Youth Advocate

Apply ONLINE nfallscounty.org

This is a Full-time position. Days and hours vary depending upon the needs of the facility. Applicants MUST be willing to work at least two GRAVEYARD shifts (12am-8am) a week, and available to work other swing (2pm-12am), day (8am-4pm), weekend and holiday shifts as needed.

Performs activities such as interacting with adolescents, cleaning, cooking, and participating in recreational activities with youth at the Safe House. The Safe House is a group home for adolescents funded through State and County contracts, grants and private donations. The Safe House Youth Care Provider requires patience, understanding, effective communication, life skills training, and organizational and report writing skills. The classification requires a valid Idaho license to transport youth to various appointments.

Work is usually performed in a group home environment.

(illustrative only and may vary by assignment)

• Supervise youth and make sound decisions especially during stressful situations;
• Cooks meals, assists with homework, transports youth to appointments, and engages youth in recreational activities;
• Cleans the Safe House and trains youth to clean the facility;
• Maintains communication with youth to reinforce positive youth development;
• Prepares and maintains accurate, timely and complete logs, case notes, and incident reports;
• Transports youth to and from appointments;
• Responds to Commissioners', elected officials', County employees' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings and required training sessions;
• Adhere to guidelines of Code of Ethics for Youth Advocates (CEYA);
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all cases;
• Assists other department and County employees as needed or requested.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.

Knowledge of:

• Child protection, trauma informed care, substance abuse and addictions and mental health;
• Department policies and procedures;
• Interpersonal relations and communication, conflict mediation, negotiation, and incident de-escalation and resolution methods and techniques;
• Operation of a personal computer and job-related software applications;
• Operation of standard office equipment;
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition;
• County policies regarding safe work practices.

Skill and Ability to:

• Work effectively and without prejudice with young people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, sexual orientation, and belief systems.
• Assist youth with prescribed medications.
• Apply de-escalation techniques when needed.
• Administer CPR/First Aid when needed.
• Prepare and maintain accurate, timely and complete logs, case notes, and incident reports.
• Must meet all state licensing requirements for position; IDAPA 16.06.02
• Speak clearly and communicate accurate information to others.
• Use English to communicate effectively with others.
• Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports.
• Listen carefully to, understand, and effectively communicate through oral, written, and interpersonal communication channels.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Work independently and exercise initiative, with general guidance and supervision.
• Use good judgment to make sound and reasonable decisions and problem-solving skills to respond to youth service needs in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries and demeanor at all times;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity the performance of assigned tasks and solving problems;
• Perform all duties in accordance with County policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.
• Maintain confidentiality.

• High school diploma or GED is required and an Associate's Degree is preferred in Social Work, Juvenile Justice or related field;
• Experience working with young people;
• Meet Idaho licensing requirements for Youth Advocate;
• Must be at least 21 years old;
• Valid Idaho driver's license;
• An equivalent combination of…