Youth Advocate

Children's Aid Job Listing•Bronx, NY

About The Position

The Youth Advocate works with an assigned high-school grade level to support students’ attendance, social and emotional development, and future educational planning. The role includes welcoming students each morning, following up on absences, helping identify student and family support needs, and coordinating with school staff and community-based partners under the direction of the Community School Director and Student Resource Coordinator. The Youth Advocate facilitates social and emotional learning sessions with the Social Worker and Health Educator, maintains attendance progress notes, and participates in weekly meetings with the Community School Director, Student Resource Coordinator, and Guidance Counselor. The position calls for building trusting relationships with students while maintaining provider/client confidentiality and upholding Children’s Aid’s mission, values, and policies. The work schedule may be in-person or hybrid, as determined by departmental needs, and may be reviewed and adjusted based on organizational needs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.
At least two years of experience working with youth in a recreational, educational, and/or social environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with Children’s Aid staff, Department of Education professionals, high-school students, and their families, including during periods of emotional stress.
Commitment to developing an understanding of the socio-demographic characteristics and service needs of high-school students.
Strong commitment and motivation to assist in achieving goals centered around Children’s Aid’s core values.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or knowledge of best practices in youth development.
Bilingual ability in French/English, Mandingo/English, Twi/English, Ebo/English, or Yoruba/English.

Responsibilities

Understand and promote Children’s Aid’s mission, vision, and core values in alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
Meet and greet assigned grade-level students each morning when they arrive at school.
Make daily early-morning phone calls to determine the reasons for student absences.
Identify targeted youth and family support resources with appropriate school staff and community-based partners, under the direction of the Community School Director and Student Resource Coordinator.
Work with an assigned high-school grade level.
Facilitate social and emotional learning sessions with the Social Worker and Health Educator.
Maintain notes on attendance progress throughout the school year.
Attend weekly meetings with the Community School Director, Student Resource Coordinator, and Guidance Counselor.
Engage high-school students in forward planning for higher-education aspirations.
Maintain Children’s Aid’s core values in all engagement with high-school students.
Develop strategic and constructive ways to identify and address high-school students’ needs.
Build student trust while observing provider/client confidentiality.
Develop a strong working relationship with the Community School Director and Student Resource Coordinator and use quantitative, scientifically based methods to seek solutions.
Report special programming needs directly to the Community School Director.
Perform other duties as assigned.