PEER ADVOCATE at Children's Law Center of California

Description

POSITION TITLE: PEER ADVOCATE 

Reports to: Supervising Attorney 

Salary: $22.44/hr.  

Job Snapshot

The Peer Advocate will work closely with CLC’s transition age youth (TAY) clients, particularly those youth who are young adults in foster care (known as Non-Minor Dependents “NMD”) and their attorneys, helping to ensure youth have access to the necessary resources and services to prepare for life after foster care. In addition, the Peer Advocate will work directly with our teenage clients outside of the courtroom and in the community, collaborating with a cross sector of child welfare, workforce, educational and other community, and county agencies working with transitioning age youth.  

The Peer Advocate will focus on “hard to reach youth” – those who face the most barriers and are at the greatest risk of teen pregnancy and early parenthood, involvement with the criminal justice system, have experienced challenges in reaching educational goals and who lack family support.   

Requirements

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

· Collaborate with community organizations in helping clients. prepare for job readiness and improving access and pathways to higher education. 

· Collaborate daily with attorneys and staff in serving and advocating for youth. 

· Contribute to CLC policy and programming discussions regarding TAY and NMD clients.  

· Represent CLC at invited community events forums and trainings.  

· Urgently respond to any inquiries regarding case status from direct Investigator Supervisor.  

· Seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required.  

· Be flexible and willing to assist other Peer Advocates as requested by supervisors. 

· Be professional, patient, and understanding when interacting with clients, caregivers, colleagues, and supervisors.  

· Communicate effectively with colleagues and supervisors.  

· Have a collaborative mindset and willingness to help out.

· Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.  

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications   

· Lived experience in the foster care system as a former foster youth.  

· At least 18 years of age.  

· Must possess a high school diploma or GED.  

· Willingness and ability to travel.  

· A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

· Excellent interpersonal skills.  

· Ability and desire to communicate with and represent CLC to various communities, stakeholders and system entities.  

· Ability to effectively and clearly communicate with CLC management, staff, youth and caregivers.  

· Have an operable mobile phone at all times while working for Children’s Law Center. 

Perks + Benefits Employees of CLC Enjoy:

Health + Wellbeing

· Employee Assistance Program

· Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance) *

· Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan*

· Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options* 

· Fitness/Wellness Program*

· Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA * 

· Transit + Parking Benefits * 

Growth + Development

· Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.

Flexibility + Additional 

· Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)

· Paid vacation/sick/holiday time

· CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. 

* Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment

About CLC

CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.

CLC recognizes the importance of bringing together a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and talents across all roles, and we encourage candidates with varied backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. CLC is committed to fair and welcoming practices in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment : All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, individual with disability, medical condition, marital status, ancestry, military status, veteran status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected group status or non-job related characteristic of an individual as directed by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity—Reasonable Accommodation Assistance: Children’s Law Center of California is committed to maintaining an environment of equal opportunity. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided by this organization, please contact [email protected] further assistance regarding job postings.