Transitional Youth Specialist

Child Advocates San Antonio; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Child Advocates San Antonio is seeking a Transitional Youth Specialist to support older youth aging out of foster care by strengthening educational advocacy and college readiness. The role includes coordinating with volunteers and partners, and ensuring data and reporting meet CASA standards.

Develop and support court-appointed advocates, manage program activities, and assist in delivering services that promote successful transitions to adulthood.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public policy, social welfare, psychology or related field.
• Two+ years in a human services setting serving children and families.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders for a child’s best interests.
• Experience with older youth and college readiness preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with educational partners to support youth outcomes.
• Coordinate quarterly meetings, trainings, and program activities.
• Document services and outcomes in case management systems.
• Train and supervise volunteers to support court reports.
• Engage attorneys, foster families, and community partners effectively.

Skills

MS Office

PowerPoint

Excel

Volunteer leadership

Communication

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Optima

Apricot

Case management software

Job description

Job Summary

You can make an incredible impact at CASA. You will be part of a caring and committed team of individuals working on behalf of children and youth experiencing foster care. To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate and champion alignment with our company’s vision, mission, and values in daily work actions. You must also demonstrate a commitment to complying with CASA’s policies, regulations, processes and participate enthusiastically in CASA’s culture of continual improvement, including support of our Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Values-Based Leadership, and personal development.

This position is an exempt position and will require working hours outside of a typical work week. CASA will accommodate the selected candidate’s work schedule for any additional hours worked at after-hour events.

Intent of the Position

The Transitional Youth Specialist supports positive outcomes for older youth transitioning from foster care by strengthening educational advocacy, promoting college and career readiness, and connecting youth with resources that support a successful transition to adulthood. This position develops and supports court-appointed volunteer advocates, collaborates with community and education partners, and coordinates programming and services to ensure the needs and best interests of youth are effectively represented.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Bexar County Fostering Education Success (BCFES) program to support educational outcomes for youth, including active participation in quarterly meetings, retreats, and professional development trainings.


• Maintain ongoing collaboration with the Bexar County College Bound Docket Court Monitor through monthly coordination meetings to ensure effective communication and program alignment.


• Collect, maintain, and analyze individual and program-level data, ensuring timely and accurate monthly reporting to the BCFES Data Team.


• Creating and facilitating ongoing training for staff and advocates to include new volunteer training specifically for working with older youth and college bound youth.


• Utilize case management systems, including Optima and Apricot, to document services, manage participant records, and monitor program outcomes in accordance with CASA standards and confidentiality requirements.


• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate quarterly educational and life skills events for older youth, fostering college readiness, independent living skills, and successful transitions to adulthood.


• Assess and advocate for the needs of youth preparing to transition from foster care, ensuring appropriate services and support systems are in place.


• Oversee educational volunteer advocates, providing training, guidance, and support to ensure accurate, timely court reports and effective case advocacy.


• Perform all Advocate Supervisor functions, including attending court hearings and staffing’s, documenting referrals and outcomes, and interviewing potential volunteer advocates as needed.


• Collaborate effectively with attorneys, foster parents, families, caseworkers, and community partners to support the best interests of children in care.


• Support volunteer retention by recognizing contributions, promoting healthy boundaries, encouraging continued engagement, and implementing retention


• Supervise and coordinate community volunteers involved in external events and initiatives that support CASA’s work.


• Participates in advocate pre-service training within six months of hire and then in a minimum of 12 hours of ongoing education per year.


• Other duties as assigned by your leadership.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in social work, public policy, social welfare, social services, psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice or law enforcement. Equivalent relevant and significant years of experience will be considered as a substitute.


• Two or more years of experience in a private or public human services agency that provides services to children and their families.


• Experience working with different stakeholders simultaneously in the pursuit of the best interests of the child being served.


• Experience working with older youth, with a strong understanding of the unique challenges faced by youth transitioning to adulthood.


• Knowledge of independent living skills, the higher education application and enrollment process, and the community resources available to support youth aging out of foster care.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in social work, public policy, social welfare, social services, psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice or law enforcement. Equivalent relevant and significant years of experience will be considered as a substitute.


• Prior experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.


• Experience planning events to support program retention and volunteer advocate engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of MS Office applications with advanced use of PowerPoint and Excel and case management database software.


• Skills in leading and supporting volunteers, including providing guidance, accountability, training, and ongoing support.


• Skills in thoughtful written and verbal communication, including facilitating training and presenting information to volunteers, staff, youth, and community partners.


• Skills in organization and planning, with the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.


• Ability to review, maintain, and accurately document case and program information in accordance with CASA standards and confidentiality requirements.


• Ability to build rapport with internal and external partners with cultural sensitivity.


• Ability to compassionately provide customer service to internal and external customers.


• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.


• Ability to maintain excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.


• Ability to sit and work comfortably for extended periods of time.


• Ability to team lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds, walk and stand for extended periods, and bend to reach materials.

Quality Assurance Requirements

• Conducts quality assurance audits as assigned.


• Comply with National and Texas CASA standards and applicable grant requirements.


• Pre-employment drug screening required.


• Applicants must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility throughout employment.


• Applicants must pass a child abuse and neglect registry check and maintain abuse and neglect registry eligibility throughout.


• Possess proof of current automobile insurance and maintain throughout.


• Possess a valid current and unexpired Class “C” Texas Driver’s license and maintain throughout employment.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disabilities, and/or genetic information (including family medical history), any other characteristic protected by law. We comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding employment

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 377.113(a)(6) job descriptions for employees, directors, and volunteers.