Shelter Youth Advocate

Job description

Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA)

Founded in 1977, CASA is the official 501c3 domestic violence center based in Pinellas County, FL. We operate the area’s 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter; non-residential programs, such as support groups, economic empowerment and legal advocacy; Child Protective Investigative Team support; community and corporate training; and the CASA Peacemakers anti-bullying and healthy relationship school curriculum.

Position Title: Shelter Youth Advocate

Reports To: Youth & Wellness Manager

Major Function: To provide support to youth and families residing at shelter with childcare, youth support groups, crisis counseling, safety planning, basic needs, and resources.

All employees of Community Action Stops Abuse are considered “essential” and as such may be required to remain onsite and/or required to assist during emergencies and other critical times.

FLSA: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Illustrative Duties:

• Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00pm to 8:30pm, Off Sunday and Monday.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and support to youth and their parents who are residing at shelter.
• Provide survivors and their children with child-care, basic needs, and resources.
• Create and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for children and their parents in all designated areas for youth.
• Assist in developing and administering an interactive youth programming schedule that includes activities that foster interaction, communication, creativity, learning and support.
• Complete youth and family intakes, assessment forms, safety plans, and other necessary documents for the youth files.
• Facilitate youth support groups.
• Facilitate events and activities with survivors and their children.
• Accompany survivors and their children to appointments with other agencies, as necessary.
• Complete the youth center daily checklists.
• Effectively respond to crisis situations in shelter per CASA policies.
• Provide individualized interaction and crisis counseling with the children, including understanding their reactions to domestic violence.
• Maintain record of daily activities of each child and enter the information into the appropriate database.
• Coordinate transportation for survivors and their children in CASA vehicles as necessary, or provide planning routes to utilize the bus system.
• Prepare rooms to receive new intakes by stocking with necessary supplies and ensuring rooms are in order and ready for the individual or family.
• Perform tasks related to exits, including packing and storing of belongings as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and upkeep of all areas inside and outside that are designated for use by children.
• Assist in enrollment of children in schools and/or daycare as needed.
• Prepare food, serve, and feed children and families.
• Clean rooms and family suites as needed.
• May provide back up to crisis hotline as needed.

General:

• Participate in staff meetings.
• Understand and abide by CASA’s Confidentiality Policy at all times.
• Demonstrate a commitment to treat residents, volunteers, and co-workers in a respectful manner at all times.
• Attend and participate in all required training.
• Assist with training and supervision of volunteers.
• Agree to work a flexible schedule when required, which may include changing shifts to ensure 24-hour Shelter coverage, due to illness, absence, or vacation other staff members.
• Complete special projects as requested.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Requires High School Diploma or equivalent; and two years of related experience/education or a minimum of six months proven success in a current CASA direct service position
• High School or equivalent and completion of 40 hours of DCF Child Care Standards 40-hour training required within first 90 days of employment may be substituted for education/experience.
• Ability to climb stairs, lifts up to 50 pounds, and carries children.
• Have experience working in a licensed childcare setting preferred.
• Agree to work a flexible schedule.
• Possess training and experience in domestic violence preferred.
• Demonstrate the willingness to drive agency vehicles.
• Possess the ability to function independently and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Possess a valid Florida State Driver's License and auto insurance card to be verified annually.
• Agree to participate in a Level II background check upon employment.
• All employees of CASA are considered “essential” and as such may be required to be available to remain onsite and/or required to assist during emergencies and other critical times.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18