Youth Advocate - Foster Care (1st, 2nd or 3rd Shift)

*** Job is located in Harper Woods, MD ***

General Summary:

Reports directly to the Youth Advocate/Life Skill Coach Supervisor. Supervises youth in daily activities using the organization’s Life Skills Building Model as a basis for change. Supports the social service workers function by providing information needed to treatment planning ad recommending appropriate goals and objectives.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate Life Skills Building curriculum and educational support at least 4 hours a week to assigned youth.
• Respond to emergency situations or AWOL incidents. Notifies supervisor on duty or designee to obtain support and direction.
• Provide positive role modeling for youth.
• Provide case management consisting of but not limited to:
• Supportive services
• Monitoring of youth/family as they work towards agreed upon goals
• Identifying and linking to community resources
• Advocating on behalf of the youth/family
• Follow-up services
• Data reporting
• Attend required trainings/meetings as required by MDHHS.
• Other duties assigned

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge, training, interest in working with adolescents, family resources, and educational systems.
• Strong engagement skills and ability to develop positive working relationships with youth, families, staff, and other professionals.
• Very good organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Attention to detail in documentation, analyzing information, and using data to appropriately create reports.
• Must possess knowledge and skills working with multi-problem families.
• Ability to establish priorities and multi-task.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and proven ability to adapt to new technology.
• Must be flexible and receptive to changing priorities as a result of meeting the contract, organization, and program needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (is preferred) in one of the following human service areas: social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, or counseling psychology, or a related area. A minimum of 2 years of experience working with multi-problem families and/or child welfare system.
• Associate degree in one of the following human service areas: social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, or counseling psychology, a related area or vocational degree with a minimum of 3 or more years of work experience working with multi-problem families and/or child welfare system.
• High school diploma with 7 years of experience working with homeless, runaway, or at-risk youth, of which at least two years shall be within an organization that works with children.
• Valid and current driver’s license
• Crisis Intervention Training (preferred)

Shifts Available:

• 7am-3pm
• 3 pm-11 pm
• 11 pm-7 am