Job Description

Youth and Family Advocate

Safer Futures

Full-Time, 40 Hours/Week

$38,500/Year

This position provides all direct services to children whose parent(s) receive(d) shelter and/or services. This position provides supportive services for transitional age youth who receive(d) shelter and/or services.

SUPERVISOR: Assistant Director

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and empowerment options, emotional support and advocacy to/for children currently and formerly in shelter.

• Ensure all children over the age of 5 have discussed an age-appropriate safety plan.

• Complete intakes on children in shelter within 48 hours and enter information into the data management system.

• Complete information required by funders for youth-based programming, send completed reporting information to Assistant Director, and enter information into the data management system.

• Organize, conduct and supervise children’s support group(s).

• Coordinate childcare as needed with parent’s permission and in coordination with Assistant Director and/or Director.

• Plan and implement age-appropriate children’s activities and outings with parent’s permission.

• Ensure children have a balance of age-appropriate activities including homework, crafts, exercise and group to help reduce stress and create a daily routine.

• Provide for the health, safety and welfare of the children who are receiving services. This includes referring children, when necessary, to health screenings, counseling or other services.

• Ensure adequate and appropriate toys and games are available for children and that they are maintained in good working order. Oversee the cleaning and sterilizing of children’s playroom including toys.

• Develop educational programming for children housed in the shelter.

• Work with schools as needed to ensure children have access to tutors and programs for which they qualify, including free lunch. Assist parent(s) in arranging transportation with school-of-origin.

• Coordinate training and supervise program volunteers.

• Develop and enforce children’s house rules in an appropriate manner.

• Maintain relationships with community partners.

• Represent children’s programming at Family and Children’s First Council, trauma informed care sub-committee and/or others as instructed.

• Create and coordinate community-based trainings around dating violence, child abuse prevention, and child/youth specific needs and dynamics related to DV, IPV, HT, and SA.

• Attend staff meetings, participate in service training, related professional training as instructed by the Assistant Director and/or Director.

• Report suspected child abuse to supervisor immediately.

• Comply with agency policies and procedures, COA regulations, federal and state requirements, and educational/certification/registry requirements.

The Duties and Responsibilities above represent the most significant duties of this position, but do not exclude other assignments that would be within the qualification and responsibility levels of this position.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in early childhood education, social work, counseling or related field preferred.

• Knowledge of dynamics of domestic violence as well as experience working with children and teens preferred.

• Strong understanding of child development and effective and appropriate behavior management techniques.

• Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills.

• Ability to model open communication, fair and equitable treatment, and management of conflicts.

• Ability to work as a team member.

• Experience in utilizing community resources.

• Ability to work in a stressful/crisis-oriented environment.

• Ability to work with people of differing backgrounds.

• Flexibility and compassion in working with families in crisis as well as volunteers.

• Ability to become First Aid and CPR certified.

• Must be able to meet agency requirements for criminal background check (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation).

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• High School diploma or GED

• Valid Ohio Driver’s License and ability to meet agency requirements for driving insurability.

COMPLIANCE:

This position requires compliance with AFS’ written standards, including its Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

Failure to comply with AFS’ Written Standards, which may include the failure to report any conduct or event that potentially violates legal or compliance requirements or AFS’ Written Standards or, for managers and supervisors, fails to detect non-compliant conduct where reasonable efforts would have resulted in detection, will be met by the enforcement of disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination, in accordance with AFS’ Compliance Program Policy and Procedure: Addressing Instances of Non-Compliance through Appropriate Disciplinary Actions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and use hands to finger handle or feel; to talk; or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to frequently lift up to 25 pounds. The employee may occasionally be required to lift 25 to 50 pounds; however, this is not essential; duties may be shifted to accommodate lifting restrictions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less). The employee will occasionally be working near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and exposed to a risk of electrical shock while running the copier, printer, other standard equipment and answering the telephone. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. Stress level can be high at times.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job.