About First Place for Youth, We’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.
Why Work at First Place For Youth:
- Meaningful Impact: Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.
- Innovative Approach: We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.
- Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.
- Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.
- Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Youth Advocate is responsible for case management, psycho-social assessment, development and implementation of intervention strategies. The Youth Advocate provides clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team and provides coaching to support each youth to achieve goals of housing stability, sustainable and sustaining employment, and educational achievement. The Youth Advocate is active in developing, supporting and implementing an individualized, strength ‘based, culturally competent, youth-centered approach. A Successful Youth Advocate understands how to motivate, influence, and mentor young adults to achieve goals while launching adult lives from foster care. This position is required to work onsite and in the community Monday – Friday.
DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide youth with individualized, strength-based coaching, crisis intervention, referrals, advocacy, and life skills training. (70%)
Direct Care and Interventions:
- Develops a rapport building strategy with each youth
- Gathers and analyzes ongoing information to ensure youth safety, well-being, and progress
- Acts as the lead facilitator to a multi-disciplinary team consisting of youth, family and other natural supporters, Child Welfare agency case managers, Employment and Education Specialists, Housing Specialists, and Intake Specialists to ensure seamless and effective service delivery
- Organizes, schedules, and facilitates youth and team meetings
- Provides ongoing assessment of youth well-being and develops plans to ensure safety and crisis management as needed
- Provide direct support, coaching, mentoring, and interventions to increase youth self-efficacy, self-sufficiency, and goal attainment.
- Provides after hours on-call services by Participating in an on-call rotation
- Provides crisis counseling and appropriate community referrals, as needed.
Case Management/Coordination:
- Collaborates with community providers including child welfare workers, courts, professionals, vocational and independent living skills programs, schools, family members, and significant others
- Keeps key team members informed and facilitates work with team members to identify and engage appropriate natural supporters.
- Participates in group supervision for case consultation, processing countertransference, and sharing best practices in service delivery.
Documentation/Administrative Duties (30%)
- Completes documentation including but not limited to State and/or contract required reporting procedures, MFP assessments and Action Plans, and progress notes within required timelines.
- Document and track all meetings with youth by creating progress notes within the internal database.
- Ensures all needed paperwork and consents are completed for each client at the time of entry.
- Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Program Manager. Participate in agency committees as assigned.
- Provides ongoing orientation and training to staff as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- BA in social work, psychology, counseling, or equivalent required with a minimum of four years of experience working in a child welfare social services setting or with transition-age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma.
- Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or equivalent preferred.
- Professional License is a plus.
- Must be comfortable working in community settings and transport youth in personal vehicles
- Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently
- Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check
- Must have a car, a valid MS driver’s license, and auto insurance.
- Computer skills -- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook. Experience with database systems.
- Strong communication skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages, and present data in a clear and inspiring manner.
- Commitment to cultural competency and diversity – Deep commitment to social justice and systems change that addresses barriers based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Availability - for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.
Benefits
- 15 days of vacation time in the first year
- 12 days of sick time
- 2 floating holidays
- 15 paid holidays
- Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
- Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
- Paid baby bonding leave
- Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
- Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions
- Annual reimbursement for continuing education
- Paid sabbatical
- Paid maternity and paternity leave
*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred
*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience.
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at www.firstplaceforyouth.org/careers.
We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.
First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.
*Social Worker