Youth Advocate

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Supportive Services Manager, the youth advocate is tasked with executing outreach activities, managing drop-in center operations, leading PYD (Positive Youth Development) groups, offering peer support, and making referrals to youths in the Transitional Living Program (TLP) and youths to collaborating partners. They also assist in facilitating family reunification when deemed appropriate, and organize and participate in community outreach events, while managing social media content for TYFS (Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook). Additionally, they engage with youths in the Rapid Rehousing Program, guiding them through the process of housing and employment search and providing aftercare to ensure stability and self-sufficiency during and after the program. This position is full-time, non-exempt hourly employment, without medical, dental, and vision benefits, and does not accrue vacation and sick leave in accordance with the agency's Personnel Policy and Procedures in the Employee Handbook.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• An undergraduate degree is preferred.
• One year of experience in a related field is preferred.
• Relevant experience may be substituted for the required education, as deemed appropriate by the Executive Director.
• Special consideration will be given to people with knowledge of community-based organizations.
• Special consideration will be given to persons who speak and understand Spanish.

RESPONSIBILITIES

All responsibilities of the Youth Advocate are “as directed” by the Supportive Services Manager. Youth Advocate are expected to learn many of the following responsibilities, core skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies during their employment with the agency. It is most important that the Youth Advocate can identify with and provide information to other youth in a manner consistent with the agency and program philosophies on outreach.

• Work cooperatively with volunteers and employees.
• Provide outreach services to youth. Youth Advocate will approach youth found in these community settings and provide youth with information regarding programs and services available to them.
• Attend weekly Supportive meetings.
• Participate in weekly outreach to the youth of the community through presentations, street outreach in relevant locales, and handing out relevant and useful information through “palm cards,” hygiene materials, and shelter information.
• Develop relevant materials to be distributed to youth.
• Participate in outreach to the community regarding all aspects of the agency’s programs and services.
• Provide outreach and education to public and private agencies, schools, and the community through direct presentations and participation in community events.
• When youth who have been sexually abused or exploited are identified and located, these youth are offered support services (i.e. shelter, counseling, food, etc.)
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with local agencies, organizations, law enforcement, and other relevant local and national organizations.
• Maintain required program statistical data.
• Perform all tasks and assignments to ensure appropriate and ethical adherence to the grant/contract guidelines under which the program operates.
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and related functions.
• Acquire updated information through reading and training to remain current on job-related techniques, issues, and information.
• Participate in appropriate networking activities.
• Perform all related tasks as requested by the Supportive Services Manager or Executive Director.

CORE KNOWLEDGE COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• Strength-based therapeutic perspective.
• Broad understanding of community resources.
• Exhibits understanding of emergency response techniques appropriate to the position.
• Laws and rights affect clients, including youth.
• Basic operations of human service, community-based organizations.

CORE SKILL COMPETENCIES

• Active listening, communication, critical thinking, customer service, and team players.
• Integrity, honesty, and knowing how to learn.
• Function effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and exercise sound judgment.
• Focus on understanding and meeting client needs.
• Actively works toward organizational improvement and professional growth.
• Clear and concise documentation style.
• Perceptive of non-verbal cues.
• Set appropriate limits and boundaries.
• Relate to youth and adults.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Represent the agency in public to communicate program philosophy, objectives, and methodology.
• Act in a professional manner with a teamwork approach to staff, other community agencies, and funding sources.
• Submit required reports on time.
• Accept direction, support, and feedback from supervisors.
• Planning, negotiating, recordkeeping, file maintenance.
• Strength-based perspective, decision-making, and leadership.
• Sensitivity to working with culturally diverse populations.

CORE ABILITIES

Ability to:

• Maintain standards of confidentiality and code of ethics.
• Prioritize work effectively.
• Operate computer, calculator, duplicating, and other office equipment.
• Accept direction, support, and feedback from supervisors.
• Recognize and build on strengths and resources inherent in all individuals and environments.
• Provides consistently positive and professional modeling in all aspects of their role.
• Work independently in a variety of settings and make independent judgments.
• Make independent/non-reactive decisions in the best interest of the parties involved (i.e., child, family, peers).
• Identify cues that may lead to risk and safety issues.
• Respond appropriately to the crisis.
• Anticipate, identify, and correct any safety/security issues.
• Recognize the need for consultation.
• Be a role model for children and families.
• Join/align with parents, other agencies, advocates, etc.
• Follow rules, policies procedures, and practice guidelines in a wide variety of off-site settings.
• Interact professionally and sensitively with all contacts, in a variety of contexts.
• Participate in group settings.
• Prioritize and follow through with commitments.
• Brainstorm/implement solutions.
• Recognize own skills and areas needing improvement.
• Manage own emotions/demonstrate self-control in highly emotional situations.
• Maintain a professional demeanor in the face of adversity.
• Work in a multitude of high-pressure changing environments.
• Keep abreast of and relay information to co-workers, supervisors, therapists, other departments, parents, and external customers.
• Prepare information and make presentations to groups.
• Demonstrate a non-judgmental frame of reference.
• Maintain positive work relationships respectfully and collaboratively.
• Maintain good communication to ensure others have the necessary information.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20