Youth Advocate
Community Improvement and Job Training (CIJT)
Wisconsin Community Services
Position Summary: This position is a Youth Advocate for the Community Improvement & Job Training (CIJT) Program providing guidance and case management services to adolescents and young adults 16 - 23. The primary focus of the youth advocate is on the personal, social, cultural, and educational development of CIJT participants.

EssentialFunctions:

• Evaluate and assess the needs of youth ages 16-23 as they relate to the potential for actual gang involvement.
• Utilize evidence-based practices when providing direct services to the target population
• Develop innovative and engaging techniques to recruit and retain participants
• Provide one-on-one mentoring and career counseling to a caseload of 25-40 participants
• Facilitate workshops and plan activities that encompass the program's core outcomes; AODA education, Life Skills, Gang Prevention, and Employment Readiness.
• Develop and implement individual career and personal development plans.
• Maintain participant records and ensure the confidentiality of all participant information.
• Maintain a compilation of and utilize community resources.
• Support information is entered into an assigned database, as required by the funding source and Project Coordinator.
• Assist in orientation, training, oversight, and coordination of all CIJT programming
• Complete intake process and weekly progress notes according to program requirements
• Attend all team and other relevant meetings.

Working knowledge of child/youth development; gang behavior, and gang culture and effective programs and practices to reduce or eliminate gang involvement, patience, and understanding of difficult life situations; the ability to interact with escalating youth and young adults professionally; ability to follow oral and written instructions ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations proficient with Microsoft Word and basic computer functions uses time efficiently and effectively; ability to multi-task; sensitivity towards cultural, ethnic and disability issues.

ShouldhavesomeknowledgeinTABETesting,communityresources,andrecruitingskills.

MinimalQualificationsandSalarySchedule: Must have previous experience working with adolescent and adult gangs, at-risk youth, adolescents, and/or their families. Emphasis is on working with teams. BA/BS in Social Work, criminal justice, or social service-related field preferred, or equivalent experience. Must have insured automobile and valid driver's license. No convictions or license revocations that would fail a caregiver background check. Individuals must be able to interact at a comfortable level with at-risk youth and their families and with juveniles referred to the program.PM21

WorkRelationshipandScope:The position has no direct reports and will work with at-risk young adults ages 16-23. The participants served in this program will primarily reside in the neighborhoods surrounding the location and are the target population aimed at reducing violence in that area. The position performs a wide range of functions daily that will include using evidence-based practices and working closely with participants, community organizations, law enforcement, educational institutions, job training programs, and other resources that serve gang-involved adolescents and young adults.
Personal Attributes:

Follow agency Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; ethically conduct self; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, participants, and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability issues; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission

Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in the 53212 neighborhood and surrounding areas.
Hours are 10:00 am - 6:00 pm daily with some flexibility and weekends, as needed.

Physical Demands:Abilitytositforlongperiods,stand,reach,bend,climbstairs,andliftto30 pounds.PM21