Intervention Specialist - SF Justice Initiative

HOURS: 9-5pm (w/ flexibility for school, program/agency & community events) 
STATUS/SCHEDULE:   Non-Exempt Union/FT (40 Hrs/wk) 
SUPERVISOR:  SF Justice Initiative Program Manager

AGENCY DESCRIPTION: 

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: 

The SF Justice Initiative is a multi-pronged strategy to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline for middle schoolers by supporting them in their schools and preventing them from entering the juvenile delinquency system. This initiative will disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by: Establishing a parent-based coalition to hold SFUSD accountable for its treatment of middle school students, and to advocate for policies that support students—especially students of color and students with disabilities—in school and outside of the juvenile justice system; Building the capacity of youth and families by offering support and guidance to families navigating school discipline or special education issues; Empowering youth and families to advocate for systemic change by supporting youth leadership development and developing demands for public investment in preventive and early intervention services for middle school students at risk of being pushed out of their schools; Ensuring legal representation for young people and families in school disciplinary proceedings, special education advocacy and related issues including school enrollment, regional center eligibility and service provision, and other civil legal needs in order to improve the likelihood that students and families can thrive; Providing robust school-based support to students facing behavioral and attendance challenges at multiple middle schools with high suspension rates, including case management, therapy, and mentoring. This initiative includes a collaborative partnership with Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, Young Community Developers(YCD), Legal Services for Children, Disability Rights California, and Youth Law Center.

The role of the Intervention Specialist (IS) will be to provide mentorship, care management, advocacy, and support to middle school youth who experience truancy, behavioral, and/or disciplinary issues in select schools with historically high rates of suspension. Huckleberry’s comprehensive programming will include: academic support, social emotional learning/development (SEL/D) activities, counseling, case management, regular family engagement, and field trips for program-intensive participants. Huckleberry will also provide lower-touch support to a wider range of middle school students, including tabling and prevention education workshops to increase student wellbeing. All activities are designed using restorative and transformative justice best practices to help youth build and strengthen the knowledge, tools, and skills they need to feel a sense of belonging, reconnect to school and community support, boost academics, and reduce instances of disciplinary action at school. The Intervention Specialist will act as a bridge between the initiative partners, the youth, their family, community and the school partner sites. They must be able to work within a collaborative process, include families in services, and negotiate successfully with multidisciplinary systems such as middle and high schools.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: