Senior Youth Advocate

Cambridge, MA

Type:
Exempt, Full time

Supervisor:
Managing Director of Youth Programs

Location:

430 Rindge Avenue, Suite #202, Cambridge, MA 02140

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Youth Advocate (SYA) provides Just A Start's Youth Programs with wrap-around services and direct one-on-one case management. They are a trauma-informed and experienced youth worker, capable of helping trainees navigate the sometimes complex network of barriers standing in the way of their success. The Youth Programs portfolio includes a 10-month Youth Build High School Equivalency and workforce training program for 16-24 year olds, as well as a young adult-focused renewable energy job training program that includes Solar Panel Installation and an Electrical pre-apprenticeship program.

The Senior Youth Advocate manages a caseload of participants across these programs, delivering supportive services while they are enrolled and for another 12 months after they graduate.

Just A Start is in year two of a 5-year strategic plan. The Youth Programs department has committed to further deepening its personal and professional supports, centering participant goals, and delivering job training with enhanced program resources. The ideal candidate brings at least 5-7 years experience with case management, direct youth services, team leadership, social work, and/or human services. They are someone who is able to build trust with youth trainees, administer high support and referrals to community partners, and facilitate Life Skills classes that lead to improved personal wellbeing, post-secondary education success, and good paying jobs.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Just A Start is a community development corporation dedicated to promoting equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. We build and preserve affordable housing, offer education and workforce training, and provide housing resources and services to low-to moderate-income people in Cambridge and nearby communities. Founded in 1968 as a teen summer jobs program, Just A Start has a long history of serving young people in Cambridge.

Youth Build Just A Start is a full-time, comprehensive youth workforce development program for ages 16-24 in the Boston Metro North region. Our program is one of 11 independently operated Youth Build programs and members of the Massachusetts Youth Build Coalition. As a proud affiliated member of the global Youth Build movement, we help young people reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become community leaders.

We define trainees by their potential, not their challenges, offering mentorship, counseling, and support. Utilizing positive youth development and trauma-informed practices, we provide wrap-around services and academic and career training to out of school youth.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

* Establish and maintain strong and productive relationships with trainees, family members, guardians, and other supportive service providers

* Manage a youth/young adult case load of active trainees and alumni.

* Support trainees with setting goals and socioemotional skills that contribute to career/post-secondary education placement and retention.

* Administer supportive service benefits and identify and advocate for internal and external policy and partnership solutions to address unmet trainee needs.

* Help participants and alumni apply for unemployment, SNAP, housing, and other community resources.

* Advocate for trainees who are court-involved through communication with lawyers and court-room advocates, and accompanying youth to court appearances as necessary.

* Lead case conferencing in team meetings, protecting youth confidentiality while supporting front line staff to understand youth needs and provide guidance on differentiated instruction.

* Work with the Associate Director of Youth Development to design trauma-informed performance improvement plans to keep trainees on track.

* Contribute to trainee progress reviews, which ensure that trainees receive timely feedback from instructors and staff across program components.

* Manage a full-time Ameri Corps VISTA resource coordinator with the additional potential to manage a masters level clinical intern (depending on licensure).

* Facilitate Life Skills classes (whether through guest speakers, field trips, or direct facilitation) to promote trainee socio-emotional wellbeing.

* Participate in pre-program orientations to assess participant readiness and develop supportive service plans.

* Maintain participant records and complete case notes and other required case management documentation in a timely, accurate, and strengths-based manner.

* Work closely with Youth Programs' LICSW clinical consultant to manage caseloads, prepare for case conferencing, and develop front line staff training with support from program leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS / KEYS TO SUCCESS

* Bachelor's degree required in social work, human services or similar area of study, and/or an equivalent…