Overview

The Connection & Engagement Manager is responsible for supporting active engagement of VOA clients in agency services and proving opportunities for meaningful connections with staff, peers, and the broader community. This position will provide supervision and leadership for an interdisciplinary team that conducts community outreach, crisis response services, positive recreational activities, treatment transition support and treatment discharge planning.

VOA Alaska is a youth-serving organization providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports to youth and families struggling with mental illness and addiction. We are honored to walk with families during these times and provide support and hope through recovery. Our core values are connection, responsibility, courage, innovation, hope, and joy. We are looking for individuals who espouse these core values and align with this mission of services to the community.

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Planning and oversight of outreach and youth engagement activities provided by the Peer Support Specialists, Coalition Coordinator, and Program Director.
• Supports the Director and VOA programs by maintaining good, collaborative relationships with other health providers, youth-serving organizations, and community-based organizations, to ensure strong networks for support for youth.
• Collects qualitative and quantitative data to monitor and support successful transitions along the continuum of care at VOA Alaska.
• Demonstrates commitment to quality improvement activities across the continuum of care.
• Participates as an active member of the Anchorage Adolescent Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition and attends additional stakeholder gatherings as needed.
• Ensures the delivery of positive youth engagement activities no less than once per month.
• Creates and promotes opportunities for positive and open communication between program staff, clients, parents, and community partners.
• Supervises Peer Support Specialists in the Access & Engagement team and facilitates routine learning and support opportunities for Peer Support Specialists agency wide.
• Participates in and applies knowledge learned in Positive Youth Development, the Transition to Independence Model (TIP) and Trauma Informed Care training.
• Provides TIP and Peer Support Trainings for VOA employees and other partners as requested.
• Collects and submits program data quarterly, in compliance with local, state, and federal grant reporting guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 
  Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field preferred. Some formal education may be substituted with experience in substance abuse, mental health, social work, human services, or counseling.
• Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience.
• Peer Support Specialist certified or working towards.
• Experience working with diverse populations and ability to speak a second language preferred.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on information available.
• Strong organizational skills and communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours (including evenings, and possibly weekends).
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must have or acquire and maintain a current CPR/First Aid certification.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Acknowledgement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform. The omission of specific descriptions of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or can be considered essential to this position.