YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ADVOCATE

Job Description

Job Description

Position Description: Mission/Purpose:

Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA) creates brighter futures for children in crisis by promoting individual success and healthy relationships in a safe, healing environment, giving children and families the tools to end the cycle of abuse. RMYA provides treatment programs for traumatized children who most often are victims of sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse. RMYA supports using trauma-informed techniques and relationship-based approaches to create a safe environment that provides consistency, structure, and caring for the children we serve.
Job Summary:
The YEA is responsible for ensuring the overall safety and well-being of youth In RMYAs care. Leveraging RMYAs Treatment Model(s), the YEA provides face-to-face trauma informed supervision, support and intervention to youth in their care. Through intentional engagement and building strong connections, the YEA contributes to a safe and healing environment that promotes individual success, achievement of goals, improved physical and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships, supplying the tools to gain a sense of normalcy, self-resilience and trust.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Supervision of Youth:
1.\tBe consistently present with youth when on shift and prioritize intentional engagement with each resident in care—individually and frequently throughout each shift.
2.\tBe a source of encouragement for youth participation in school, therapy, and program activities as well as positive interpersonal relationships with other youth and staff.
3.\tUnderstand and model a trauma-informed approach to foster growth and development in youth, especially in times of crisis.
4.\tFacilitate and promote appropriate youth contacts with family members and other care providers.
5.\tEnsure basic needs of hygiene, nutrition, and clothing are met for each youth; provide encouragement and coaching on maintaining good hygiene and proper attire.
6.\tSupport Normalcy activities to include, but not limited to clothing, hygiene products, hair care, birthdays, holidays, graduations, etc.
7.\tSupervise groups of four to eight youth and always know their whereabouts to ensure safety. Transport residents as necessary.
8.\tModel and teach constructive behaviors, problem-solving, and assist residents with age-appropriate life skills.
9.\tFacilitate and promote appropriate youth contacts with family members and other care providers.
10.\tEnsure maintenance and cleanliness of all facilities and teach the youth to do the same
Administration:
1.\tAssist with basic operating needs of the programs and address various licensing requirements relating to health and safety.
2.\tAdhere to a daily schedule that fosters a structured, therapeutic environment.
3.\tFulfill stringent requirements for documentation.
4.\tFulfill requirements for initial and ongoing RMYA-provided employee training and take ownership of own professional development.
Relationships and Collaboration:
1.\tEmbrace and model the RMYA values of Protection, Simplicity, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Responsibility.
2.\tMaintain confidentiality, professional, and ethical standards as prescribed by RMYA.
3.\tAdhere to and uphold RMYA policies, procedures, values, and best practices.
4.\tCollaborate and communicate with other staff members and leadership to provide and improve services to youth; actively participate in regular team, staff, and shift change meetings.
Compliance and Administrative Requirements
1.\tContribute ideas and solutions to the Compliance and Quality Improvement Plan by understanding and implementing the service delivery standards in their care for the youth of RMYA.
2.\tMaintain Compliance with all training requirements.
3.\tMaintain compliance with all RMYA, DFPS, T3C, SSCC and COA policies and procedures and with all federal, state and local laws.
Other Duties/Responsibilities:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
•\tEducation: High School Diploma or equivalent
•\tExperience: 0–1-year experience in similar setting.
•\tCertification/Licenses: Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire. Must have and maintain acceptable driving record.
Competencies:
o\tPeople skills – demonstrates sensitivity and empathy with others, possesses insight into behavior, maintains open communication and respects diversity, interacts respectfully, effectively, and cooperatively with a wide range of people.
o\tInitiative –demonstrates a willingness to work and persists to accomplish tasks even when conditions are difficult or deadlines are tight
o\tDependability and reliability –meets attendance and punctuality expectations, attends to details and follows directions.
o\tReading & writing – able to understand and comprehend written information in a variety of formats and able to use standard business English
o\tTeamwork – establishes productive relationships and works cooperatively with others to complete work assignments and meet team objectives.
o\tPatient health and safety- implement procedures and protocols to promote the health and wellness of a person receiving support, care, or services.
o\tDocumenting/recording information- entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information to efficiently manage record-keeping.
o\tSupporting daily living- effective application of the knowledge, skills, and ethics necessary to assist and support youth
•\tPhysical Requirements: Standing up to eight hours at a time, no scheduled breaks, few opportunities to relax during shifts; constant walking, standing, sitting, bending, squatting, reaching, twisting, arm and wrist rotation; occasional kneeling, climbing stairs; occasional physical interventions with distressed youth. Ability to restrain youth up to 200 plus pounds to a height up to six feet with the assistance from one other employee.
•\tWork Environment: Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Shifts in environmental conditions i.e., hot, cold, outdoor, indoor, dry, humid, noise. May be requested to work overtime and weekends for special program events.
Preferred Qualifications:
•\tEducation: Some college or degree preferred
•\tExperience: Direct care experience with emotionally or behaviorally challenged children and youth highly preferred.
•\tCompetencies:
o\tCritical and analytical thinking- using logic, reasoning, mental agility, and analysis to address problems.
o\tPromoting empowerment, Instruction - develop strategies to assist and support the team to make informed choices through participation, self-advocacy, and utilization of resources. Training other employees as necessary.
o\tPlanning, organizing, problem solving – plans and prioritizes work, manages time effectively. Applies critical thinking skills to solve problems and suggest alternatives.
o\tReading & Writing – ability to comprehend standard English in a variety of formats.
o\tWorking with tools and technology- selecting, using, and maintaining tools and technology to facilitate work tasks.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements:
Successful clearance of Department of Family and Protective Services licensing background checks, (to include fingerprinting and drug testing) and maintenance of status providing ability to be present at an operation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

$17.00 - $20.00 Hourly