Family Advocate

SAN DIEGO YOUTH SERVICES • San Diego, CA

1d • $23 • Onsite

About The Position

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Family Advocate in the Adoption Support Services program to be based in San Diego. This is a full-time & nonexempt position reporting to the Program Manager.

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 840,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

Adoption Support Services provides an array of support to families who have in the past adopted, or are in the process of adopting, foster youth (ages 2-18) in San Diego County.

Family Advocates (4) collaborate as part of a team to provide comprehensive, strengths-based support services to adoptive families across the county. Services include mentor/tutoring support, social and recreational activities (e.g., movie and game nights, outings), support groups, parent coaching, resource navigation, and referrals. The role focuses on promoting youth development, strengthening family relationships, and enhancing overall family well-being.

We are seeking a dynamic, organized, and compassionate individual to join our Family Advocate team. This collaborative program offers the opportunity to utilize your creativity, social service skills, and passion to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their adoptive families throughout San Diego. This is a full-time, non-exempt position based in our College Heights office and reports directly to the Adoption Support Services Program Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field, or equivalent experience; minimum of 2 years’ experience in social preferred.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop, skills in trauma-informed care, attachment, and working with adoptive families and/or the foster care system.
• Experience with case management, group facilitation, and documentation preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including compassion, empathy, active listening, creativity, and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and ability to learn and utilize agency case management systems.
• Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends to support program activities and events.
• Must have a reliable vehicle, relevant auto insurance, a clean driving record, and be willing to drive throughout San Diego County (mileage reimbursement available).
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Must successfully complete all required pre-employment clearances, including TB test, drug screening, and background check.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized mentor/tutoring support to youth in home, school, or community-based settings throughout the county.
• Facilitate group mentor/tutoring sessions in office and community settings.
• Maintain consistent communication with assigned families to offer emotional support, assess needs, and connect them to appropriate resources and referrals.
• Assist in the development and facilitation of social skills groups and enrichment activities for toddlers, school-age youth, pre-teens, and teens.
• Collaborate in planning and facilitating at least four Friday night movie/game nights across the county and a minimum of one Saturday outing per month.
• Support coordination of staff, volunteers, and external mentors/tutors, including matching, onboarding/training, and collecting satisfaction surveys.
• Conduct phone intakes to obtain referral information, determine eligibility, and identify family needs.
• Complete comprehensive family assessments, develop service plans, and connect families to appropriate supports, resources, and referrals.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation, data collection, and compliance with contract and program requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

Benefits

• SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution.
• SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees