Student Advocate

ELMCREST CHILDRENS CENTER INC•City of Syracuse, NY

6d•$18 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Advocate works with children placed at Elmcrest, using a child-centered approach to support their best interests and create the individual and environmental conditions needed for change. The role provides a safe, secure, nurturing learning environment and uses everyday opportunities to teach, guide, and support students’ treatment, goals, and academic success. Scheduling is arranged to meet program staffing ratios and coverage needs. A regular set schedule is expected, though schedules may be adjusted for non-school days. The Student Advocate supports residents’ behavioral, emotional, intellectual, developmental, and educational progress; follows their treatment and education plans; supervises and supports them during daily routines; and builds appropriate, positive relationships. The position also involves documentation, school meetings, reporting suspected maltreatment, and following agency policies. When working in cottages during wake-up routines and on non-school days, the Student Advocate performs all Youth Development Professional responsibilities. Elmcrest Children’s Center is an equal opportunity employer and will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities unless accommodation would create a direct threat that cannot be eliminated or an undue hardship. Employment is at will.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to relate to a dynamic environment and adapt and solve problems when unanticipated challenges arise.
Self-awareness and comfort interacting with children.
Ability to provide crisis intervention, including physical restraints; required agency training is provided.
Ability to understand and demonstrate Boys Town and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention principles of care.
Ability to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
Ability to perform restraint-related movements, which may include applying resistive force, bending, squatting, kneeling, lying down, and holding youth to maintain safety.
Ability to sit, squat, crouch, and stand for extended periods.
Ability to lift arms overhead in a reaching motion.
Ability to walk up and down stairs several times per day.
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance, free from major infractions and acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier.
Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and conduct consistent with agency policies, the Code of Conduct, and regulatory and ethical guidelines.
Use professional practices and techniques when interacting with children, families, and coworkers.
Be willing to learn new skills and information that support professional development and Elmcrest’s mission.
Show dedication to serving children and families with passion and empathy.
Value human dignity, respect others, and seek diverse approaches and points of view.
Use self-reflection to improve actions or results, listen to feedback, and maintain positive workplace relationships.

Nice To Haves

College education preferred.
Experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Create, support, and engage in a learning environment that helps each resident make individual behavioral, emotional, intellectual, developmental, and educational gains.
Teach and foster residents’ skill development according to their individual needs.
Interact with and intervene with residents in accordance with their treatment plans, Individualized Crisis Management Plans, and Individual Education Plans.
Support students during the wake-up routine in their cottages and walk them to school.
Develop and provide a safe and secure physical environment for each resident.
Provide continuous supervision of residents.
Use Therapeutic Crisis Intervention de-escalation techniques, including proximity, time and space, and caring gestures.
Develop and maintain appropriate, positive relationships with residents by demonstrating social boundaries and a supportive, non-threatening demeanor.
Actively involve residents in all facets of their educational day.
Complete assigned paperwork accurately and on time.
Attend regularly scheduled school meetings.
Report incidents of child maltreatment, neglect, or abuse.
Follow agency and department policies and procedures.
Perform other duties assigned by supervisors.
Perform all Youth Development Professional responsibilities when working in cottages during wake-up routines and on non-school days.