Advocate Counselor, Learning to Work (LTW), Franklin K. Lane YABC

CAMBA Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Advocate Counselor to support students in overcoming barriers to education and employment. This role involves conducting assessments, providing guidance, and connecting students with vital community resources. The Advocate Counselor will work closely with a diverse group of young adults, helping them navigate their educational journeys and develop essential life skills. With a focus on empowerment and self-advocacy, this position plays a crucial part in transforming the lives of students. Join a passionate team committed to making a difference in New York City and help shape the future of the next generation.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field required.
• Experience in counseling and community resource identification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain professional relationships and confidentiality with students.
• Conduct assessments and create student files for tracking progress.
• Assist students in attaining their goals through community resources.

Skills

Counseling Skills

Communication Skills

Assessment Skills

Community Resource Identification

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

Enginuity

Excel

Job description

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors, and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 73,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross-section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

The Learning to Work (LTW) at Young Adult Borough Centers Program will provide services to students, ages 17 1/2-21 that are over-aged for grade, under-credited, and have spent at least one year in another high school to earn a high school diploma and gain valuable vocational and life skills supports. Using the Primary Person Model, each student will have a Young Adult Career Advisor who will: guide students towards removing barriers toward graduation, engage students in college preparatory activities, provide supportive services, and increase self-direction and self-sufficiency through meaningful career exploration experiences, including subsidized internship placements for 20% of the student population.

Position: Advocate Counselor

Reports To: Supervisor II

What The Advocate Counselor Does:

• Maintain professional relationships with students and student confidentiality.
• Conduct initial intake and assessment of students and/or students’ families’ situations and needs (including academic and skill levels, basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes, support service’s needs, family and medical history, and individual development needs).
• Create and maintain student files.
• Assist students in attaining their goals by identifying and locating community resources for students and by making referrals to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
• Reach out to absent students (i.e., phone calls, letters, home visits, etc.) daily.
• Follow up with students and with referral organizations regarding student contact and progress with referral organization.
• Counsel students regularly either through meetings in CAMBA offices, by telephone and/or home visits.
• Work with students to break through barriers to student goals and to assist students in advocating for themselves.
• Recommend and implement strategies to persuade students to participate more fully in this process.
• Follow up at least two times with graduates for one year after graduation.
• Reach out and market the program to the community in order to recruit students.
• Enter all required data into CAMBA’s online internal database system Enginuity.
• Create narrative case notes regarding student progress at each point of contact using Enginuity.
• Keep an Excel monthly report spreadsheet of all services given.
• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
• May act as student liaison/student advocate with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
• May facilitate workshops (i.e., Life Skills, College Explorations, Work Exploration).
• May prepare marketing materials for the program.
• May prescreen students over the telephone/face-to-face for eligibility.
• May assist families in obtaining health services coverage when eligible.
• May assist students in completing applications for benefits and entitlements.
• May assist students in completing all CAMBA intake applications and forms.
• May review all documentation establishing student’s eligibility for the program and make file copies.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.A., B.S.W.) in social work or a related field and applicable experience.

Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain Dept. of Education fingerprint clearance throughout the duration of employment.
• Ability to adapt to the culture and environment of a public school.

Compensation: $45,000 annually

When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills, and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week) (Monday-Thursday 12:30PM-8:30PM & Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status, or sexual orientation.

Help New Yorkers in need transform their lives

Each year, CAMBA reaches more than 73,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. Without your support, we cannot continue to create and deliver our programs.