Youth Advocate Specialist, High School - Chicago - BUILD Chicago

Description

Youth Advocate Specialist, High School

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based in Chicago's West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the city's most challenged neighborhoods. When you work at BUILD you make an important difference to the thousands of youth and families we serve.

Our Core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence and Innovation.

The Youth Advocate Specialist, High School (YASHS) as part of the BUILD Intervention Team serves youth through advocacy who are off track, street, and gang‑involved as well as youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The role provides support, advocacy, opportunity, and community resources to prevent entry or return to the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (CCJTDC). The YASHS works closely with other program departments and support staff to ensure that youth are integrated into other programs to dissuade them from entering, recidivating, or returning to gangs or destructive activities. The YASHS reports directly to the Manager of Youth Advocacy, High School (MYAHS).

Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy programs and services in and out of schools for the designated community.
• Work collaboratively with school administration and other partners.
• Collaborate with the team and other program departments.
• Inform appropriate BUILD team of program progress and challenges, making recommendations and seeking advice as necessary.
• Meet with team weekly to discuss youth engagement and case management services.
• Meet with Manager/Coordinator weekly to discuss the youth in case management service.
• Interact with participants by establishing a professional relationship.
• Ensure that youth who are off track in school receive the support necessary to improve and maintain academic requirements.
• Ensure that youth receive ongoing home and/or school visits upon participant's enrollment and/or release from the CCJTDC and maintain regular ongoing contacts (individual and group) with participants in the caseload for a minimum of one year.
• Encourage youth participation in leadership development opportunities.
• Facilitate and provide learning spaces for participants such as peace/talking circles.
• Provide informal individual and group counseling.
• Ensure completion of needs assessments and refer participants to appropriate services within BUILD and their communities.
• Maintain a positive adult‑mentee relationship while reinforcing positive behavior.
• Perform other job‑related duties as requested, required, and/or assigned.
• Recruit and maintain a required caseload of youth.
• Record case notes into internal and external online databases on a weekly basis and record intakes and assessments into the system as needed.
• Update caseloads on a monthly basis and submit information on a monthly report.
• Collect baseline and year‑end data on academic, interpersonal, and pro‑social behaviors.
• Submit statistics and reports on a monthly basis and/or as needed.
• Maintain File Compliance as required and compliance with internal and external data collection.
• Collaborate with a variety of resources (including judges, probation officers, attorneys, schools, agencies, and potential employers) to advocate for each participant on the caseload.
• Identify positive adult/youth influences to create a stronger support network for the participant.
• Model appropriate communication skills and tools matched to the needs of various audiences and purposes.
• Represent the agency to various publics to broaden community awareness and support.
• Participate in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
• Participate in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of BUILD, Inc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Non‑Profit Management or related field experience preferred.
• Experience working with inner‑city youth in a social service setting or related field.
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with technology integration into daily program operations and evaluation systems.
• Highly organized to set priorities, develop a work schedule, and monitor progress toward goals.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Able to do the required number of home visits per month.
• Ability to pass a criminal and CPS background check and child abuse/neglect registry check.
• Must have a valid Driver's License, access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel locally.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• As of October 15, 2021, all BUILD employees are required to submit proof of full vaccination status.

Benefits

• 401(k) + 2% match
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Wellness Days
• Flexible Spending Account

BUILD, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically prohibit employment. Rather, BUILD Inc., considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case‑by‑case basis.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.