Senior Youth Advocate

Description

Enjoy making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and the community at large every day.

Are you a self-starter interested in making an impact in our community? HALO is currently seeking a candidate for a full time employment opportunity of dedication, caring, and compassion. This position will lead our HALO family of young men & women - pregnant, parenting, and non-parenting - living in our Transitional Living Program in Kansas City, MO. This position oversees all activities and interactions in the home, ensuring youth goals are met. It provides support and guidance to HALO Youth Advocates and reports to the Kansas City Program Director. The Senior Youth Advocate is also responsible for coordinating HALO life skill programming to support resident progress, in conjunction with the HALO Learning Center.

Main components of this position include:

• Lead Youth Advocates to provide support in their work with youth as they progress through the program Focus Areas: Daily Living, Self Care, Relationships & Communication, Housing & Money Management, Career & Education, and Permanency. Leads weekly meetings with the Youth Advocate teams to check in on progress, treatment plans, and training opportunities.
• Oversee youth cases through the entirety of the program, from determining eligibility to safe and appropriate exit, providing case management guidance to Youth Advocate staff members.
• Conduct a weekly meal and meeting for all of the housing youth and organize Life Skill workshops
• Enhance and oversee aftercare services, ensure they are being facilitated on a timely basis
• Direct Care
• Maintain a direct caseload of up to 3 youth, supporting relationships between youth and their families and connect youth with volunteers and resources within our community
• Assist clients as needed, such as: drive clients to school, or doctor appointments
• Crisis Management: Be available for emergencies and collaborate with Kansas City Program Director on issues related to severe weather, mental or physical health crisis, youth crisis, staffing issues, or other emergencies
• Ensure that all youth and their dependents are safe and compliant with all policies outlined in the handbook.
• Collaborate with Kansas City Program Director & Center Program Manager on resident participation in HALO Center Programming to aid in their progress through the HALO Housing Program
• Lead Group Supervision program with HALO program staff to collaborate on youth and facilitation challenges and shared techniques. Utilize portion of the time to lead youth development, mental health or evidence based practice trainings, aiding in 40 hour annual training requirement.
• Dependent on degree and experience
• Work with KC Program Director and Chief Program Officer on Home outcomes and strategies to reach 90% safe and appropriate exits for youth.Set the example for an outcomes focused program and team.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, education, counseling or other human services field from an accredited college plus (2) years’ experience in residential treatment for children and youth services. Prior experience in counseling, or working with at-risk youth is preferred
• Experience supporting the needs of behaviorally complex youth with a history of mental, emotional, or physical trauma is preferred, but not required (training will be provided)
• Masters degree preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, relationship building, teamwork and social skills for working with residents and community members is required
• Must be a responsible, mature individual of reputable character who exercises sound judgment, and displays the capacity to provide good care and supervision of youth
• Goal orientated and ability to implement processes with little or no supervision
• Positive attitude, high energy and a role model for health and wellness in the home, including the ability to manage a household and a budget
• Other requirements: Must be 21 years of age, have a valid driver’s license with clean driving record, background clearance, Class E license and Med-Tech certification within 30 days.

Benefits & Salary:

• Salary range is dependent on level of experience and education
• Health Insurance: HALO provides medical health insurance for full-time staff members
• Retirement: You have an opportunity to start saving for your retirement as soon as you join HALO as a full time or part time employee by contributing to the HALO 403b retirement plan. HALO contributes a discretionary match up to 3% to your retirement after one year of service
• Paid Time Off: Holidays, Vacation, Maternity & Paternity Leave, Medical Leave, Personal, Sick & Bereavement Leave.