Advocate

Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) is a national nonprofit that provides community- based alternatives to youth incarceration and residential placement. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, YAP partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, and education systems to deliver individualized, wraparound services that keep youth safely in their homes and communities.

We are currently seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals for hourly, part-time Advocate positions serving youth and families throughout Harris County and surrounding areas
.

Status:
Part-Time Hourly

FLSA Classification:
Non-Exempt

Hourly Rate: $20

Hours for the position require availability:
Monday – Thursday 2:30- 8:30pm and Friday 12- 6pm. Weekend hours, if necessary, are flexible.

• Youth Advocate serves as a mentor, supporter, and resource for young people and their families, helping them navigate challenges in school, home, and community environments. This role focuses on building trusting relationships, promoting positive youth development, and connecting families with essential services.
• Applicant must be dependable, committed, and able to serve as a positive role model for youth in the community, school, and home settings
• Primary Responsibilities of the Advocate are to initiate, organize, plan, develop, and implement direct advocacy services to assigned participants and their families.
• All service plans will be based on a strength-based approach using the wrap around model.

Mental Demands of the Position: Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks, utilize creativity, maintain a high level of decision-making, ability to adapt to a constantly changing work environment, maintain a high level of record keeping/routine paperwork, provide close attention to detail, ability to travel, ability to work under pressure for results, establish own goals, meet frequent deadlines, work in a closely supervised environment, and work closely with others.

This position offers competitive weekly pay and mileage/activity reimbursement.

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associates or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Education or related is preferred.
• Prior experience working with youth and families in community, school, and home settings is strongly preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage effectively with youth, families, and professionals.
• Compassionate, patient, and resilient attitude in dealing with challenging situations.
• Reliable and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer skills;
  Experience working in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a plus.
• Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking is a plus.
• Position requires reliable transportation, current driver's license, and current auto insurance coverage.

Travel throughout the community, homes, and school.