Youth Advocate
TITLE: Youth Advocate
DEPARTMENT: Community Services
REPORT TO: Emergency Services Program Manager
DEPARTMENT: Community Services
REPORT TO: Emergency Services Program Manager
SALARY RANGE: 7
CLASSIFICATION: 10
STATUS: Non-Exempt Position
CLASSIFICATION: 10
STATUS: Non-Exempt Position
JOB SUMMARY
The Youth Advocate is responsible for meeting the Agency’s mission as a team member by providing guidance, outreach, supportive services and referrals to resources to youth experiencing homelessness. The Youth Advocate will provide support services, referrals to resources, and encouragement to youth experiencing homelessness ages 16-24. The Youth Advocate will assist youth participants with creating their personal goals, identify barriers, and assist youth receiving assistance through the Homeless Youth Act Program in creating a personalized case plan which will focus on building skills and strengths with direction and support in order to increase financial resilience. The Youth Advocate will make connections within the community to spread awareness of youth homelessness. The Youth Advocate will be responsible for street outreach to ALL homeless individuals, as well as youth.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
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High School Diploma or equivalent and additional training
Education may be waived with significant job related experience
Experience
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More than 1 year
Authorization
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BCA Background Study
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Valid Driver’s License
Work Environment
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Conventional – Office model
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Community Facing – Direct interaction or communication with a public.
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Activity-Based – Workers can switch between different workspaces.
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Remote – Work from a remote location outside of the office.
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Hybrid – Flexible work model that is a blend of in-office, remote, and/or on-the-go.
SKILLS, ABILITIES, & OTHER KNOWLEDGE
Skills
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Excellent oral and/or written communications skills.
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Ability to manage time that results in both a satisfactory quantity and quality of work.
Ability
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Support the Mission of the Agency through daily work and while representing the Agency in public.
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Have general knowledge of programs and activities of the Agency.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
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Must be able to handle diverse work problems on a daily basis.
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Must be able to organize a work schedule, set priorities and work effectively to meet deadlines without supervision.
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Must be able to adjust to changes necessitated by last minute assignments and deadlines requests that may prove stressful.
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Ability to effectively work across differences, especially socio-economic and cultural differences.
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Attend trainings, classes and meetings as necessary to improve job skills and maintain an acceptable level of job performance.
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Serve as a mentor for new staff.
Other Knowledge
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Have knowledge and apply Agency policies and procedures, including safety, technology, data practices and other applicable policy, procedure and program regulations.
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Understand numbers and mathematical concepts.
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Knowledge of public and private sources of debt equity and subsidy.
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Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local guidelines, codes, regulations, for implementation and reporting requirements.
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Knowledge of Community resources.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned.
Area 1: Program Operations
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General responsibility for identifying potential youth participants ages 16-24 by:
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Conducting assessments and explaining program services;
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Assisting potential youth participants with various program applications;
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Accurately review, verify, prepare, maintain and submit necessary program documentation in a timely manner to determine eligibility as needed;
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Engaging the youth participant to develop an individualized plan(s) including goals, strategies and time frames;
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Evaluating the level and type of supportive services based on youth participant goals and program guidelines;
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Maintain timely contact with participants verbally, in writing, in person and/or virtually through phone, email, post delivered letters or home visits.
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Conduct community street outreach in areas where homeless individuals and families are known to stay or frequent.
Area 2: Program Compliance
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Conduct activities appropriate to the youth program goals of the Agency and Department as required.
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Actively collaborate with team members, volunteers, program participants and/or community partners in working towards achieving youth program goals and objectives.
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Inform the supervisor and/or Department management of potential problems of youth programming dealing with procedures and policies.
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Entering youth participant data into data collection systems
Area 3: Program Communications
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Actively participate and assist in assigned program, community, committees and staff meetings and/or training sessions.
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Dealing discreetly, tactfully and diplomatically with youth participants, co-workers, funders, community organizations, partners, and or government officials while maintaining client confidentiality and conducting oneself in a professional manner.
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Organize and/or present at community forums, write pieces for publications, and participate in youth networking meetings, in-person and/or virtually.
Area 4: Development Assistance
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Coordinate new and maintaining existing partnerships and on-going communication between the Agency and its partners for all youth programs.
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Continue the development of outreach centers for homeless and at-risk youth.
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Host community meetings to discuss what youth and rural homelessness looks like in our communities to assist in community based development of homeless services centers.
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Ability to suggest programmatic and resource recommendations to improve or develop programs.
JOB FACTORS
Supervision of Others
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Not responsible for supervision of others
Safety of Others
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Responsible for the physical safety of the public served. Provides front-line response to public safety and/or health threats. Provides input into safety policies and procedures.
Contacts
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Contact is both inside and outside the agency, and includes regular making of formal presentations, negotiations or coordination of work.
Physical Demand
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Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
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Requires sitting, standing, bending, stooping and reaching.
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Physical ability to operate equipment specific to your position.
Travel
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Must have reliable transportation.
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Must have valid driver’s license and current auto insurance coverage in compliance with Minnesota State guidelines on the vehicle used for work related travel.
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Travel for completion of job duties, trainings and meetings as required.
GENERAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS
Professionalism
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Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters good relations with customers, co-workers, providers, volunteers and supervisors.
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Treat customers, co-workers and public in a respectful and courteous manner at all times.
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Continue to develop skills and abilities.
Community Representation
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Represent Lakes and Pines Community Action, Inc. in a positive manner.
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Adhere to the Community Action Code of Ethics.
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Seek to understand poverty and barriers faced by community members.
Confidentiality
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Maintain confidentiality of agency, program and customer information.
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Contractor
In accordance with federal and state laws, Lakes and Pines CAC is an equal opportunity employer, contractor and provider of services. The Agency will maintain a
policy of non– discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. All aspects of employment within
the Agency will be governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any
manner by race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, public assistance status, marital status, veteran status,
sexual orientation, or gender identity,status as a parent, familial status, or in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.
If an applicant needs reasonable accommodations for the employment application process, please contact Lakes and Pines either by phone, mail, email or in person and request such consideration. (Such as sign language, interpreter, materials in large print, accessibility)
Individuals are encouraged to complete an Employment Application form whether or not a vacancy currently exists. Employment applications will be kept on file for one year and will be considered for appropriate job vacancies.
If an applicant needs reasonable accommodations for the employment application process, please contact Lakes and Pines either by phone, mail, email or in person and request such consideration. (Such as sign language, interpreter, materials in large print, accessibility)
Individuals are encouraged to complete an Employment Application form whether or not a vacancy currently exists. Employment applications will be kept on file for one year and will be considered for appropriate job vacancies.