Youth Advocate

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls • Chicago, IL

11h • Onsite

About The Position

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls seeks a Youth Advocate to support young people living in its residential programs. The role provides advocacy, guidance, coaching, supervision, and role modeling while helping youth and young adults build skills, pursue goals, and establish themselves in a secure environment. The Youth Advocate develops supportive relationships with youth and their caregiving systems, maintains professional boundaries, and works with interdisciplinary teams and external supports to provide individualized, trauma-responsive care consistent with the Mercy Model of Care.

This is a full-time role of 40 hours per week at the West Loop boys’ campus in Chicago. Schedules vary according to program needs, and weekend hours receive a pay differential. The pay range is $24–$25 per hour. The role may include supporting other programs, transporting youth, assisting with medication distribution, and using de-escalation and behavior-management techniques, including restraint when necessary.

Requirements

• At least 21 years of age.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or a high school diploma with at least five years of experience in youth development.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth; at least two years of experience is preferred, ideally with youth who have experienced developmental adversity or trauma.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, ability to safely drive a van, clear driving record, and ability to obtain and retain driving approval through the Department of Children and Family Services.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and adjust it to meet program and youth needs.
• Ability to work independently and as an active member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to accept, adopt, and implement feedback from supervisors and the team.
• Respect for clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and competence working with a diverse client population.
• Desire to work with and enjoyment of being around youth and young adults.
• Ability and willingness to create, initiate, and participate in recreational and therapeutic activities with youth.
• Relationship-building, active-listening, and coaching skills.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor, exercise judgment and discretion, respect others, remain open to feedback and viewpoints, and learn new skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to attend required Agency trainings and maintain training compliance, including flexibility to attend daytime trainings or sessions outside regularly scheduled hours.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and, with proper training, physically restrain youth.
• Commitment to the Agency’s mission, values, and goals.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least two years of experience working with youth, ideally youth who have experienced developmental adversity and/or trauma.

Responsibilities

• Build therapeutic relationships with youth and young adults and their caregiving systems while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Implement program structure through supportive supervision, guidance, and role modeling in the milieu.
• Coach youth and young adults, teach skills, support social problem-solving, and identify strengths, talents, and interests.
• Participate in weekly Advocate meetings and maintain weekly contact with support systems as applicable.
• Help youth and young adults plan and achieve goals across relevant domains.
• Engage youth in daily routines and activities by setting expectations and limits, recognizing positive behavior, providing corrective feedback, and processing behavior and decision-making.
• Develop creative interventions that incorporate youth strengths and talents and provide individualized services and supports.
• Coordinate with treatment teams and specialized service providers, making referrals and consulting with professionals as needed.
• Collaborate with teams, participate in supervision and team meetings, and provide coverage or support in other programs as directed.
• Keep program logs current and read and respond to emails in a timely manner.
• Participate in care-planning and family meetings, including reviewing treatment effectiveness and consistency with the Mercy Model.
• Use effective interactional skills, including active listening, empathy, encouragement, appropriate limit-setting, and praise.
• Complete quarterly Individual Treatment Plans and implement them.
• Communicate promptly and accurately with Agency staff and external contacts such as employers, schools, families, legal personnel, and housing programs.
• Complete required documentation during shifts and follow on-call notification procedures.
• Transport youth or young adults and their support systems safely in accordance with Agency policy and state laws.
• Follow medication distribution and documentation procedures.
• Use de-escalation and behavior-management techniques consistent with CPI protocol and restrain youth or young adults when necessary.
• Continue learning and applying developmentally appropriate, attachment-informed, and trauma-responsive practices consistent with the Mercy Model of Care.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Pay differential for weekend hours.
• Information about benefits is available through the company’s benefits page; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED