and neglect background clearance as required by state regulations for those who work with children and families in the Child Welfare System. 
• Valid driver’s license, no-fault automobile insurance, acceptable motor vehicle abstract2, and access to an insured, reliable vehicle is needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Lived experience as a youth in a complex, youth serving systems, particularly in child welfare, preferred.
• Prior youth advocacy experience desirable.

PAY 

• $19 to $21 per hour, commensurate with experience

BENEFITS

• Company-paid employee medical insurance
• Company-paid employee dental insurance
• Optional dependant coverage (employee paid)
• Comany-paid employee group life insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 13 Company Holidays a Year
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account
• AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance