Youth Advocate

Mary's Shelter of Reading Pennsylvania; Birdsboro (Berks County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Mary’s Shelter of Reading Pennsylvania is seeking staff responsible for resident safety, cleanliness, and supportive services. The role includes supervising youth, accompanying on field trips, and assisting with daily needs such as housing, meals, and basic life skills.

Candidates should have a High School Diploma or GED and be prepared to work with a compassionate, team-oriented approach. Training and certifications may be required to ensure safety and program compliance.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• College experience preferred.
• No prior experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide safety and security to residents and maintain house cleanliness.
• Supervise youth during the day and accompany on group outings.
• Support residents with housing needs, meals, clothing, and transportation as needed.
• Assist with life skills and basic personal hygiene training.
• Report safety concerns and maintain required records.

Skills

Time management

Problem solving

Professionalism

Team player

Education

High School Diploma/GED

College experience preferred

Tools

Office Suite

Inventory software

Internet

Job description

Reports To:Program Director and Team Coordinator

Position Summary

Responsible for the performance of those duties that provide safety and security to the residents and assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the house. This individual must demonstrate commitment to the Mission and values of Mary’s Shelter and relate to residents in a respectful and compassionate manner.

Essential Functions

• Maintenance Services
• Daily supervision of youth through the course of the day.
• Accompany youth on group field trips organized by Mary’s Shelter, as well as other external appointments and outings, as needed.

o Conduct periodic checks (at minimum every four hours) of all areas for safety and security. Respond to emergencies while on duty.

o Respond to residents’ needs as it pertains to the provision of housing, food, clothing, school supplies, transportation, and/or personal incidentals.

• Case Management Services
• Not Applicable
• Direct Treatment Services
• Assist residents with the accomplishment of their ISP/TLP related tasks and goals.
• Instruct and assist residents with life skills training; including but not limited to personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning, resume writing and interviewing, etc.
• Assist youth with meal planning and grocery shopping to ensure they are making healthy choices that are within their budget.
• Assist youth with general maintenance activities, including but not limited to, changing lightbulbs, shoveling snow, spreading ice melt, clearing sinks, and hanging pictures, etc.
• Ensure residents schedule and follow through with needed medical, dental, vision, mental health/behavioral health services.
• Assist residents with enrollment in an educational, vocational or job readiness program that will prepare them for independent living.

General Functions

o Report general building maintenance concerns to the appropriate personnel

o Report significant occurrences/incidents during change of shifts

o Participate in scheduled staff meetings

o Complete 40 hours of training annually and keep personal training record and personnel file up to date

o Answer phones and doors, greet donors, conduct tours, etc.

o Maintain records as required: shift reports, pantry records, and donations. Check and record refrigerator and freezer temperatures daily.

o Verbally report significant occurrences/incidents during change of shifts.

o Light housekeeping duties as assigned. Sort and organize donations

o Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Education/Experience: High School Diploma/GED required, college experience preferred, no prior experience.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively and present information in one-on-one and small group situations, to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists. Interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule forms.
• Computer Skills: Office Suite/Internet/Inventory software.
• Certificates and Licenses: Valid CPR and First Aid certifications. Completion of mandated reporter training and all required clearances.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to demonstrate professionalism, time management, problem solving skills, and act as a team player.

Additional Information

• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, stand, reach, stoop, climb or balance, use hands, taste, smell, and talk and hear. There are no special vision requirements for this position. Employee must be able to lift 50 pounds at minimum.
• Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The noise level in the work environment is moderate as is typical of a business office environment. The employee may occasionally be exposed to the risk of radiation, toxic or caustic chemicals, and fumes or airborne particles.