The Choice Program at UMBC provides mentoring and advocacy services to young people–primarily Black and Latinx–throughout central Maryland. We utilize a community-based, family-centered approach to promote quality outcomes for young people and families. We engage in a collaborative process of service: where young people set goals for themselves and are held accountable by supportive adults along the way. Our approach to youth development is grounded in applied critical race theory and culturally responsive, trauma-informed, restorative practices. We strive to be an anti-racist organization grounded in several core values: holistic development, the belief in humans, and youth-centeredness.
OVERVIEW
The Choice Program is excited to offer this 6 month contractual position as an entry level position in human services. Youth Advocates provide holistic services to meet the needs of 5 to 7 youth and their families in The Choice Program. Advocates will provide in-person mentoring, goal planning and barrier mitigation to youth through central Maryland. Youth Advocates are directly accountable to and work with Assistant Directors in a pre-assigned geographic location. Advocates will work in conjunction with service coordinators and AmeriCorps members to ensure quality services are provided to program participants.
This role requires a flexible schedule that accommodates both the Advocate’s availability and the needs of the youth, within The Choice Program’s operating hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. While most responsibilities involve direct, in-person service, a portion of time will be allocated for remote documentation and administrative tasks, as directed by the supervisor.
Time Commitment: Youth Advocates are expected to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week, with a maximum of 30 hours.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serves as a positive role model for program youth.
- Support caseloads of up to 7 youth in an assigned service area.
- Meet youth in the community to conduct home, school, and community visits.
- Provide direct mentoring and advocacy services–including community-based visits, in-office support, and engagement at Choice’s social enterprises–with a focus on goal planning, job readiness, and barrier mitigation for youth and their families.
- Provide periodic assessments of youth and family situations via weekly in person and virtual debriefs with assigned Assistant Director of Intensive Advocacy.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with youth and families.
- Connect youth and families to needed external resources.
- Schedule and facilitate initial youth welcome meetings and assessment interviews.
- Develop individualized, goal-centered service plans with young people and support them with goal attainment.
- Document all interactions and maintain accurate, timely records in the program database.
- Prepare and submit monthly reports and weekly funder updates.
- Notify supervisory staff immediately in the event of a youth crisis; suspected illegal activity; or any other incident involving youth, AmeriCorps members, or staff.
- Adherence to program personnel and procedure manuals and to Choice confidentiality policies.
- Maintain program equipment (e.g. Choice assigned cell phone, computer).
- Evening and weekend work required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma required. Associates Degree or 2 years of college/48 credits preferred.
- Minimum 6 months of relevant case management or youth advocacy experience (1 year preferred).
- Experience working with justice involved youth or families.
- Experience working with Microsoft tools.
- Familiarity with trauma informed care, restorative practices and positive youth development.
- Driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle required (Mileage will be reimbursed when using your own vehicle).
- Commitment to fulfill contract.
- Ability to work independently and as a team member.
- Possess good oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to project a positive attitude and use a strength-based approach.
- Must have access to computer and internet
COMPENSATION
$29/HOUR
20-30 hours per week.
Reimbursement for youth activities up to $30 per occurrence
AVAILABILITY REQUIRED
Afternoon, evening, and weekend availability (within the window of 9 am-8:30 pm).
1-2 Saturdays per month between 12 pm -8:00pm
