Level Up Youth Mentor

Position Summary:
Under general supervision, the Youth Advocate provides direct, individualized support to youth ages 8–18 enrolled in CAPC’s trauma-informed, culturally responsive Family Services program. The role focuses on mentoring, emotional regulation, violence prevention, case management, and school re-engagement to reduce youth involvement in firearm-related violence and strengthen positive developmental outcomes.

The Youth Advocate works in close collaboration with the Family Advocate as a team, ensuring coordinated support for both youth and caregivers. Through consistent, strengths-based engagement, the Youth Advocate builds trusting relationships, promotes resilience, and helps youth develop the skills, connections, and protective factors necessary for long-term wellbeing.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Promote and maintain a sense of collaboration at CAPC.
• Represent the agency consistently and professionally, always modeling a commitment to its Mission and Values.
• Have a solid working knowledge of all the rules, regulations, and laws that apply to assigned position/program.
• Assure program continuity, quality and compliance.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse staff, parents, children and community members.
• Develop and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships with other stakeholders to ensure support of the agency’s vision, mission, and values.
• Attention to detail and following directions with thoroughness and accuracy.
• Work on multiple tasks and switch among tasks.
• Respond appropriately to difficult and sensitive matters.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Abide by the CAPC Characteristics and DNA.
• Other duties, both program-specific and CAPC-related, as assigned.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC DUTIES:

The duties listed below are intended to describe the essential functions of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Youth Outreach & Engagement

• Conduct strengths-based outreach and engagement with eligible youth referred to the program, meeting youth where they are — including in the home, school, community, or other appropriate settings — to reduce barriers to participation.
• Provide services in environments that are accessible and comfortable for the youth, ensuring the program does not create obstacles that require youth or families to travel unnecessarily.
• Build consistent, trusting mentoring relationships using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
• Serve as a positive adult role model who promotes pro-social behaviors and healthy decision-making.

2. Youth Assessment & Goal Planning

• Complete youth-centered assessments to identify strengths, risk factors, interests, and service needs related to violence exposure, school engagement, peer relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
• Collaboratively develop individualized youth service plans aligned with program goals and coordinated with family service plans.
• Regularly review and adjust goals to support measurable progress and responsiveness to changing needs.

3. Mentoring & Skill Development

• Provide structured one-on-one mentoring in settings most appropriate to the youth (home, school, or community), focused on emotional regulation, conflict resolution, communication skills, and problem-solving.
• Facilitate discussions and activities that promote self-awareness, resilience, leadership, and accountability.
• Reinforce nonviolent coping strategies and safe decision-making in high-risk situations.
• Deliver structured, evidence-informed curriculum with youth, guiding them through skill-building lessons focused on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, communication, conflict resolution, and positive decision-making. Ensure fidelity to the curriculum while integrating lessons into individualized youth service plans and reinforcing real-life application.

4. Violence Prevention & Risk Reduction

• Identify and address risk factors associated with youth involvement in firearm-related violence.
• Support youth in developing personal safety strategies and peer boundary-setting skills.
• Promote alternatives to violence through positive peer engagement, extracurricular involvement, and community-based activities.

5. School Re-Engagement & Academic Support

• Support youth in improving school attendance, participation, and academic motivation.
• Collaborate with schools, when appropriate, to monitor progress and address barriers to engagement,
• Assist with school engagement, including attendance monitoring, academic mentoring, and participation in IEP, 504, and SST meetings; empower families to self-advocate as appropriate.

6. Family & Caregiver Collaboration

• Maintain consistent communication with the Family Advocate to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Support caregiver involvement in youth goals while respecting youth voice and confidentiality guidelines.
• Participate in joint family meetings when appropriate to reinforce consistency between youth and caregiver supports.

7. Case Management & Resource Linkage

• Connect youth to community resources such as tutoring, recreational programs, workforce development, mental health services, and pro-social enrichment activities.
• Provide warm hand-offs and follow-up to ensure successful engagement with referred services.

8. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of contacts, progress notes, service plans, and outcome measures in accordance with funding and agency requirements.
• Track progress toward measurable outcomes related to violence prevention, emotional regulation, and school engagement.
• Participate in data collection and program evaluation activities.

9. Professional Practice & Compliance

• Adhere to agency policies, confidentiality standards, and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Participate in ongoing training in trauma-informed care, youth development, cultural responsiveness, and violence prevention strategies.
• Maintain professional boundaries while fostering authentic, supportive relationships with youth.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in social services, child development, psychology, education, or a closely related field preferred, not required.

Experience:

• Minimum of one year of relevant experience working with children, youth (ages 8–18), and families in supportive, mentoring, case management, or community-based roles.
• Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for engaging and supporting youth in building strengths, resilience, and protective factors.
• Experience implementing trauma-informed, culturally responsive, or evidence-based programs, including curriculum delivery, is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting school engagement, academic mentoring, and youth participation in prosocial activities is preferred.
• Lived experience and strong connections within the local community are considered valuable assets.

Knowledge of:

• Child welfare issues, child development, and child abuse prevention.
• Trauma-informed care, protective factors, and social-emotional development frameworks.
• Community-based social networks and resources relevant to youth, including knowledge of the Stockton area and local organizations.

Technical Skills:

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook).
• Ability to learn case management systems, database tracking, and other software as required.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, for family engagement and community events.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including cultural competence, motivational interviewing, and relationship-building abilities with youth and families

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must pass a health physical and provide a T.B. clearance.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint clearance in accordance with applicable law. CAPC complies with California Fair Chance Act regarding consideration of criminal history.
• Must agree to a DMV record report compliant with the agency’s liability insurance requirements.
• Must have a car, a valid California driver’s license, and proof of automobile insurance. If driving on agency business, employee must maintain insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements of California law and agency policy.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CAPC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

Community & Collaboration Statement

Striving to create an experience of value, connection, and belonging.

At-Will Employment Statement

Employment with CAPC is at-will. This means that either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. Nothing in this job description is intended to create a contract of employment or alter the at-will nature of the relationship.

Funding Disclaimer

This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon continued funding. The position may be eliminated due to loss of funding or organizational restructuring.