Youth Advisor- Violence Reduction Program (VRP)

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is seeking a Youth Advisor for their Violence Reduction Program (VRP) in Milwaukee. This role involves providing professional mentoring to youth, developing strategies to connect them positively with their community and school. Candidates must have a high school diploma and experience working with justice-involved youth.

Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills are essential for this full-time position. The advisor will work closely with supervisors to meet program goals while engaging with families and school representatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years experience with justice-involved youth.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills required.
• Valid driver's license and sufficient automobile insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide mentoring to youth in various settings.
• Engage youth and parents in programming.
• Maintain data systems for program tracking and reporting.

Skills

Customer service skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Multitasking and organizational skills

Cultural competence

Education

HS Diploma/Equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Database applications

Job description

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Disability/Vet).

Youth Advisor- Violence Reduction Program (VRP)

Job Code: 2024-MPS-002 | Location: Milwaukee | Department: MPS | FT/PT | Status: Full Time

Position Summary

This position provides professional 1:1 and group mentoring to youth in school, community and afterschool settings. Assists youth in developing strategies to positively connect with school and their community. Communicates directly with parents/guardians, school staff and other youth to surround the student/mentee with positive options to violence.

The position works closely with the Site Supervisor and Program Director on requirements related to MPS VRP as detailed in the Statement of Work, including data management and reporting, personnel, relationships with MPS leadership and the Safety Director, required goals and performance metrics. The School Based mentor works closely with a student caseload of approximately 20-25 students at their assigned MPS School and ensures that they are on-call and available for youth 7 days a week.

Essential Functions

• Working with the Site Supervisor and VRP Co-Program Director to complete all training requirements within required timelines of WCS and MPS utilizing the LMS (MI, TIC, Ethics and Boundaries, Mentoring, Cultural Humility, etc.).
• Ensure positive youth and parent engagement.
• Engage youth in educational and positive youth development programming.
• Facilitate mediations.
• Build and maintain relationships with school personnel (administration, school safety, social workers, guidance counselors, teachers, etc.) and community partners.
• Report all program concerns including personnel matters to the Co-Program Director.
• Work with Site Supervisor-Program Directors to coordinate summer activities for VFZ participants.
• Provide general recreation support throughout the school year, following the MPS school calendar, and required schedule at the MPS school to serve youth.
• Professionally engage in all agency, school, and community meetings.
• Attend agency events and functions, including Town Halls.
• Ensure compliance with the agency (AWARDS) and MPS data systems.
• Provide safe, reliable transportation for youth, according to Wisconsin traffic laws and WCS policies and procedures.
• Engage in regular team meetings with the Supervisor and Co-Program Director.
• Ensure all data is timely, entered, and accurate for tracking and reporting on the program goals, benchmarks, and annual MPS Performance Metrics to ensure renewal of the contract each year for the life of the contract.
• Working with the Site Supervisor and Co-Directors of MPS VRP to uphold and promote a positive and supportive culture for youth served and program staff and leaders.
• Maintain confidentiality for youth served within all written and verbal communications.
• Review, sign and adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures in Power DMS.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Other job-related duties may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Job Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

This person must have exceptional customer service and person-centered skills. Must possess exemplary verbal and written communication skills, along with strong computer skills that include Microsoft Word, Excel, and database applications. Requires being good at detailed work and utilizing analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to multitask, organize, and assist others to implement procedures and practices. Must be sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and disability issues.

Minimal Qualifications

• HS Diploma/Equivalent.
• Two years minimum of experience with justice involved youth, reporting, quality assurance, and strong customer service skills.
• Must possess strong problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to ongoing growth and personal development.
• Strong computer skills including typing and ability to use Microsoft programs, databases, etc.
• Advanced organization skills.
• Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of participants the agency service.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal and caregiver background check, drug test, and driver’s record check.

Work Relationship and Scope

Reports directly to the Site Supervisor of their assigned MPS School. Interacts with youth and parents served by the program, MPS leadership, VRP team members, and other WCS leadership and staff to carry out the duties outlined in the job description.

Personal Attributes

The person in this position must be passionate about the WCS mission and be a role model for accountability and a culture of excellence by virtue of high-quality program standards and compliance. Be a collaborative team player. Follow agency Code of Conduct and WCS Core Values and adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources. Conduct self in an ethical manner. Maintain professional and respectful relationships with all youth and families involved with the program, MPS staff and leadership, WCS staff and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision. Show sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic, and disability needs.

Working Conditions

Work is performed at the assigned school, in the community and in the residence of the youth when required. Must be comfortable being around and/or interacting with youth and their families, MPS leadership and staff, WCS leaders and staff, and admin departments for program support (HR, IT, Finance, PQI). Must follow expectations of MPS and WCS specific to hours and availability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

May require sitting at a desk and/or computer for two or more hours at a time. Requires significant computer work. Driving for the position is required, performing work at 7 locations.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.