Hybrid Youth Advocate chez Journey Center for Safety and Healing

The Youth Advocate works to ensure that youth clients at Journey Center for Safety and Healing’s Emergency Shelter have a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for them to process their experiences. Under the general supervision of shelter leadership, the Youth Advocate provides support, advocacy, and general oversight of shelter operations and youth client wellbeing while clients are residing at shelter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

1. Facilitate intake process for new youth clients entering shelter and ensure completion of preliminary intake paperwork within 48 hours of arrival to shelter
2. Prepare all needed items for new clients coming into shelter (scrubs, blankets, sheets, toiletries, infant/child needs, etc.), ensure proper hotbox treatment of all client items and ensure unoccupied bedrooms are clean and ready for new intake
3. Facilitate support groups with children according to structure and design on youth program
4. Provide safe and fun activities for children, assist with art therapy, and transport children to school when mothers are present in the absence of alternative school transportation
5. Monitor safety of youth communal spaces (the activity room, art room, backyard, etc.) including but not limited to youth participating in group sessions, toys, and physical space
6. Foster communication with adult clients in regards to their children
7. Communicate and debrief following group sessions with Art Therapist, and youth program team
8. Provide support to Journey Center volunteers involved in youth programing
9. Exhibit knowledge of childhood development and compassion in work with children who have experienced domestic violence and/or child abuse
10. Assist in providing 24-hour coverage of shelter to ensure youth and adult clients have access to emergency assistance and supportive services while residing in shelter
11. Provide coverage of the Advocate Office, including answering business phone number and monitoring individuals entering and exiting shelter
12. Assist in answering the 24/7 helpline, conduct intakes and assessments with potential clients, and/or provide linkage to internal and external services as needed
    1. Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and resources to helpline callers
    2. Maintain accurate documentation of each helpline call
    3. Report known/suspected child abuse and complete necessary documentation
13. Develop and maintain case records in agency database that document services provided to clients in accordance with agency standards and funders
14. Carry out general operations of the shelter and ensures that services are provided to clients in compliance with the policies, procedures, and requirements of operation set forth by Journey Center and its funders
15. Provides a supportive environment for clients and listens to clients with a non-judgmental attitude
16. Responds to any crisis situations that arise during shift and when necessary, will notify the appropriate staff members
17. Review safety and risk management planning and participation in information sharing during weekly team meetings
18. Participate in staff meetings and other meetings as needed
19. Performs general housekeeping responsibilities, as needed, including sweeping floors, taking out garbage, stocking supplies for residents, washing linens, sorting donations and putting them away

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Respect, understand, and promote Journey Center’s mission, vision, values, and goals
2. Complete agency orientation and training to meet job requirements
3. Assume additional duties or special projects as needed or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience 
2. 2 years’ experience working with youth population required
3. Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage; Must maintain appropriate driving record
4. Experience working with victims of trauma, domestic violence and/or child abuse preferred
5. Must be available to work extended and non-traditional work hours; Have the ability to tailor work hours to the needs of families

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Working knowledge of community resources available for adult/child victims of domestic violence
2. Knowledge regarding domestic violence safety issues
3. Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
4. Sensitivity to working with diverse cultures and language abilities
5. Computer skills with word processing, database management, e-mail, fax, Windows applications capabilities
6. Ability to address crisis situations which require prompt decision and action
7. Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
8. Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing the operations of Journey Center for Safety and Healing
9. Ability to analyze problems and develop a plan of action/correction
10. Ability to organize work, engage in a variety of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines
11. Demonstrated sound judgment and outstanding interpersonal skills
12. Commitment to child abuse and domestic violence prevention
13. Experience in and commitment to building and supporting trauma informed organizations 
14. Maintain a positive attitude
15. Ability to incorporate Journey Center’s Values into assigned duties

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to operate a computer and keyboard
2. Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis
3. Ability to perform job responsibilities in a facility with multiple levels and without elevators
4. Must be available for extended and non-traditional work hours
5. Regular and predictable attendance

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.