Youth Engagement Advocate

OVERVIEW:

The Youth Engagement Advocate provides intensive case management and advocacy for commercially sexually exploited (CSE) youth in order to access services, including medical, mental health, financial, emergency shelter and other basic living and safety needs. This position will assist CSE youth in crisis intervention, problem solving, action planning and skill building in order to address immediate life and safety issues, reduce the risk of continued sexual exploitation and abuse. The Advocate will provide outreach to other agencies and community partners across Monroe County in order to identify CSE and coordinate immediate access to needed services and supports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Crisis Intervention
• Case Management & youth advocacy
• Individual Counseling
• Community Outreach to youth-serving agencies
• Maintain client confidentiality, consistent with Center policies
• Referral readiness and referral services
• After-hours response, assessment and intake of youth in need
• Accurate and timely case and program record keeping
• Representation of the agency on community committees, coalitions, etc., as assigned
• Effectively manage time to meet responsibilities
• Engage youth to offer services and referrals
• Participation in supervision, staff meetings and trainings
• Transportation of Clients, when required and consistent with agency policies*
• Other duties as assigned

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES:

Candidate must:

• Adhere to ethical conduct
• Demonstrate professionalism i.e., timely, dependable, responsible, flexible
• Be non-judgmental and respectful
• Model principles of inclusion and tolerance
• Be youth centered and positive
• Be family friendly
• Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and co-workers /
• Develop positive relationships with all key stakeholders
• Have strong literacy skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension)
• Have excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Conduct research and apply best-practices and evaluation methods
• Effectively promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors
• Provide leadership and/or work independently as requested

Candidate must possess significant knowledge of -

• Adolescent development including: positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction and protective factors
• Youth serving systems
• Community resources
• Client advocacy

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY:

The Center delivers services to youth and families from many racial, ethnic, cultural, social and life style groups. We value differences in people and strive to understand diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, abilities and beliefs. To this end, all staff are required to attend professional development trainings and to continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity. Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity. The annual Performance Appraisal provides an opportunity for staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into their everyday work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in human services, education or a related field; and (2) two years of experience with navigating systems and crisis case management, or an equivalent combination of education, employment and life experience. A Master's degree is preferred. In addition to the above, it is mandatory that candidates meet the following criteria prior to hire:

• Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information
• Proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months including a PPD and annually thereafter.
• A valid driver's license
• Regular access to a motor vehicle
• Automobile insurance at the level of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident Bodily Injury and $50,000 Property Damage

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates must be able to be autonomously mobile in order to provide the required services. #J-18808-Ljbffr Center for Youth Services