Youth Advocate

RECOVERY SERVICES (RS)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Youth Advocate I/II/III

Department: Recovery Services (RS)

Reports To: Prevention Manager

Supervises: None

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Grade: N3 (I), N4 (II), N5 (III)

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

AKBCU: Yes ICPA: Yes

General Function:

The Youth Advocate is responsible for the case management of youth program participants and works under the direction of the Prevention Manager. The incumbent duties require close coordination, collaboration, tracking and monitoring of participants to ensure compliance with their service plan and terms of release. Responsibilities also include working closely with partner agencies to ensure program participants are engaged and supported in services that includes employment/training, housing, mentoring, and other comprehensive services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Youth Advocate, I

• Provide case management and referrals to reentry participants.
• Coordinate with community providers to refer services for participants, including but not limited to: resources for housing, employment, food, clothing, health care, behavioral health, and substance use treatment.
• Obtain and track data based on grant requirements.
• Work directly with state youth programs and local service providers to plan for reintegration from confined facility, staff secured facility, and incarceration into the Anchorage community.
• Serve as the central point of contact between RS, Alaska Native Justice Center, Department of Juvenile Justice (DOJ), Big Brothers Big Sisters and other youth programs in the state.
• Conduct initial pre-release screening to determine the level of service and support needed.
• Facilitate support groups.
• Work in partnership with Prevention Coordinators to conduct cultural sessions and group activities.
• Attend program and agency related meetings and conferences as requested.
• Work with organizational partners to develop program narrative reports.
• Attend job fairs and community outreach events to promote awareness of RS.
• Obtain, track, and document all relevant information for each case file.
• Coordinate with the leadership team to monitor grant-required information and strategic planning processes.
• Participate in scheduled community meetings and webinars as requested.
• Attend and actively participate in department meetings and training.
• Fill-in for absent staff when necessary.
• Ensure individual participant case planning encompasses key partners, support and services.
• Maintain relationships & contracts within network of local service providers.
• Facilitate the restorative justice processes.
• Maintain confidentiality according to regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Perform all related duties as assigned.

Youth Advocate, II

• Perform all duties/responsibilities of a Youth Advocate/Case Manager I with a high level of proficiency and responsibility.
• Responsible for the development of program resource manuals.
• Develop and maintain external relationships with local community providers.
• Responsible for the case management of cases with increasing complexity.

Youth Advocate, III

• Perform all duties and responsibilities of a Case Manager I and II with an advanced level of proficiency
• Act as a resource, mentor, and trainer for all employees for the program and community.
• Orient new staff to the department, RS systems, and processes.
• Provide training and education to other employees as needed.
• Answer questions according to standard procedures and best practices.
• May perform as the acting manager when the Program Manager is unavailable.
• Make meaningful improvement to services, program and processes, and organizational effectiveness that create new value for participants and employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Responsibilities Related to Participant Privacy

• Employee is expected to actively participate in CITC privacy training and to protect the privacy of participant information in accordance with CITC's privacy policies, procedures and practices, as required by federal and state law. Failure to comply with CITC's policies and procedures on participant privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
• Employee may access protected health information and other participant information only to the extent necessary to complete job duties. Employee may only share such information on a need to know basis with others who have job responsibilities related to treatment, payment, or other CITC operations.
• Employee is encouraged and expected to report, without the threat of retaliation, any concerns regarding CITC's policies and procedures on participant privacy and any observed practices in violation of the policy to the designated Privacy Officer.

Job Specifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple activities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle crises and make sound judgments.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a team atmosphere.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing techniques.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the social, health, education, and training and cultural needs of the Alaska Native and American Indian community.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge and understanding of the reentry system and its challenges.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native and American Indian culture and community resources.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure of deadlines, and within budget constraints.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule.
• Demonstrate ability to inspire community participation and build coalitions.
• Computer literacy in word processing, email, internet and spreadsheets.
• Experience and willingness to work with youth.
• Willing to work with prison populations.
• Willing to attend court with youth and assist with referrals
• Become a trainer for Prime for Life educational courses.
• Ability to create culturally supportive environment for Native youth to help prepare those in Youth Development and Youth Reentry for transition back to home community.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with diverse groups of citizens and their families, who may have conflicting interests and opinions.
• Familiarity with the concepts of Restorative Justice and experience engaging that philosophy into reentry programs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide support, empower, and manage individuals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to gather information about community resources for linkages.
• Must be comfortable working with youth ages 6 – 21.

Minimum Core Competencies: CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Youth Advocate, I

• Associate’s degree in Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, or Vocational Education and a related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• One (1) year of experience working in social services, workforce development, vocational counseling or education, or related experience.

Youth Advocate, II

• Associate’s degree in Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, or Vocational Education or a related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Three (3) years’ experience working in social services, workforce development, vocational counseling or education, or related experience.

Youth Advocate, III

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, or Vocational Education or a related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Five (5) years’ experience working in social services, workforce development, vocational counseling or education, or related experience.

Minimum Qualifications at all Levels:

• Valid Alaska driver’s license and insurable under CITC’s automotive insurance, which requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age and have had a driver’s license for at least three years.
• Continued employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory state and federal fingerprint criminal background check
• Ability to successfully pass a Division of Juvenile Justice background check within 90 days of employment.
• Must be willing and able to travel.

Physical Requirements:

• Primarily works in an office setting, with extended periods of time at a desk on a computer.

NATIVE PREFERENCE STATEMENT: Pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (PL 93-638) and as further guided by CITC’s Native Preference Policy 6.120, CITC maintains preference in all phases of employment for Alaska Native, American Indian (AN/AI) and Native Hawaiian people, including direct lineal descendants and foster or traditionally adopted children. Also included is the non-Native head of household members for Native families, which provides foster or traditionally adopted Native children.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions

10/20/23