Advocate - Youth Housing

Description

Job Title: Advocate - Youth Housing

Department: Youth Advocacy  

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time

Hiring Range: $19.50 - $22.29

NEKCA Mission Statement:

To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

SUMMARY:

Advocates at NEKCA build strong relationships with our community and participants to set goals and see positive outcomes for families and individuals. Advocates utilize a strengths-based approach to support individual and household well-being while collaborating with agency and community partners to support service delivery in a human-centered way.

This position is an Advocate in the Youth Services Department which primarily supports youth in accessing and maintaining stable and secure housing.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Perform intake per requirements of NEKCA/grantor. Determine and verify eligibility for all applicants in accordance with program guidelines

• Collect and report all data accurately and timely into GoEngage to meet program deadlines

• Assess participants in crisis to determine immediate needs and develop a plan for response, including referrals (interagency and external)

• Work collaboratively with community partners to address the needs of low-income households

• Understand and follow all program guidance and policies

• Attend and participate in staff, agency, and community meetings deemed necessary for job performance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support youth in a successful transition to adulthood, which includes enabling youth to become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities.

• Support Youth in completing appropriate applications and navigating all the resources available to them.

• Support youth with developing strong ties and natural support networks, including families, local community organizations, and other significant adults

• Assessment of needs and making appropriate referrals to community organizations for services

• Respond to emergency and crisis calls from law enforcement, youth, and family when on call (evening/weekend hours).

• Using trauma informed skills and restorative practices, staff engage youth in life skills and relationship building activities that may include the following: conflict resolution; social skills development; problem solving and decision making; community service/leadership skills and other integrative activities, as well as case-specific subjects pertaining to individual participant needs.

• Work with regional landlords and developers to increase access for Youth/Young Adults into existing or new rental units

• Mediation and support to help maintain housing

• Housing search assistance

• Work closely with referring agencies, schools, and law enforcement to address the needs of families and youth in crisis.

• Collaborate with the team in making supportive decisions and planning for youth and families

• May be asked to support and staff Youth Center activities and events, which may include evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Core Competencies:

• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community. 

• Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems.

• This position is considered a mandated reporter. 

• Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work fleixble hours (program dependent) 

• Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations. 

• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them.

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Complete all required trainings and professional development.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Position has occassionally bending, stooping, or reaching for items. Standing or moving around the office area.

Travel: Home visits involve travel to participants' homes. This can vary from local travel to covering a larger geographic area, depending on the nature of the job. 

Participant Diversity: Professionals conducting home visits often work with a diverse range of participants, each with unique needs, backgrounds, and living conditions.

Safety Considerations: Safety is a crucial aspect of home visits. Professionals need to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to ensure their safety, especially if they are visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky environments.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions of their job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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The responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to provide a general overview of the role and its expectations. While this description is comprehensive, it should not be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and tasks that may be required of the employee. The organization reserves the right to assign other tasks or responsibilities as needed, and this role's responsibilities may evolve in response to changes in the organization's goals and priorities. Flexibility and adaptability are key attributes for success in this dynamic work environment.

NEKCA is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by NEKCA. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities. 

Qualifications for positions within NEKCA are determined by the duties and responsibilities of the position itself.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

BA (preferred)

1-2 years of relevant experience preferred

Background Checks:

Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background, and driving records.

Transportation Requirements:

This position requires that employees possess a valid driver's license, favorable driving record results and have access to dependable transportation. 

This position may require the transportation of participants.

Salary : $20 - $22