Youth Advocate (Out-of-School Coordinator)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH + FAMILIES (JI) – An Equal Opportunity Employer

Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families (JI) is a nonprofit organization established in 1989 specifically for the purpose of bringing together agencies that serve children and youth to drive collective impact and ensure higher impact services for young people ages 0-21 and their families in El Paso and Teller Counties.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Youth Advocate supports Joint Initiatives’ Pathways program by delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed programming that fosters positive youth development, reduces risk factors, and strengthens protective factors for middle and high school youth wherever JI serves youth. The advocate builds positive relationships with youth and engages youth in activities such as after-school programs, tutoring, restorative practice connection circles, and career exploration activities that build skills, promote healing, and inspire hope for the future.

Requirements:

RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES

• Coordinates and supports volunteers and contractors delivering programming within the Ascend Center to ensure alignment with program goals and student needs.
• Collaborates with community partners and JI leadership to provide out-of-school and summer activities intended to reduce risk behaviors and build positive skills, including after-school and summer activities.
• Facilitates the delivery of trauma-informed, pro-social skill-building activities that strengthen interpersonal relationships and support academic engagement through connection circles and other activities.
• Collaborates with peers and partners to design and implement parent/caretaker programming within JI to improve family support and life skill development for youth.
• Collaborates with school administration to develop, implement, and evaluate youth-responsive programming that targets at-risk youth.
• Facilitates youth leadership and peer mentoring opportunities by engaging students in program design, feedback, and outreach, while integrating youth-led initiatives within schoolbased programming.
• Recruits, trains, and supports youth mentors and leaders to strengthen peer networks, elevate youth voice, and promote positive role modeling and community engagement.
• Coordinates career exploration and preparation activities, including monthly career days, career fairs, and short-term enrichment classes. Connects with community partners as needed.
• Conducts youth assessments to move them toward services best suited to meet their needs.
• Documents outcomes that support grant deliverables, including peer engagement, youth satisfaction, and skill development.
• Tracks youth hours, stipend payments, and transportation support as needed.
• Maintains accurate records and ensures timely reporting of activities, outcomes, and program performance measures on a regular schedule.
• Conducts program evaluation to ensure programming success; modifies programming as needed based on results.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT + ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engages in productive and respectful communications with JI leadership and colleagues.
• Serves as a positive ambassador of JI to external parties. • Displays a positive attitude, works well with others, and accepts direction well.
• Works well under stressful and emotionally-taxing circumstances and engages in effective self-care.
• Works effectively with those representing a variety of needs and abilities, with varying socioeconomic, cultural, and racial backgrounds.
• Recognizes that we hold attitudes and beliefs that can detrimentally influence our perceptions of, and interactions with individuals who are diverse from ourselves.
• Treats children and families with respect, dignity, and empathy. Reviews work for accuracy, clarity, timeliness, and conformance with procedures and processes.
• Commits to JI’s organizational mission, vision, and operating philosophies in compliance with instructions, policies, and guidance.
• Assumes other tasks and duties as assigned. These tasks and duties may support other programs and departments from time-to-time and the broader JI mission.
• Available to provide services occasionally in evenings and weekends.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS + ABILITIES

• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks and create systems of follow-up to ensure task completion.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Function and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with a diverse population, modifying intervention strategies for different settings, levels of experience and education, and learning styles.
• Ability to plan and complete projects within designated timeframes.
• Ability to manage conflict constructively and apply problem-solving skills to develop solutions for unanticipated issues and challenges.
• Must be proficient in a Windows and web-based technology environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding work performed.
• Background checks, drug testing, education and previous employment verification required.
• A current, valid Colorado driver’s license and auto insurance.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college is required; one year of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience working within the juvenile justice system and/or three years of experience working with youth, and their families, who are considered at-risk

HIRING RANGE

$45,000-50,000 annually, with an additional 15.35% stipend allowance to provide for health insurance and savings plans.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams). Knowledge of and comfort with internet tools is desirable (e.g., Zoom, Safari, Google Chrome).

LANGUAGE + MATH + REASONING ABILITY

• Read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

CERTIFICATES + LICENSES

Current, valid Colorado driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Remote working may be necessary; travel is primarily within the Pikes Peak Region, with occasional travel to surrounding areas in Colorado. For positions that do not have a dedicated JI office, work will be conducted at home, in JI’s open office space, and/or within the community. Staff working at the youth shelter will be required to work indoors as well as outside. A laptop computer and cell phone will be provided for every employee regardless of office space designation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.