Position Title: Queer Youth Services Coordinator
Program: Queer Youth Services
Location: Whatcom County
Reports to: Director of Whatcom Services
Hours: 40 hours per week; non-exempt position
Starting Wage Range: $27.00-$30.39
NWYS Mission
At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness. We believe that every young person deserves a supportive community and a home where they can thrive.
Position Summary
The Whatcom County Queer Youth Services (QYS) Coordinator is a community-based position that works to ensure that LGBTQIA2S+ youth across Whatcom County have information and access to affirming services and support. This position connects directly with youth and requires the utmost professionalism, demonstrating passion and competence in a dynamic environment of street and community outreach; raises awareness of NWYS and QYS through education and relationship-building with schools and youth-serving organizations; and provides direct support to LGBTQIA2S+ youth.
The QYS Coordinator reports to the Director of Whatcom Services and is part of the Whatcom Services team. They will work closely with the Skagit County QYS Coordinator, the Whatcom and Skagit County Outreach Teams, the Ground Floor Drop-In Center, and the PAD Youth Residential Program.
Key Responsibilities
This job description reflects the essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned in response to program needs, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.
Youth Outreach
- Participate in street outreach with NWYS and partner organizations, connecting LGBTQIA2S+ youth to Queer Youth Services and other NWYS programs
- Engage youth through school-based outreach in middle schools, high schools, alternative schools, and school-based groups
- Maintain presence in community-based settings, including food banks, libraries, community centers, shelters, juvenile detention facilities, and relevant locations
- Distribute gender-affirming and reproductive health care supplies and information
Direct Service and Youth Support
- Provide one-on-one support, information, referrals, and practical assistance tailored to LGBTQIA2S+ youth based on their identified needs
- Offer one-on-one support and advocacy, including help navigating health care, housing options, and community resources
- Assist youth with obtaining public benefits such as food assistance, health insurance, SSI, and cash benefits
- Support youth in obtaining essential documents such as identification cards and Social Security cards
- Connect youth to legal, medical, and community partners as appropriate
- Provide emotional support and help youth build connections to safe family, community, cultural, and identity-affirming services
- Transport youth using a personal vehicle to appointments, services, or safe locations in accordance with agency policies
- Accurately document services, contacts, and activities according to program standards
Community Education and Engagement
- Collaborate with schools, community groups, and youth-serving organizations to increase awareness of Queer Youth Services, Northwest Youth Services programs, and available supports
- Share information with community partners about protected health care, youth rights, and access to affirming services
- Build and maintain relationships with schools and youth-serving organizations to strengthen referrals and coordinated support for youth
- Serve as a point of contact for community partners seeking information about QYS and NWYS services
Program Implementation and Administration
- Coordinate logistics for QYS activities so youth can reliably access services
- Organize and support outreach activities and community events for the QYS Program
- Track outreach, services, and supply distribution for internal reporting and program planning
- Maintain accurate client records in accordance with agency policy and legal confidentiality requirements
- Communicate regularly with the Director of Whatcom Services and the Executive Director about program progress and emerging needs
- Participate in program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts
- Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to use screens. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and to provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to frequently sit for extended periods of time, stand, walk, climb, and/or balance. Direct service employees must be able to tolerate complex and intense mental and emotional circumstances for the duration of the shift, and must be able to perform CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, and other first aid measures when required.
Travel Requirements
This position requires frequent driving throughout Whatcom County, including transporting youth in accordance with agency policies. The employee must be able to safely operate a personal vehicle and move between locations throughout the workday.
Minimum Qualifications
- Six years of combined education and experience in working with youth. Relevant experience may include community-based work, outreach, advocacy, direct service, lived experience, training, or formal education
- Valid Washington State driver’s license, acceptable driving record, proof of auto insurance, and ability to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel and youth transportation
- Background check clearance
Required within the first 30 days of employment:
- CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certifications required
- Must have negative TB test
- Full understanding of the CPS mandatory reporting requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Two or more years of experience working with system-involved youth and/or youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Training in de-escalation, harm reduction, mental health first aid, trauma-informed care, or related areas
- Lived experience relevant to the youth and communities served
- Bilingual in English/Spanish
Skills and Competencies
- Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and integrity, including maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
- Strong communication skills, including clear information sharing, active listening, and respectful, direct dialogue
- Initiative and problem-solving skills, with the ability to take ownership of work and approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset
- Sound judgment and critical thinking, including understanding role boundaries, following policies, and seeking guidance when needed
- Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and professional growth
- Effective time and task management, with the ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing demands
- Flexibility and adaptability in dynamic, community-based environments
- Commitment to equity-centered practice, including cultural humility, awareness of systemic barriers, and respectful engagement across diverse identities and lived experiences
Benefits
- Earn paid time off based on hours worked
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits begin first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
- Voluntary life, critical illness, long term disability, and accident insurance eligibility begins first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
- Simple IRA Retirement plan with match up to 3% of employee contributions, per pay period, after first year of employment
- NWYS sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Annual Healing Fund stipend
- Twelve paid holidays annually
Northwest Youth Services is an Equal Opportunity employer. Employment is based upon individual qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disabilities, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.