Youth Advocate (Per Diem)
About The Position
The LISA Division of Community Solutions is seeking an energetic and dedicated Youth Advocate to work with young adults in the SAIL Program. The Youth Advocate collaborates with residents to help them navigate personal challenges and build life skills, while helping maintain program operations and establish a safe, strength-based, relational environment. The role supports adolescents as they transition from interdependence to independence. It is described as an entry-level opportunity for recent college graduates and people beginning a career path in Human Services. The Youth Advocate reinforces a strengths-based, gender-responsive, relational, and trauma-informed program. The role works closely with residents on individual growth and development, teaches daily living skills, supports individual goals, encourages healthy behavior, and holds residents accountable for unsafe or unhealthy behavior. The position also involves documentation, program activities, resident transportation and supervision, and medication administration in accordance with DCF regulations. This is an as-needed, per diem position at the SAIL Program in Meriden, Connecticut. The stated wage is $19.75 per hour, plus applicable shift differentials. Various shift hours are available.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least six months of experience, or an associate degree plus two years of experience working with youth; experience may be substituted for education.
- Willingness to learn and implement strengths-based, relational, trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and culturally competent approaches.
- Valid driver’s license.
- COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test prior to starting.
Nice To Haves
- Spanish proficiency in oral and written communication is desired.
Responsibilities
- Reinforce the principles and philosophy of a strengths-based, gender-responsive, relational, and trauma-informed program.
- Work with each resident to support individual growth and development and teach daily living skills.
- Collaborate with the team to address residents’ individual goals, particularly in daily living skills.
- Encourage and motivate residents, including recognizing them when they are doing well.
- Reframe or redirect residents who are frustrated or struggling.
- Apply approaches outlined in the TIER System to encourage pro-social, healthy behavior.
- Hold residents accountable for unhealthy or unsafe behavior.
- Provide positive role modeling, including in dress, emotional management, and behavior.
- Complete logs, reports, and data entry as required or requested.
- Implement and document the program’s TIER behavior motivation system.
- Contribute to the monthly recreational calendar and participate in activities as appropriate.
- Ensure residents’ nutritional requirements are met in collaboration with the Agency Nurse and Supervisor.
- Coordinate volunteer service projects with other LISA Inc. staff.
- Participate in required meetings.
- Transport and supervise residents.
- Administer medication in accordance with DCF regulations.
Benefits
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with automatic enrollment and a company match of 100% up to 4% of the employee’s contribution.
- Ongoing training.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
