JOB TITLE: Youth Advocate and Mentor-Common Grounds: A Taos Teen Co-Op and Cafe

Status: Part-Time, regular, non-exempt, from 4-28 hours per week

Shifts Available: 4pm-8pm, Wednesdays, 3pm-11pm Friday-Sunday

Common Grounds: A Taos Teen Co-Op and Cafe (CG), is a Youth Outreach Mission project of St. James Episcopal Church (St. James). Common Grounds is a Co-Op of teens, adults, and community sponsors cooperating to meet the needs of teens and young adults in Taos County. With our community partner, DreamTree Project, CG will provide a safe haven for socializing, accessing healthy recreation, community support, and basic services and employment opportunities through the operation of a drop-in center and food-truck. The design of CG is to be a low-barrier, non-discriminatory access point to all services. While open to all youth, CG especially welcomes youth who are otherwise left out or marginalized. The support services offered will include service navigation, life skills classes, showers, laundry facilities, a food pantry, internet, employment opportunities.

Experience/Requirements:

• Minimum wage 21.
• 1-2 years working with youth in similar programs or activities. Prior experiences may include: daycare, school teacher, shelter, counselor, therapist, security guard, 12-step and/or recovery experience, or other volunteer work with youth.
• Current approved background check or ability to pass a criminal background check.

Ideal Candidate will:

• Ensure that not person experiences discrimination.
• Serves as an example in meeting participating youth "where they are" with compassion, care, and love.
• Be an ally to the students by supporting their needs and concerns.
• Be present and available to assist youth when asked, refraining from telling youth what to do.
• Encourage youth in their beliefs and opinions and serve as a positive influence in their expressions of self-beliefs.
• Respect youth, volunteers, and staff expressions of pronouns and gender identity regardless of personal beliefs.

Responsibilities:

• Be available to be an ally in our building to youth guests, council members, and staff.
• Assist in making sure the building and spaces are respected and shared properly.
• Participate in creating a safe place, both psychologically and physically, for youth, volunteers, and staff.
• Help maintain an ethical environment of respect, empathy, structure, and confidentiality for all guests.
• Monitor indoor/outdoor activities and report to the Program Director/Coordinator any concerning interactions or incidents on the property.
• Communicate facility maintenance needs in a prompt manner.
• Maintain facility security (e.g., lock and close all doors and windows when leaving).
• Answer agency phone, including checking voicemail and returning calls, in a timely manner during shifts.
• Complete all shift documentation, including but not limited to logs, notes, and incident reports.
• Participate in reflective supervision with Supervisor at least 1 hour per month, and staff meetings.
• Complete trainings, as assigned.
• Other duties, as needed and assigned.

Additional compensation:

$100 bonus after 30 days

$100 bonus after 60 days

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 4 – 28 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adolescents

Schedule:

• Evening shift
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• DreamTree Project requires that you can work with or near minors. Is there anything in your background that could prevent this?

Language:

• Spanish or Tiwa (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person