Overnight Youth Advocate

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Saint Paul, MN

3d•$17 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

The major function of the Youth Advocate is to assist and respect youth at Booth Brown House shelter and housing programs. This is accomplished by spending quality time with youth, planning programming that enhances youth independence, and supporting office and clerical tasks of the program. Youth Advocates also assist with promoting positive program dynamics, supporting youth with program expectations and emotional support to youth.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED required.
Licensing requires staff to be at least 21 years of age and older.
Ability to accept supervision and work with a team of co-workers.
Ability to work well with youth of diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups, respect confidentiality, able to work within ethical and legal parameters of social services.
Willingness to support the philosophy, goals, mission, and objectives of The Salvation Army.
Must pass the background checks.
Must have the ability to operate a computer, use a keyboard to enter information.
It must be understood by the incumbent that the provisions of Safe From Harm will apply upon commencement of employment and also understood that the required Safe From Harm training be satisfactorily completed within the first thirty (30) days of employment.
Ability to deal with a variety of variables.
Able to interpret various instructions.
Ability to perform basic mathematical functions.
Ability to perform intermediate mathematical functions (averages, percentages, money management, etc.).
Ability to read a variety of books, magazines, instruction manuals, atlases and encyclopedias.
Ability to prepare memos, reports, and essays using proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Ability to communicate distinctly with appropriate pauses and emphasis; correct punctuation and variation in word order, using present, perfect, and future tenses.
Ability to speak, read and write fluent English.

Nice To Haves

Two years of college preferred.
Experience working in a social service setting preferred.
Must complete CPI, CPR, and First Aid within 90 days of the date of hire.

Responsibilities

Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
Meet and greet all youth in a professional and courteous manner.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with youth.
Orient new youth to the rules of policies of Booth Brown House programs.
Professionally communicate positive and problematic observations about youth.
Assist with the storage of belongings left by youth and the return or disposal of their belongings 60 days after discharge.
Support youth in working towards their self-identified goals.
Assist youth in locating resources and services within the community.
Facilitate groups, activities and classes as appropriate that foster positive youth development and independent living skills.
Create an environment where youth are able to optimize their life chances and raise their self-esteem.
Approach from a non-judgmental standpoint.
Complete Ramsey County paperwork for funding purposes.
Conduct Shelter Intakes.
Discharge youth from shelter program.
Maintain accurate, professional, and non-judgmental entries in the Communication Logs and daily charting.
Read all pertinent communications, including but not limited to daily logs, meeting notes, safety plans, etc.
Complete all other necessary paperwork, such as incident reports and all other relevant stats as directed.
Arrive to work on time. Uphold current policies regarding proper notification when missing a shift.
Attend educational opportunities when appropriate.
Participate in supervision meetings.
Full-time staff are required to attend all monthly staff meetings and in-services. Any absence must be pre-approved by supervisor.
Answer telephone pleasantly and efficiently. Identify calling party and transfer to appropriate staff or provide general information. Screen and identify incoming visitors to the building.
Answer phone for FHPAP Grant. Track required statistics and update YSN for BBH shelter and Safe House shelter.
Utilize effective conflict resolution techniques to de-escalate situations, if needed.
Support youth in abiding by program policies and expectations to assist them to maintain their housing and live within community. Equally apply reasonable consequences to youth in the program.
Monitor the building, residents and guests by completing frequent rounds and reviewing of cameras as needed.
Ensure shelter has staff supervision during operating hours.
Assist with random urinalysis.
Read and abide by all safety plans and behavior contracts established for youth.
Contact emergency personnel and on-call supervisor as appropriate during crisis situations.
Tend to all safety concerns in a timely manner.
Clean and disinfect any area that is contaminated by a youth’s body fluid in a safe and prompt manner.
General housekeeping in shelter and housing programs. This would include, but not limited to: youth common spaces, staff offices, laundry rooms and shelter bedrooms/bathrooms.
Clean and prepare apartments between tenants.
Inventory, pack and store youth belongings as needed.
Ensure that all soiled Booth Brown House laundry is washed, dried and appropriately stored.
Assist with snow/ice removal at all building entrances and sidewalks.
Complete maintenance requests as needed.
Submit requisitions for office and cleaning supplies as needed.