Youth Advocate

JOB TITLE:  Youth Advocate           STATUS: Full Time       

FLSA STATUS: Exempt            CUSTOMARY HOURS: M-F, 8 hours/day

HOURS/WEEK:  40 hours

DIVISION:  Marillac St. Vincent Family Services

DEPARTMENT:   Program and Services

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Youth Development Manager 

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: None 

THE MISSION

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens and amplifies the voices of marginalized communities – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and programs tailored to foster thriving families and sustainable communities in Chicago.

Core Values

Our employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.

Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honesty

Excellence - Providing quality care with compassion

Creativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventive

Advocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life

Respect - Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people

             Empowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

1. Versatility – Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapting one’s approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive action; self-control; active listening.
2. A collaborative work model – Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization’s goals. 
3. Mutual accountability – Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.
4. Client/customer advocate – Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one’s self professionally.
5. Protects confidentiality & privacy – Respects and protects information about all staff and clients.
6. General Summary 

Works with participants in the daily activities in Youth Development programming during after school/out of school time programs as well as summer program.  Provides Case Management, resources and referrals. Implements planned activities for enrolled participants.  Mentor and tutor student participants. Provide leadership through role modeling.   

Case Management/Administration

1. Intake and enroll program participants in all programmatic components within Youth & Teen Programming.
2. Maintain a caseload between 25-40 youth participants.
3. Actively facilitate the Case Management Process which includes completing all necessary participant intake documents, complete programmatic assessments; develop and revise development plans as needed.

1. Maintain case notes, participant files and ensure that all reporting function are directly related to progress and outcomes.

Advocacy & Support (Mentoring)

1. Provide relationship-based one on one mentoring and support to participants in an effort to assist them in achieving goals outlined in the development plan.
2. Use knowledge of community resources to help participants achieved the goals outlined in their development plan.
3. Work collaboratively with community partners to ensure holistic needs are being met.
4. Address individual needs of youth, including emotion/social/educational needs and concerns and/or refer as appropriate.

Program/Group Facilitation

1. Actively supervise program participants.
2. Facilitate group sessions focused on Youth Development programs core areas.
3. Engage with Youth Development Specialist to ensure program participants are enrolled in elective programming.
4. Assist with coordination and implementation of group activities and events and chaperone participants while on planned field trips.
5. Assist with daily transportation of students from schools as bus monitor on a rotating basis.
6. Attend professional development and trainings to stay abreast of best practices related to youth development.

• Adheres to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Marillac St. Vincent Family Services Employee Handbook. 
• Ensure all youth program comply with local, state, and federal regulations and organizational policies. 

• Participates in staff meetings as required by department. 

• Attends required professional development and trainings. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Psychology, Education, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience working in a nonprofit/community-based social-services setting preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with youth in a direct service or advocacy role.
• Experience in case management, program coordination, or community outreach is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• An ability to work with youth and have some knowledge of normal growth and development of children and adolescents, preferred.  
• Ability to assist with recreational, tutoring, creative arts, etc. activities.  
• Exhibit strong leadership abilities. 
• Must be flexible, creative, positive and a team player. 
• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relationships.  
• Ability to relate to diverse population.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly. 
2. Possess the ability to fulfill and any all activities normally expected in a classroom setting, to include, but not limited to active participation in group activities.  
3. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25-30 pounds.
4. At times, may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position. 
5. This is not a sedentary position but requires constant movement in keeping the planned group activities.

1. Internal office space.  
2. Classroom setting.
3. Gym setting
4. Computer lab
5. Offsite field trip sites, both indoor and outdoor settings.
6. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Screenings

• The applicant must submit to a criminal background check and adult abuse and neglect screening and maintain a cleared status throughout employment.
• The applicant must submit MMR, Tdap and pass a TB and immunization health screen upon hire and update TB/physicals as required by the licensing standards.

Additional Requirements

• Extended work hours beyond 40 hours/week when necessary, including evenings, weekends and for special events. 
• Flexibility with schedule as requested. 
• Overnight trips may be required periodically.