Youth Connections Advocate - Rural, NV

Raise the Future • Reno, NV

1d • $23 - $27

About The Position

The Youth Connections Advocate works with youth in foster care, particularly those who are hardest to place, to help them find permanent homes and achieve legal permanency. The role begins with learning about each youth by reviewing their history and listening to their needs, then identifying past and current connections and advocating for supports that can help build stability and lasting relationships.

The advocate builds a network of supportive connections around children and youth and implements the Dave Thomas Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids child-focused recruitment model. The position involves collaboration with community leaders, CASA employees, case workers, attorneys, therapists, youth, judges, and other stakeholders. The role is based in Rural, Nevada; applicants must reside in Nevada at the time of employment. Up to 50% travel is required, primarily in Nevada and mostly by car, with occasional out-of-state travel. Flexible work arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience working within child welfare, including areas such as CASA, courts, probation, department of human services, foster care, group homes, day treatment programs, or mental health.
• General computer literacy.
• Reliable transportation and eligibility for driver insurance.
• Ability and willingness to travel, with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations, including public agency staff.
• Willingness to engage in cold calling.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Applicants must reside in Nevada at the time of employment.
• A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human service field and at least two years of adoption experience may substitute for a master’s degree.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in social work or a related field, with preference for child welfare or foster care adoption experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Previous work experience with adoption or child welfare.
• Expertise in providing family support services.
• Knowledge of the impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices.
• Microsoft Office Suite experience and experience working with databases or data mining.
• Experience working with older youth, preferably in the child welfare system.

Responsibilities

• Learn about assigned youth by reviewing their histories and listening to their needs.
• Identify past and current connections in youths’ lives to help them achieve stability and permanent homes.
• Advocate for youth and help build networks of supportive, lasting relationships.
• Learn and implement the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids child-focused recruitment model.
• Collaborate with community leaders, CASA employees, case workers, attorneys, therapists, youth, judges, and other stakeholders.
• Organize and manage multiple projects and cultivate working relationships with diverse populations, including public agency staff.
• Travel as needed, including driving primarily within Nevada and occasional out-of-state travel.
• Engage in cold calling and provide excellent customer service and communication.

Benefits

• Four weeks of paid time off.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Health insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term and short-term disability insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and childcare.
• Health Savings Accounts.
• 401(k) with matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Flexible work arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Discount programs.
• Paid parental leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level