Youth Advocate

School Social Work Association of America; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Worksource Oregon is partnering with an employer to recruit a Youth Advocate who will support 6th–12th grade youth in Portland Metro. The role involves travel to schools, delivering client-centered programming, and linking youth to services.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed practices, collaboration with school staff and families, and documentation of services to promote youth success in academics and well-being.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum 2 years in human services, social work, or related field; experience with low income youth preferred.
• Familiarity with SE/SW Portland cultures and communities.
• Strong classroom or small group management skills.
• Ability to connect positively with adolescent youth.
• Maintain and foster relationships with school and community partners.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Google Suite.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Sensitivity to diverse lifestyles, socioeconomic levels, and cultures.

Responsibilities

• Travel to various schools and worksites throughout Portland Metro.
• Deliver age-appropriate, trauma-informed, client-centered programming.
• Apply best practices for prevention and intervention related to poverty, homelessness, delinquency, family dysfunction, and school challenges.
• Interact effectively with a diverse group of volunteers, staff, and community members.
• Provide outreach and case management services.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with youth grades 6–12 and their families.
• Support youth in academics, social, and emotional well-being; set goals in 1:1 or small group settings.
• Create and update youth's Individual Success Plans and needs assessments.
• Advocate to ensure youth success with school partners, parents, and community partners; observe classes as needed.
• Refer youth to school and community services (tutoring, after-school programs, clubs, affinity groups, events).
• Assist families with basic necessities to reduce barriers to youth success (home visits, rental/utilities assistance, food/clothing, school meetings).
• Complete accurate and timely documentation of services.

Skills

Youth engagement

Group management

Relationship building

Communication

Organizational skills

Cultural sensitivity

Flexibility schedule

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate/Bachelor in social work or related field

Tools

MS Office

Google Suite

Job description

Worksource Oregon is partnering with an employer who, for the last 60 years, has been dedicated to preventing homelessness by partnering with people on their journey to stability and opportunity. They are currently looking for qualified candidates for the position of Youth Advocate.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma/GED
• Minimum 2 years experience in a human services, social work or related field, preferably working with low-income youth
• Familiarity with SE/SW Portland cultures and communities
• Strong classroom/small group management skills
• Connect positively with adolescent youth
• Maintain and foster relationships with school and community partners
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Familiarity with MS Office & Google Suite
• Strong organizational and time-management skills and can prioritize and complete multiple/varied tasks
• Sensitivity and relate to people from diverse lifestyles, socioeconomic levels, and cultures
• Valid Driver License, up-to-date Vehicle Insurance Coverage, and reliable transportation
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and occasional weekends

PREFERENCES

• Bilingual Spanish
• Associate degree or Bachelors degree in social work, child development or related field

JOB DUTIES:

• Travel/drive to various schools and worksites throughout Portland Metro
• Implement and deliver age-appropriate, trauma-informed, client-centered programming and services
• Working knowledge of best practices for prevention and intervention services for issues related to poverty, homelessness, juvenile delinquency, family dysfunction and school challenges
• Effectively interact with a diverse population of volunteers, staff, and community members
• Provide outreach and case management services
• Form, maintain and foster positive relationships with youth, grades 6th through 12th grade, and their families
• Support youth in academics, social, and emotional well-being that include but are not limited to: meeting 1:1 and/or small group settings to set goals; challenges and barriers youth are facing; exposure to education and career opportunities; skill building
• Create, review, and update youth's Individual Success Plan, comprehensive needs and strengths assessment
• Advocacy to ensure youth's overall success in and out of school includes, but is not limited to: meeting with school partners (teachers, counselors, support staff), parents and/or community partners; class observations
• Connect/refer youth to other school and community services as needed, which includes but not limited to academic tutoring, after-school and summer programs, school clubs, affinity groups, and community support and events
• Supporting youth's family with basic necessities to lower barriers to youths' overall success that include but are not limited to: home visits, rental and utilities assistance, food and clothing resources, attending school/parent meetings with youth and their family
• Complete accurate and timely documentation of services