Header

Youth Advocate, Youth Futures Initiative

Organizational Summary
The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a community-based, 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides an array of services to at-risk youth in the Greater New Orleans region. YEP strives to always provide the highest quality services to all of our youth and their families.
Position Summary
YEP Youth Advocates are direct care workers and are responsible for providing day-to-day case management and mentoring services to youth clients as part of the Youth Futures Initiative. At any given time, a youth advocate may have a caseload of eight to 15 youth. Youth Advocates are responsible for ensuring that the youth in their caseload receive caring, quality and appropriate mentoring and supportive services. Youth Advocates are directly supervised by the Youth Futures Initiative Program Director. Additionally, Youth Advocates will participate in development of individual services plans for youth, regularly review each youth's progress toward meeting the goals outlined in the service plan, provide transportation to youth clients (and families as required) to and from appointments and activities, participate in and assist with facilitation of group activities, maintain daily case notes that capture all work done on each client's case, collect and record required data for each youth in YEP's database, and develop healthy, mentoring relationships with youth.
Qualifications
  • Minimum of one year working with at-risk youth (three or more years of experience highly preferred)
  • Deep commitment to supporting and working with youth
  • Commitment to YEP's mission
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop trusting relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Familiarity with New Orleans' neighborhoods and comfortable working in a range of neighborhood
  • Proven experience and familiarity with the local juvenile justice system including knowledge of key stakeholders preferred
  • Ability to develop, maintain, and cultivate strong relationships with key juvenile justice stakeholders including parents, judges, lawyers, probation officers and facility personnel preferred
  • Flexible, dependable and has an excellent work ethic
  • Familiarity with New Orleans public schools and youth serving agencies
  • Strong writing skills
  • Computer literate (good typing skills and proficient with Microsoft office)
  • Must own a car and possess a valid Louisiana driver's license and insurance
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Understanding relevant practices of youth development

How to apply

How to Apply
Qualified applicants must submit all of the following to be considered for this position: cover letter, resume, and a list of three references. All materials should be emailed to Megan Faunce atjobs@youthempowermentproject.org. The closing date for applications is Friday January 3, 2014.
No phone calls please.