The Youth Advocate II (YA II) provides support and mentoring services to an assigned caseload of youth in the Hillside Work- Scholarship Connection program. Youth Advocate’s utilize best practices from education and youth development models to: assist students in achieving positive academic outcomes including high school graduation; attaining life skills; and completion of a successful employment experience. Youth Advocate’s support the development of good habits by students that enable a successful transition from high school to middle skills jobs, military, college or to the workplace post-graduation.

Although the YA II role is responsible for many of the job duties as the YA 1 the role has an expanded scope and additional responsibilities. Key differences are being the sole representative at new school on a regular basis, act in capacity of Mentor or group leader for new YAs to be successful and/or participate on a regular basis in projects and additional responsibilities (regular additional caseload of 36-40 students). YA II's build, lead, and maintain strong relationships with school principals, administrators and teachers in the absence of Team Supervisor to ensure program fidelity, continuity, and sustainability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Caseload: Assist in the identification and selection of youth who have the personal characteristics to become successful participants in the Work-Scholarship Connection (HW-SC) program. Ability to maintain an active case-load based on enrollment targets by recruiting new students and retaining existing students
• Students: Meet regularly with students enrolled in his/her case-load in the academic environment to review grades, attendance, social skills, and future plans; connects students who do not meet established expectations for GPA and/or core subject grade with tutoring services. Teaches student strategies for becoming self-sufficient (juggling/balancing school, work, friends; planning for college). Works with assigned students and their family (parents/guardian) to develop an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP); uses the IGP as a guide to gauge student progress. Works with assigned students and their family to revise their IGP's bi-annually.
• Family: Develop strong relationships with students and their families to understand and/or identify home issues that might impede school, work, and post-secondary success. Provide referrals to community support services as necessary. Complete monthly family interactions through home visits and/or phone calls to ensure that parents and/or guardians are informed of, and in agreement with, the service goals established for their child.
• School Staff: Partner with core subject teachers and school counselors to ensure students on their case-load come to class on-time and are prepared to learn.
• After School Programming:  Lead, Coordinate, and facilitate all evidence based course work, service learning projects, and social-life activities (i.e. pre-employment readiness training, evidence based course work facilitation, etc.) at his/her assigned location. Provides transportation services (using personal vehicle and/or agency vans) for HW-SC students attending tutoring services, enrichment activities, and field trips.
• Paperwork: Accurately complete program documentation and reporting on students in case-load in the required format and in accordance with required timeframes. Input into and create reports from ETO as needed. Maintain accurate records of own work time and travel information.

Other Duties

• College: Assist seniors planning to attend college in developing a transition plan; monitors student progress against the plan during weekly meetings, tracks plan progress in ETO.
• Employment: Monitor student progress against AAA standards to determine YETA eligibility. Provide support and encouragement to students completing YETA, and the job search process. Monitor placement and progress of students employed by an employment partner. Partner with the employment and or college and career team to resolve employment partner challenges/issues.
• OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MANAGER OF OPERATIONS/Manager of programming AND/OR THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply services from the school site in-person, hybrid, or remote and the community at large.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply theoretical and practical adolescent development and positive youth development
• Know the signs and symptoms of students heading at risk (decisions, patterns of behavior, negative peer relationships) and addresses with appropriate interventions for student.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply State Department of Education high school graduation requirements and local school specific requirements, as well as necessary post-secondary planning processes (FASFA, SAT/ACT and/or Accuplacer testing, college applications process, work force preparation, and job placement) to best work with each student’s guidance counselor for graduation success and post-secondary success.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency with software applications, accurate data entry and ability to learn new applications (internet, ETO, Parent Connect, Microsoft Office).
• Demonstrate ability to track and accurately record all interactions and activities in HW-SC database (ETO) per data entry deadlines.
• Basic technology skills (e-mail, word, and excel), intermediate group facilitation and project management skills.

REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid NYS driver’s license (for at least 6 months) and meet agency insurance standards
• 3 + years of relevant experience in human services, childhood or youth development, student mentoring, workforce development, coaching adolescent youth, or related field OR and appropriate combination of Education and Experience
• The following experiences are some examples of what would be considered:
• College coursework with Certificate (in childcare, human service, or relevant Certificate) plus 2 + years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 48 credit hours of Higher Education in a relevant field of study and at least 1 year of relevant experience
• Minimum of 96 credit hours of Higher Education in a relevant field of study
• Military experience

Hillside is committed to equal opportunities for all, supporting a diverse workforce, creating great opportunities for our Agency, our people, and to those whom we serve.  We offer a competitive benefits package to include very generous paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending account, 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match, paid holidays, and Employee Assistance Plan, just to name a few of the amazing benefits at Hillside!  You’ll be working with great people and great clientele where you can truly make a difference.  Apply online, get on board, and grow your career with us.  You’ll be so glad you did!

EOE/AA Disability/Veteran