Youth Advocate

Face To Face Health and Counseling Service, Inc; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Life insurance

403b with employer match

PTO 23 days

11 paid holidays

Job summary

Face to Face Health and Counseling Service, Inc. is seeking a Youth Advocate to be the first point of contact for youth entering SafeZone, a drop-in center for homelessness.

The role provides individualized support, basic needs assistance, meals, hygiene, showers, and follow-up to help youth achieve housing stability. The position is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 10:15am–6:15pm, onsite in Minnesota.

Qualifications

• High School degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 2 years work experience with homeless or at-risk youth.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Experience with positive youth development and harm reduction.

Responsibilities

• Manage front desk tasks at SafeZone.
• Provide excellent customer service during youth check-in and answering phones.
• Engage with youth and connect them with center/community resources.
• Respond to crises and de-escalate situations professionally.
• Maintain drop-in center flow and assist with clothing closet, supplies, and upkeep.
• Support food service operations (bag lunches, meals).
• Lead volunteers and youth programs.
• Collect data and complete paperwork for youth records.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Crisis management

Independence

Diversity awareness

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

BA in social services or equivalent

Job description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Face to Face Health and Counseling is a non‑profit organization dedicated to advancing economic and health equity for youth ages 11–24. We do this work through a comprehensive approach that includes housing, mental health, medical, youth justice, education & employment, and community services. We take a strengths‑based and trauma‑informed approach to our work and center the needs of young people impacted by racism and other forms of oppression and marginalization. Founded in 1972, Face to Face serves more than 3,000 youth annually.

JOB SUMMARY

The Youth Advocate is the first point of contact when youth enter SafeZone, our drop‑in center for youth experiencing homelessness. The Youth Advocate position is responsible for providing individualized support & basic needs assistance (including meals, personal hygiene, shower and laundry) and follow‑up to support youth to overcome homelessness.

This position is full-time at 37.5 hours a week. Monday – Friday 10:15am-6:15pm

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all tasks related to the front desk at SafeZone.
• Provide excellent customer service while checking youth in the center and answering phones.
• Engage with youth at the center in a meaningful and respectful manner while assisting them with various resources offered at the center or in the community.
• Respond to crises and de‑escalate situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Maintain the daily flow of the drop‑in center by working in the clothing closet, restocking center supplies, upkeep of common areas, and special projects that arise.
• Support food service operations, including packing bag lunches and preparing/serving hot meals.
• Lead volunteers in the drop‑in.
• Lead youth programing.
• Collecting and recording appropriate data and completion of paperwork.
• Provide basic needs/survival aide, crisis intervention, supportive services, information and referrals to run‑away and homeless youth that enable youth to relocate from the streets to safe and stable housing situations.
• Conduct individual assessments with youth to determine needs and housing stability.
• Refer youth to agencies for supportive services, case management and mental health support.
• Provides all services guided by the evidence‑based principles for helping youth overcome homelessness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School degree or equivalent required
• B.A. in social services or equivalent education preferred; experience in lieu of degree will be considered
• Minimum of 2 years work experience working with the homeless or at‑risk youth
• Ability to work independently, exercising good judgment in involving others when necessary
• Experience with a positive youth development and harm reduction approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High reliability and integrity
• Positive attitude and willingness to do what it takes to meet youth needs
• Good crisis management skills and the ability to navigate stressful situations well
• Knowledge of homelessness and its impact youth
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with people of diverse ethnic, economic, racial and cultural backgrounds

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Face to Face we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

LOCATION

Essential Onsite – This role requires the employee to be onsite.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to perform the duties outlined in the job description.
• Ability to perform duties and responsibilities typical of an office environment.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to be flexible, work under stress and to respond to emergencies/crisis
• Must be able to travel in all weather conditions in MN

Appropriate accommodations for physical demands will be made for individuals with disabilities.

PAY & BENEFITS

The pay rate for this position is between $22.50 and $22.75 per hour, based on qualifications.

Face to Face offers benefits which include health, dental, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, life insurance, 403b account (3% employer match) as well as 23 days of PTO and 11 paid holidays.

This position is part of a unionized bargaining group, represented by SEIU Healthcare MN & IA. As part of a unionized environment, employees in this role may be required to join the union or pay union dues.

Face to Face is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse groups, including persons of color, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community are encouraged to apply. Former clients are also encouraged to apply.