Lead Youth Advisor – Violence Reduction Program (VRP) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Wisconsin Community Services
Job Description
- Location 3732 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53208, United States
- Job Category Youth mentoring, Violence prevention, Positive youth development
- Employee Type FT Exempt
- Required Degree High school
- Manage Others Yes
- Minimum Experience 3 Years
At WCS , we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive , regardless of their past. We stand at the intersection of justice, compassion, and opportunity , walking alongside individuals who face barriers like mental health challenges, substance use, criminal justice involvement, and systemic inequities .
We're not just offering jobswere building life-changing relationships that empower individuals to reclaim their futures.
Why WCS?
- Youll be part of a mission-driven team changing lives across Milwaukee and beyond.
- Youll receive training, mentorship, and growth opportunities to help you thrive in your role and your career.
- Youll witness the power of transformation and know that you helped make it happen.
- Youll work in a culture that values a culture of belonging, collaboration, and compassion .
Position Summary:
This position supports the Site Supervisor with supervision and coaching of other Youth Advisors at the assigned MPS school. The Lead Youth Advisor also provides professional 1:1 and group mentoring to youth in school, community and afterschool settings. Assists youth in developing strategies to positively connect with school and their community. Communicates directly with parents/guardians, school staff and other youth to surround the student/mentee with positive options to violence.
The position works closely with the Site Supervisor and Program Director on requirements related to MPS VRP as detailed in the Statement of Work, including data management and reporting, personnel, relationships with MPS leadership and the Safety Director, required goals and performance metrics. The School Based mentor works closely with a student caseload of approximately 20-25 students at their assigned MPS School and ensures that they are on-call and available for youth 7 days a week.
Lead Youth Advisor Essential Functions:
- Assist with supervision of the program Youth Advisors at the assigned MPS school.
- Support Site Supervisor with daily coaching and development of Youth Advisors at the assigned MPS school.
- Assist the Site Supervisor and Co-Program Director with compliance with school-based programming and schedules in accordance with the contract and Scope of Services with MPS, daily, weekend, and afterschool activities.
- Support the Site Supervisor monitoring employee work schedules and report all personnel concerns to the Site Supervisor and Co-Program Director.
- Contribute when requested to the overall program planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Support the Site Supervisor with weekly updates to the Co-Program Director and Director of Milw Youth Services.
- Support the Site Supervisor to ensure compliance with all required documentation by Youth Advisors in a timely and accurate manner to be well positioned to report out on goals and outcomes required by MPS.
- Support the Site Supervisor to ensure all Youth Advisors connect with youth outside of the school setting, connecting them to community resources and visiting them at their residence.
- Support the Site Supervisor to ensure all Youth Advisors are available 7 days per week per MPS requirements.
Youth Advisor Essential Functions:
- Working with the Site Supervisor and VRP Co- Program Director to completes all training requirements within required timelines of WCS and MPS utilizing the LMS (MI, TIC, Ethics and Boundaries, Mentoring, Cultural Humility, etc.).
- Ensure positive youth and parent engagement.
- Engage youth in educational and positive youth development programming.
- Facilitate mediations.
- Build and maintain relationships with school personnel (administration, school safety, social workers, guidance counselors, teachers, etc.) and community partners.
- Report all program concerns including personnel matters to the Co-Program Director.
- Work with Site Supervisor-Program Directors to coordinate summer activities for VFZ participants.
- Provide general recreation support throughout the school year, and follows the MPS school calendar, and required schedule at the MPS school to serve youth.
- Professionally engage in all agency, school, and community meetings.
- Attend agency events and functions, including Town Halls.
- Ensure compliance with the agency (AWARDS) and MPS data systems.
- Provide safe, reliable transportation for youth, according to Wisconsin traffic laws and WCS policies and procedures
- Engage in regular team meetings with the Supervisor and Co-Program Director.
- Ensure all data is timely, entered, and accurate for tracking and reporting on the program goals, benchmarks, and annual MPS Performance Metrics to ensure renewal of the contract each year for the life of the contract.
- Working with the Site Supervisor and Co-Directors of MPS VRP to uphold and promote a positive and supportive culture for youth served and program staff and leaders.
- Maintain confidentiality for youth served within all written and verbal communications.
- Review, sign and adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures in Power DMS.
- Provide safe and reliable transportation for youth when required, consistent with Wisconsin traffic laws and WCS policies and procedures.
- Travel between assigned locations as needed.
- Work with youth in school, afterschool, community, and, when required, residential settings.
- Driving is required, with work performed across 7 locations.
- A strong commitment to youth development and violence prevention.
- Experience working with justice-involved or high-risk youth.
- The ability to coach, support, and hold colleagues accountable.
- Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- A commitment to ongoing professional and personal development.
- Cultural competence and respect for individuals from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, linguistic, and disability backgrounds.
- Professional judgment, integrity, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 35 years of experience working with justice-involved youth and/or in youth services, reporting, quality assurance, customer service, or a related field.
- Experience providing leadership, coaching, mentoring, or peer support is strongly preferred.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, typing, and database applications.
- Advanced organizational skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to multitask and effectively prioritize competing responsibilities.
- Ability to assist others in implementing procedures, practices, and program expectations.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to respond respectfully and effectively to people of different cultures, languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, and other diversity factors.
- Valid driver's license, reliable automobile, and automobile insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
- Ability to meet all employment requirements, including professional references, criminal and caregiver background checks, drug testing, and driver's record check.
- Follow the WCS Code of Conduct, Core Values, and Leadership Code of Conduct.
- Follow established WCS, MPS, and funding-source policies and procedures.
- Conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner.
- Maintain respectful and professional relationships with youth, families, MPS staff and leadership, WCS employees, community partners, and external service providers.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding youth, families, employees, and program operations.
- Demonstrate cultural humility and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, linguistic, socioeconomic, religious, and disability-related needs.
- Promote a positive and supportive culture for youth, families, staff, and program leadership.
Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
WCS is seeking a Lead Youth Advisor to join a mission-driven team at an assigned Milwaukee Public School (MPS). This hybrid role combines staff leadership with direct youth mentorship to help students overcome systemic barriers, mental health challenges, and community violence. You will support the Site Supervisor in coaching and scheduling other Youth Advisors, managing program compliance, and ensuring seamless communication between school staff, parents, and agency leadership.
Key Responsibilities & RequirementsIn this position, you will manage a caseload of 20-25 students, providing 1:1 and group mentoring during school, after-school, and community settings while remaining on-call 7 days a week. Core duties include facilitating youth mediations, organizing positive development and recreational activities, tracking data accurately for MPS metrics, and providing safe transportation for youth across assigned locations. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to youth empowerment, possess valid driving capabilities, and be ready to foster a collaborative and compassionate culture of belonging.
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