Youth Advocate Juvenile Justice

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following, other duties may be assigned: 

1.  Thinks, communicates and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.

2. Works with youth who have high needs and through individual and group guidance in a classroom based setting utilizing trauma informed care practices and refers students and their families to community agencies once needs are assessed and determined.

3. Collaborates with others who have a direct impact on the youth’s life; including family, school administration, teachers, recreation agencies, employers, and health & social agencies; and with other YMCA programs such as Community Strengthening, Child Care, and Branch operations. 

4. Together with the Guidance Counselor, develops program and transition plans for participating youth to ensure they successfully complete assigned work, have resources in place to return to school, and have the opportunity to receive necessary supports during programming and upon exit.

5. Designs, implements, and coordinates learning opportunities to address the needs of the youth participating in the Juvenile Justice program (i.e. anger management, substance abuse, trauma informed care, etc.)

6. Ensures that youth understand the procedures and expectations by clearly communicating and enforcing established rules in a positive manner.

7. Observes students for signs of disruptive behavior such as violence, verbal outbursts, and episodes of destructiveness and diffuse situations using safe and effective tools and techniques.

8.  Teaches and models socially acceptable behavior employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.

9. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with youth, participates in required abuse risk management training, reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors, follows mandated abuse reporting requirements, adheres to job-specific abuse risk management responsibilities.

10. Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and viewpoints from all social and economic segments of the organization and community. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism is expected from our staff.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in social work, criminal justice, education, psychology, or related field; one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.

• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations. 

• Must have working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.

• Passionate belief in the Y’s cause of nurturing the potential of all youth, supporting healthy living for all people and finding ways to help and support our neighbors.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and viewpoints from all social and economic segments of the organization and community. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism is expected from our staff. 

• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.

• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations. 

• YMCA Team Leader certification; if not certified, must obtain certification within 12 months

• CPR, First Aid, AED and O2 certifications must be obtained within 90 days.

• All staff must complete the Y’s safety training through their Kronos checklist and all applicable paperwork in the checklist prior to their first day of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.