Youth Intervention Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

BACKGROUND

REST exists to expand pathways to freedom, safety and hope in order to end sex trafficking. REST offers programs that are centered on the strengths, needs and individual choices of each survivor we serve. We offer a continuum of care that includes outreach, a 24/7 hotline, community advocates, a drop-in center, an economic empowerment program, emergency shelter, residential program, and housing services. We are inspired by our faith as a Christian organization, are dedicated to serving people of all faith backgrounds, and do not require faith engagement. Our culture is influenced by our values of belonging, honor, trustworthiness, and tenacity.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran or disability status. This position is open to cisgender and transgender females as the primary work location is for women only. As a Christian organization, this position must work in harmony with the organization’s statement of faith and support the spiritual health of the organization.

 

 

ROLE SUMMARY

The Youth Intervention Advocate provides relationship-centered advocacy, case management, and individualized support to youth who have experienced or are at increased risk of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Working from a trauma-informed, strengths-based, youth-centered, and harm-reduction approach, the Advocate receives warm handoffs and referrals from schools, youth-serving organizations, community partners, healthcare providers, and other referral sources. The Advocate completes rapid intake and individualized safety planning while partnering with each young person to identify their strengths, immediate needs, and personal goals for safety, stability, and well-being.

Maintaining a capped caseload, the Youth Intervention Advocate provides ongoing case management, consistent follow-up, and coordination of services based on each young person’s individual needs and goals. Support may include connections to safe housing, behavioral and physical healthcare, substance use services, education, employment, transportation, basic needs, benefits, legal resources, and other community-based services. The Advocate works closely with REST’s Crisis Team and Youth Prevention Outreach & Community Engagement Specialist to provide coordinated support across intervention, outreach, prevention, and stabilization services.

The Youth Intervention Advocate also builds strong collaborative relationships with schools, behavioral health and healthcare providers, child welfare, juvenile justice, housing programs, and other youth-serving organizations to coordinate care and strengthen referral pathways for youth. This position is ideal for someone with experience in youth outreach, youth case management, advocacy, social services, child welfare services, juvenile justice systems, crisis intervention, or community-based youth programs who is passionate about building trusted relationships with young people and helping them navigate complex systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

ADVOCACY & CASE MANAGEMENT

• Maintain a caseload of 15-20 youth who have experienced or are at increased risk of commercial exploitation
• Complete timely intake, needs assessments, and individualized service plans in partnership with each young person.
• Advocate on the behalf of youth in areas such as court,
• Receive and respond to referrals from local community youth organizations, schools, healthcare providers, child welfare and juvenile justice providers as well as other youth serving partners.
• Build consistent, trusting relationships with youth using trauma-informed, strengths-based, harm reduction, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local organizations and providers to ensure smooth referral processes for youth.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT & STABILIZATION

• Meet youth where they are both physically and developmentally and provide culturally appropriate services in community-based settings when appropriate.
• Support youth in identifying personal goals and developing achievable steps toward safety, stability, independence, and overall well-being.
• Support youth through transitions, including changes in housing, school, treatment, employment, family circumstances, or other significant life events
• Celebrate progress and help youth recognize their strengths, resilience, and accomplishments throughout their participation in services.

CRISIS INTERVENTION & SAFETY PLANNING

• Conduct ongoing safety assessments and develop individualized safety plans with youth experiencing exploitation, violence, housing instability, or other safety concerns.
• Recognize changes and respond appropriately to youth in crises partnering with the REST Crisis Team and Hotline to assist with urgent safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency resources or additional stabilization supports.
• Provide youth with education and tools to recognize unsafe situations, strengthen protective factors, and make informed decisions about their safety.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Partner closely with the Youth Prevention Outreach and Community Engagement Specialist to build relationships with community partners such as youth prevention and outreach programs to strengthen connection for referrals and intervention services.
• Attend community youth events, youth coalition meetings and trainings to share resources on the behalf of CSE youth.
• Identify service gaps and emerging needs experienced by youth and communicate trends to program leadership to support program improvement

DOCUMENTATION

• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential case notes, assessments, safety plans, service plans, referrals, and other required documentation.
• Track youth engagement, services, referrals, outcomes, and follow-up activities in REST’s designated data systems.
• Maintain documentation and data in accordance with organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and grant expectations.
• Participate in case consultation, supervision, program meetings, training, and continuous quality-improvement activities.
• Maintain professional boundaries and uphold REST’s commitment to survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and equitable services.
• Participate in required training related to commercial sexual exploitation, trauma, adolescent development, crisis intervention, mandated reporting, safety planning, and other relevant topics.
• Follow all organizational policies related to youth safety, confidentiality, mandated reporting, documentation, and professional conduct.
• Perform other duties related to the Youth CSE Initiative as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must believe in the core values of REST and be driven by the mission. Beyond that, we are seeking a candidate with proven experience in working with vulnerable populations.

Required

• A minimum of 2 to 5 years of relevant direct-service experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience. 
• Ability to carry a full caseload with strong follow-through, documentation discipline, and grant-required data accuracy.
• Sound judgment and firm boundaries when working with youth in crisis and with people who pose harm to them.
• Ability to coordinate professionally with schools, healthcare, child welfare, juvenile justice, and law enforcement partners.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation under deadline, including grant-required data.
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive services and the ability to work effectively with youth from diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, gender, and lived-experience backgrounds.
• Must be willing and able to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and national background check, in accordance with applicable laws and REST’s employment policies.
• Alignment with REST’s mission and organizational values, and willingness to work in harmony with the organization’s Statement of Faith.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience providing direct advocacy or case management for youth or young adults, particularly those impacted by trauma, exploitation, or systems involvement.
• Working knowledge of trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and youth-centered case planning, or demonstrated ability to reach proficiency through REST’s training program.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Trauma-informed, strengths-based case management
• Safety planning under complex circumstances
• Documentation discipline and grant-data accuracy
• Cultural responsiveness and cultural humility
• Professional collaboration across systems partners
• Professional boundaries and ethical judgment
• Sound judgment under pressure
• Emotional regulation and personal sustainability in high-exposure work

SCHEDULE

40 hours/week. This position typically works Monday through Friday. Occasional on call and outside hours may be required. Some holidays may be required, and some seasons may require more than 40 hours/week.

LOCATION

This position is based out of REST’s office is located in South Seattle but must be able to meet clients throughout King County and the region.

COMPENSATION

The pay rate for this position is $28.00/hour. 

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for all benefits offered to full-time non-exempt employees. This currently starts at up to 15 days (120 hours) of accrued vacation, 10 days of accrued sick time, 12 holidays, 100% employer-paid medical/dental/vision premiums for the employee, one paid mental health hour each week, and a 403b retirement plan. 

JOB CONDITIONS

This position encounters a variety of daily work situations, including complex situations that require immediate attention and decision making. There may be both routine and complex interpersonal interactions to navigate with care and thoughtfulness. Processes may change based on changing needs of the organization, new technology, or new ideas for efficiency. Position operates as part of a team and engages in on-site work that may require time spent sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs, driving, transporting items. Position works under occasional time constraints to meet objectives, and performs computer work, including using a keyboard, looking at a screen, using the internet, email, phone, and video conferencing.