Youth Worker-Young Mothers Program

Youth Worker, Young Mothers Program

Location:

Springfield, MA

FLSA Classification:
Non-Exempt

About Roca

Roca is a fast-paced, data-driven, and relentless organization that serves over 1,300 high-risk young people including a growing population of young women and mothers every year. Through a unique intervention model, Roca proves that young people who are often feared, forgotten, and left out can in fact build safe, stable, and hopeful lives. At Roca, we believe that every young person matters and that with enough time and the right opportunities, change is possible.

Roca's strong outcomes and thousands of graduates are the proof that less jail is more future and that progress happens with work. Established in Chelsea, MA in 1988, Roca now has additional sites in Boston, Springfield, Lynn, and Holyoke, MA, and in Baltimore, MD, and most recently in Hartford, CT.

Position Overview

Roca's work is based on the theory that young people, when re-engaged through positive and intensive relationships, can change their behaviors and develop life, education, and employment skills to disrupt the cycles of poverty and incarceration. Roca's Intervention Model engages the highest-risk 16-24 year olds in a long-term process of behavior change and skill building opportunities. Understanding that meaningful change doesn't happen overnight, we deliver an Intervention Model that is four years long and allows for relapse during the process.

We know that lasting change requires a safe space to grow and to flex newly acquired decision-making skills. If a young person is seeking change or can make it through our model without relapsing, then they are not a candidate for Roca and can likely be served by a less intense program.

General Responsibilities

• Facilitate, apply, practice, and demonstrate Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) using Roca's Intervention Model.
• Consistently exercise and application of Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) informally, formally and virtually.
• Assist and role model in the process of obtaining and sustaining employment through job search and overall workforce professionalism.
• Engage with other aspects of work, such as but not limited to, family and criminal court engagement, work behind the wall/in residential programs, peacemaking circles, work with the community, productive and professional participation in meetings, etc.
• Continually learn, demonstrate, practice and improve skills related to Roca's intervention model.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of case notes into ETO (Efforts to Outcome system) daily.
• Act as a Crew Supervisor and manage a work crew, when needed.
• Analyze and interpret ETO data as it relates to young people and understanding how data relates to a young person's progress.
• Ability to adapt outreach efforts in accordance of data collected in ETO.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Job Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of young people and build transformation relationships in alignment with Roca's intervention model.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide additional types of educational/vocational/life skills programming, in person and virtually, e.g. educational classes, Serv Safe, upgraded workforce professional skills, parenting and child development, healthy habits, driver's education, and/or the ability to help with job placement.
• Strategically plan workweek schedules— including outreach lists for contact, programming needs, identifying if YP is in need of additional assistance and CBT coaching and constructive use of Track Books.

Qualifications

The very nature of Roca's work requires an individual of great commitment and energy to the mission. Roca seeks a highly driven individual who is in alignment with the culture and values of Roca. In addition, the ideal candidate for this position will be a trustworthy decision-maker. He/she will have a sense of humor, feel passionate and committed to direct work with high risk youth, and demonstrate interest in coaching and supporting coworkers.

Roca expects candidates to have the following skills:

• BA preferred/Equivalent experience accepted--Minimum of three years of direct service work with high risk young people, preferably teen mothers.
• Understa…