Youth Advocate at First Place for Youth – Oakland, California

About First Place for Youth, we’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

Why Work at First Place for Youth:

Meaningful Impact:  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.Innovative Approach: We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.POSITION OVERVIEW: The Youth Advocate (YA)-ACSF is a hybrid position responsible for case management, psycho-social assessment, targeted life skills, employment and education coaching, and development and implementation of intervention strategies to foster care youth in our MFP program. The position provides coaching to support each youth to achieve goals of housing stability, sustainable and sustaining employment, and educational achievement. The YA must understand what it takes to support youth in developing goals related to secondary and post-secondary education, career development and obtaining and maintaining a pathway to living wage. The YA is active in developing, supporting and implementing an individualized, strength ‘based, culturally competent, youth-centered approach. A Successful Youth Advocate understands how to motivate, influence, and mentor young adults to achieve goals while launching adult lives from foster care. This position is a combination of onsite, youth’s home and community-based work Monday through Friday.

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Care and Interventions:

Provide youth with individual counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, advocacy and life skills training.Conduct weekly, in person meetings with youth assigned to caseload to develop independent living related goals and identify steps to achieve goals, including financial literacy, wellness, good tenancy, parenting, relationships, education planning and employment supports. Provide continuous coaching, identify barriers and develop joint-plans to achieve success with youth and natural supporters.In-residence visits are mandatory as outlined in the program guidelines.Gathers and analyzes on-going information to ensure youth safety, well-being and progress.Provide career coaching through job readiness, handling work-related issues, promote self-advocacy and increase success in job retention and growth, as well as education research, preparedness and steps towards completion.Organizes, schedules, and facilitates youth and team meetings.Provides on-going assessment of youth well-being and develops plans to ensure safety, preventative interventions planning and de-escalate crisis as needed.Collaborates with community providers including county workers, courts, professionals, vocational and independent living skills programs, schools, employers, family members and significant others.Prepare clients to maintain housing after program exit or help them to identify alternative housing options if necessary.

Documentation/Administrative Duties

Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Program ManagerCompletes documentation including but not limited to Care and Services plans, needs assessments, and progress notes.Ensures all needed paperwork and consents are completed for each client at time of entry.Maintain files for caseload and update monthly paperwork Participates in agency committee as assigned.Other duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONS:

BA in social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent required with Minimum four years of experience working in a child welfare social services setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma. Master's Degree in a social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent preferred. A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers and increase a sense of belonging. Must be comfortable working in community settings. Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check Must have a car, a valid CA driver’s license and auto insurance. Computer skills -- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. Experience with database systemsAvailability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

Benefits:

15 days of vacation time in the first year12 days of sick time2 floating holidays15 paid holidaysEmployee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plansPrincipal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First PlaceHealthcare and Dependent care FSA plansPrincipal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverageEmployee Assistance Program401(k) retirement savings plan Paid sabbatical

*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred

*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at www.firstplaceforyouth.org/careers.

We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.

First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.