Justice Navigator (Case Manager)

Huckleberry Youth Programs (HYP) is a critical provider of essential safety net services for high-needs youth and their families in San Francisco and Marin County. For over 50 years, HYP has developed and maintained prevention programs that promote the health and leadership of youth, and, as a result divert youth from violence, crime and gang involvement, as well as other harmful behaviors, including running away, drug/alcohol abuse, risky sexual activities, and involvement in the juvenile justice systems. HYP employs approximately 75 employees and operates on a $9 million annual budget. We offer excellent employee benefits, including full medical/dental/vision/acupuncture and chiropractic coverage and generous vacation time. For more information about our various programs please go to our website at www.huckleberryyouth.org.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Huckleberry Youth Programs is seeking a Justice Navigator for San Francisco’s Community Assessment & Referral Center (SFCARC). SFCARC has been in existence for 25yrs, navigating from the center of juvenile justice reform & transformation in San Francisco. SFCARC is in an integral moment of time within the justice field in that it will be expanding operating hours & services to be able to support more youth at the point of arrest for all misdemeanors & felonies. SFCARC is a community-based diversion program, single point of entry for crisis intervention, intake/assessment, service integration and referrals back to the community of arrested & detained youth. The ultimate goal of SFCARC is to assess the needs of young people who come in contact with police, connect them and their families to needed services or support, hold the youth accountable for their actions via restorative justice practices and to prevent re-arrests.

This position will be a core member of the community-based collaborative response to youth ages 12-18 who have been cited/arrested by law enforcement in San Francisco. In this newer juvenile justice model, youth will be assessed by SFCARC and connected to a Justice Services Care Coordinator (JSCC) for ongoing case management and additional service linkages from agencies including: Bay Area Community Resources (BACR); Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ); Mission Neighborhood Centers (MNC); Sunset Youth Services (SYS); and Young Community Developers (YCD). SF CARC also subcontracts with Instituto Familiar de la Raza (IFR) and Community Youth Center (CYC) to directly connect youth to unique culturally responsive services.

We ensure that youth working with SFCARC receive caring and professional care management services; assist youth and their families & JSCC providers when applicable with the implementation of recommended care plans so they are able to re-focus their attention into positive and productive behaviors and choices. The Justice Navigators must be able to work within a collaborative process and negotiate successfully with multidisciplinary systems. This position is primarily in-person on site at our center, in the community & at the Juvenile Justice Center. There may be opportunities for occasional remote work. As of now SFCARC operates Monday-Friday 9am-10pm. In the new year, SFCARC will be expanding hours to Monday-Saturday 10am-midnight and this position will work Tuesday - Saturday, 4 p.m. through midnight.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Complete intake & assessments with youth that are arrested by law enforcement at SFCARC and the Juvenile Justice Center
• Coordinate and attend a “warm handoff” referral to JSCC providers in a 24-72 hr time frame when needed
• Provide system navigation, service connection and coordination with the 5 JSCC providers in 24-72 hr time frame and ongoing as needed
• Engage with youth at SFCARC center, in the community and those who are booked at JJC
• In collaboration with youth, their families and the JSCC providers or other community-based agencies to create accountability plans, using Restorative Justice practices
• Complete shift change documentation and communicate relevant information amongst team in a timely manner
• Utilize healing-centered, trauma-informed practices, restorative justice, holistic and youth development practices
• Engage & build rapport with youth at SFCARC, in the community and those who are detained at the Juvenile Justice Center
• Attend all program specific and agency required meetings that may be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually
• Maintain a fluid caseload and consistent electronic documentation of contacts with youth, their families and community partners
• Coordinate & support agreements monitoring & completion of youth eligible for accountability planning at SFCARC when needed
• Collaborate with youth, their family members/legal guardians, and JSCC providers to ensure successful navigation of the juvenile justice system
• Build and maintain relationships & a network among the 5 JSCC community based organizations and other community resources in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Participate in field trips, restorative justice circles and or other activities for youth and their families as needed
• Support with documentation specifically for: the DCYF monthly upload, electronic communication of arrest data from the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (Day List & On Duty Call Log), appointments calendar, and other shared data components that support SFCARC program.
• Manage clear and timely communication with systems partners such as community-based organizations, SFUSD, Public Defender’s Office/Defense attorney’s, the Juvenile Probation Department, the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, etc.
• Enter documentation and maintain files in a timely & organized manner in the Salesforce, CMS databases or other data tracking systems
• Be effective in completing documentation, organization & communication regarding SFCARC’s appointment based system, arrest tracking, shift changes, contacting youth, parents/guardians or providers; team calendars and other tools that supports efficient programming
• Participate & engage in personal & professional development trainings focused on best practices in diversion, youth development and more
• Support the team with administrative responsibilities as needed such as reception, filing, organizing supplies, office cleaning, etc.
• Other assigned duties as needed to run effective programming

COMPETENCIES:

1. Maintain an awareness of the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies
2. Strong commitment to the well-being of youth, social justice, and a positive youth development approach
3. Excellent collaborator who is adaptable and is committed to open communication
4. Ability to work and advocate in a collaborative process and navigate various systems
5. Resourceful in system collaboration & navigation
6. Knowledge of community-based agencies serving young people in the San Francisco Bay Area

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position primarily works out of our center located at 44 Gough St. in San Francisco. The role also requires providing services at the Juvenile Justice Center (including juvenile hall), community based organizations, other Huckleberry programs and in the community. This role routinely includes driving and transporting youth. The position also includes the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The office is located in the Hayes Valley/Civic Center neighborhoods of San Francisco and is accessible by public transportation but also has a parking lot for staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This role requires the ability to talk, hear and sit, to drive your personal and agency vehicles, to be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds unassisted.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Bilingual capability(Spanish & English), stipend provided
2. Bachelor’s degree in social work, human/social services, criminal justice or related fields and/or a minimum 1-3 yrs previous experience working with youth, families and case management intervention strategies or other highly qualified interventions with adolescents.
3. Prior experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds using a youth development approach.
4. Committed to managing multiple projects/tasks, working independently as well as being able to work cohesively in a culturally diverse team environment.
5. Willing & able to work & partner with law enforcement representatives on a regular basis.
6. Excellent critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication skills, & organization.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Thorough knowledge of community-based agencies serving adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area.
2. Ability to work in a crisis, fast-paced and collaborative environment.
3. Effective in being mobile to provide services in multiple locations.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

1. TB clearance
2. Valid CA driver’s license, clear DMV record, and reliable transportation.
3. Two years driving experience
4. Fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

1. Must pass the DOJ/FBI background check.

Due to our requirements with licensing, candidates with backgrounds including items on this non-exemptible crimes list will not be eligible for exemption at this time.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Huckleberry Youth Programs is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal opportunity to its employees and applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of race; color; ethnic background; religion; gender; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation; national origin; ancestry; age; marital status; pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition; disability, including HIV- related conditions; or status as a covered veteran. This policy applies to every aspect of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, advancement, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, compensation, benefits, training and working conditions.

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