Youth Development Advocate

Description

Job Title: Youth Development Advocate

Salary: $25 per hour

Hours: Up to 20 hours per week; Non-exempt

Reports to: Director of Youth Development

Location: As assigned

1. JOB PURPOSE

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County takes changing the lives of youth to heart. We go above and beyond to ensure that every youth who walks through our doors has a world-class club experience that provides them with the opportunity for a GREAT FUTURE!

The primary functions of the Youth Development Advocate will be assigning, monitoring, and organizing cases for social work. They will be directly involved in the lives of the youths, and provide resources and assistance. As a Youth Development Advocate, you will work with youth to help them navigate life's challenges and achieve their full potential

2. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Build positive relationships with young people and their families

· Provide individual and group support to young people

· Develop and deliver programs and activities that promote personal and social development

· Assist young people in setting and achieving goals

· Advocate for young people and provide referrals to additional services when needed

· Maintain accurate records of interactions with young people and families

· Accessing Youth needs, and developing strategies to assist with those needs

· Providing support and resources for youth; good working relationship with support networks, government resources, and community resources

· Researching and referring resources such as health and childcare

· Assigning social workers to respond to crises that affect youth and vulnerable or mentally unstable adults

· Determining the correct course of action when helping youth, whether it be with a social worker, psychologist, or medical doctor

· Creating programs and services to benefit youths and the community

· Listening and providing help and advice for youth and adults

· Caring for the well-being of youth and helping a wide range of youth, including people with serious illnesses, addictions, disabilities, or who have been neglected

· Organizing and influencing community and policymakers to develop programs, policies, and services to assist in social work

· Advocating and raising awareness on behalf of youth and the needs of the community and local services

· Assisting Youth by providing a family social worker, clinical social worker, school social worker, or healthcare social worker 

· Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to provide additional resources and opportunities for young people

· Consult with youth, families, schools, and/or community contacts to effectively monitor participants’ progress. 

· Collect and maintain outcome data for project and client files. 

· Provide data for reports as needed. 

· Assist with program revision to reflect emerging community issues and current youth culture.

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

· Develop and implement programs to support the emotional, social, and academic growth of young people

· Work with young people to identify their strengths and areas for improvement and develop individualized plans to help them achieve their goals

· Provide support and guidance to youth in a safe and confidential environment

· Collaborate with community organizations and schools to promote positive youth development

· Conduct outreach and engage with young people to build relationships and gain trust

· Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement

· Complete any additional assignments as requested by the Vice President of Specialized Programs

3. QUALIFICATIONS

BACKGROUND SCREENING

· Must submit to and pass Level 2 background screening through the Florida Department of Children & Families.

· Must pass pre-employment drug test 

Certifications 

· Current CPR/First Aid certification preferred.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE 

· Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, healthcare or medical and related fields required; Master's degree in social work preferred;

· Previous case management work experience servicing the youth population

· Licensed or certified by state board according to regulatory

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

· Treat all club members, parents/guardians, co-workers, supervisors, and people in the community with respect and dignity.

· Maintain confidentiality of participants. 

· Team performance

· Preparing cases

· Child protection

· Conflict management

· Follow policies, procedures, and rules of the organization.

· Communicate to immediate supervisor any pertinent contact from family, school, or significant others.

· Must have knowledge of Microsoft software including but not limited to excel, word, etc.

Travel

Some travel may be required for training and/or other business purposes.

4. Working conditions

Our offices, neighborhood-based clubhouses, and school-based clubs are strategically located in areas of St. Lucie County where youth need us most. Based on the organization's needs, the flexibility to work different schedules and work in different locations in St. Lucie County is required due to changing business demands. Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie is an equal opportunity employer and a smoke, drug, and alcohol-free workplace.

5. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling, stooping/kneeling, reaching with hands and arms, and finger dexterity. 

· This position requires extended talking, listening, sitting, walking, and standing; computer viewing, and keyboard entry. Regularly lifting up to 25 pounds. 

· Daily operation of personal motor vehicles relevant to carrying out job duties is required for this position. 

· Ability to think strategically and ability to sit for more than four hours per day.

6. Other

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time with or without notice.