Youth specialist Jobs in Portland, OR

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

NAYA Family Center is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Youth Housing Advocate to join our Youth & Education Services team. In this role, you will work directly with Native American and Alaska Native youth (ages 15–24) who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Your primary focus will be to provide support, advocacy, and resources to help these young individuals achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency.

This position is primarily direct service (80%), with the remaining time dedicated to administrative tasks and service coordination. You will collaborate with other NAYA programs and community partners to ensure comprehensive support for the youth you serve.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees (with affordable options for family members), a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match, paid vacation, and 16 paid holidays.

This is a full-time role with work hours of 9 am to 6 pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch. Some evening and weekend work may be required based on project needs. Once training and onboarding are complete, there may be flexibility to work from home 1-2 days a week with supervisor approval.

The pay range for this position is $22-25 per hour.

Who You Are

• Ideally, you have lived or professional experience working with diverse populations, particularly within Native American communities.
• You have experience working with youth, particularly those facing housing instability.
• You are knowledgeable about local resources and services available to homeless youth.
• You are passionate about empowering youth and supporting their journey toward independence and stability.
• You are organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• You are adaptable and able to work effectively in a dynamic and sometimes challenging environment.
• You are committed to trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and culturally responsive services.
• You communicate effectively across diverse backgrounds and build relationships grounded in respect and empathy.
• You are flexible, adaptable, and able to remain steady and responsive in high-stress situations.
• You are a collaborative team member, comfortable working across agencies and programs to deliver wraparound services.
• You maintain thorough, timely, and accurate documentation in line with agency and funder requirements.
• You demonstrate self-awareness, listening deeply, centering others, and taking accountability for your actions.
• You are consistently punctual, reliable, and dependable in support of your team and clients.
• You are proficient in computer skills, including web-based research, word processing, MS Excel, and email.

What You'll Do

Application Instructions Providing a cover letter helps us best understand your interest in the role, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.

Questions? Want to chat about this role before you decide to apply? Contact Cheyenna Kimbol, Youth Housing Manager, or the HR team.

NAYA is committed to building a work environment that respects and inspires every community member. Our mission is to serve Urban Native youth and families, so we strongly encourage members of the Native community to apply. We encourage applications from members of other historically marginalized groups, as well, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who have served in the military.

Requirements :