Youth Advocate

Job Code: 21-1093

Salary: $15.63 - $21.71

Status: Full-time, Permanent, Non-exempt

Department: SSD–Intensive Preventive Program

Location: Intensive Preventive Program

Reports To: IPP Program Manager

Telecommute: No

Fleet: Yes

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Background: PL 101-630

Summary: Under the direct supervision of Program Manager, the Youth Advocate is responsible for initiating; organizing, planning, developing and implementing direct advocacy services for assigned young people

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: 

• Ensure all assigned young people receive services, advocacy hours, contacts, and specified activities as required by the youth’s service plan.
• Maintain the appropriate advocacy hours via face-to-face contact as specified by the service plan.  The Case Supervisor will designate one of four services levels as follows:
  • Intensive Services – 20 to 30 hours per week – Minimum of 5 Face-to- Face Contacts
  • Intermediate Services – 10 to 20 hours per week – Minimum of 3 Face-to-Face Contacts
  • Regular Services – 7.5 to 10 hours per week – Minimum 2 to 3 Face-to-Face Contacts
  • Limited Services – 5 to 7.5 hours per week – Minimum 1 to 2 Face-to-Face Contacts.
• Develop a supportive relationship with each youth’s natural family and where appropriate, foster family.  Involve the natural or foster family in the development and implementation of meaningful activities.  Always ensure that the natural or foster family knows the whereabouts of their children while participating in the program’s activities.
• Ensure all assigned young people receive community service hours and specified activities as required by the youth’s service plan.
• Develop with each young person a set of objectives to be achieved during his/her participation in the program and following graduation.
• Assist each young person in identifying resources or persons who can develop continued support beyond termination of advocacy services and develop linkages to those community resources persons.
• Ensure that each assigned young person is participating in an appropriate education/vocational program and/or is maintaining employment.
• Take each young person to places if interest and introduce them to new activities and new ways to doing things.
• Ensure that activities coincide with the needs.  Interests and wants of the young person as defined by the service plan and Case Supervisor.  Be prepared to identify the youth’s changing needs and interests as the advocacy relationship progresses.
• Be aware of each youth’s medical history, prescribed medications, physical disabilities and needs.  Monitor the youth’s nutritional needs and general health status.
• Under the Case Supervisor’s supervision, involve the appropriate community professional resourced as determined by the young person’s individual needs or service plan.
• Accurately complete weekly activity reports and progress notes and submit them to the Case Supervisor at the designated time and place.
• Attend weekly staff development and training sessions as scheduled by the Case Supervisor. Participate in any service plan reviews or case management meetings of each youth’s service plan as scheduled by their Case Supervisor.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
• Will Promote SRMT in a positive manner at all times.

Mandated Reporter: Must become a mandated reporter prior to having contact with children in a job-related capacity and maintain that status throughout employment. This includes completing any necessary training and adhering to all reporting obligations as defined by applicable laws and tribal policies.

Supervisory Responsibilities: There are no supervisor requirements for this position.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

• Knowledge and understanding of Akwesasne community, values, traditions and social norms.

Education and/or Experience: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent AND
  • One year of experience working with youth 

Other Skills and Abilities: Strong writing and communication skills. Basic Computer knowledge. To have the ability to deal with and respond appropriately with stressful situations and troubled adolescents.  As well as be aware and sensitive to the needs of clients and their families. Must maintain close contact with the Program Manager for planning, developing, and implementing Service Plans.  Be able to work closely and communicate professionally within a large staff. Interact professionally with various agencies, the school system, and resource persons when planning community service initiatives.

Required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or maltreated child where the parent or guardian, custodian, or other person legally responsible for such child, information come before you, facts, condition, or circumstance which if correct, work render the child an abused or maltreated child, (SSL 415) Mandated Reporters in New York State – certain professionals are required by law to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the New York State Central Registry the law also assigns civil and criminal liability to those professionals who do not comply with their mandated reporter responsibilities. 

Reasoning Ability: Ability to express ideas and use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license with a clean driver abstract in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy.

The successful candidate must pass a test for illegal substances prior to employment being confirmed. 

The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check, as well as, a State Central Registry Clearance prior to employment.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy. 

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and background check prior to employment.