Youth Advocate (Overnight Shift)

Golden Route Operations, LLC; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities of Northwest California is seeking a Youth Advocate to oversee operations of a licensed youth shelter in Santa Rosa, CA. You will supervise youth, staff, and volunteers, ensuring a safe, trauma-informed environment aligned with CCL standards.

Responsibilities include documenting cases, coordinating with service partners, and maintaining daily routines for youth, including meals and activities. This role requires strong boundaries, empathy, and compliance with program policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must meet education/experience options A, B, or C as described in the posting.
• Valid driver license and willingness to travel between agency sites are required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise youth individually and in groups with safety and boundaries.
• Maintain timely case documentation including intake, needs, plans and progress.
• Support daily shelter operations and hygiene, including meals and sanitation.
• Conduct bed checks, headcounts, and safety monitoring of youth.
• Participate in team meetings and coordinate with partner agencies.

Skills

Youth supervision

Trauma-informed care

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

Job description

• Location 310 Ridgway Avenue,Santa Rosa, CA, 95401,United States
• Base Pay $22.30 - $24.05 / Hour
• Job Category Shelter and Housing
• Employee Type Non-Exempt
• Required Degree High school
• Travel 5%
• Manage Others No

Position Summary

The Youth Advocate is a designated Community Care Licensing (CCL)-qualified employee that is responsible for the overall operation of the licensed youth shelter. They are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility, and supervise client youth, staff and volunteers. The Youth Advocate applies Positive Youth Development principles and Reasonable and Prudent Parent standards to administer homeless prevention-focused shelter services to youth runaway and homeless youth ages 13-18. The Youth Advocate provides direct supervision, care, and support to youth living in our licensed emergency shelter. This role ensures a safe, structured, and trauma-informed environment that aligns with California Community Care Licensing (CCL) regulations for Group Homes. Youth Advocates model healthy relationships, support daily routines, and help youth build skills that prevent homelessness, promote stability, safety, and long-term well-being.

The duties, education, and requirements of the position of Youth Advocate align with Community Care Licensing (CCL)-defined Facility Manager and Direct Care staff duties. This is one of multiple Facility Manager roles that meets Community Care Licensing (CCL) qualifications for oversight of a licensed youth shelter and works under the direction of the Program Manager, Youth Shelter.

Essential Functions

• 1. Supervision, protection and care of youth individually and in groups.
• Set effective boundaries and practice positive youth behavior modeling.
• Supervise the behavior of youth and volunteers.
• Maintain timely and accurate case documentation including intake, needs and plans, and progress, community partner referrals, and discharge/safety plans.
• Provide for the daily needs of the youth living in the shelter, including cleaning and sanitation which may include work with biohazards, preparation of meals and snacks, clothing distribution, and laundering.
• Provide support in service center operations to achieve an environment of health, safety, respect, and dignity that ensures successful service provision and communal interaction.
• Conduct regular site walks to monitor overall site safety and the health and safety of participating youth and report any risks or required maintenance.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures when necessary.
• Assist youth with needs and provide guidance and direction when necessary.
• Provide continuous supervision of youth in accordance with staffing and ratio requirements.
• Ensure youth safety, including active awake overnight coverage (if applicable).
• Maintain awareness of youth whereabouts at all times (per California Code of Regulations Title 22 supervision standards)
• Conduct regular bed checks, headcounts, and room checks

Youth Engagement, Support and Demonstrated Advocacy

• 1. Practice a Housing First approach and trauma informed care with all youth participants with compassion and empathy in all interactions.
• 2. Treat all youth with dignity and respect without judgement.
• 3. Maintain professional boundaries in a professional setting with youth participants and staff.
• 4. Teach by demonstrating and modeling behaviors that support healthy living.
• 5. Respond to youth requests, explain and facilitate program expectations, share information and referrals as appropriate for support.
• 6. Practice motivational interviewing concepts and strategies.
• 7. Assist with conflict resolution techniques. Encourage positive methods of problem-solving, respectful communication and self-restrain, discern when to disengage and when to request for assistance from others.
• 8. Support youth with activities of daily living (ADLs) including hygiene, meals, and routines.
• 9. Facilitate structured daily schedules, including school, appointments, and recreation.
• 10. Model and reinforce positive behavior and interpersonal skills
• 11. Maintain appropriate professional relationships with youth at all times avoiding personal, romantic, financial, or other dual relationships that could compromise professional judgment or the youth's well-being.

Documentation and Data Entry

• 1. Assist with screening and enrolling incoming participants, completing required forms.
• 2. Routinely review participants’ case history, service plans, and file documentation to ensure an up-to-date understanding of participant needs.
• 3. Maintain documentation and enter and track all necessary information for communicating with co-workers. Support facility through data quality and contract compliance.
• 4. Participate in agency and countywide data tracking efforts including data entry into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and DataLink.
• 5. Complete program intake and exit paperwork, accurately, timely, and with minimal errors, input information accurately and timely into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• 6. Complete daily logs, shift notes, and client observations documenting as applicable:
• Behavioral incidents
• Special Incident Reports (SIRs)
• 7. Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and Community Care Licensing (CCL) requirements.

Behavior Support and Crisis Intervention

• 1. Use trauma-informed, de-escalation interventions in response to behaviors.
• 2. Follow agency and (CCL) protocols and complete incident reports in compliance with Title 22 timelines and documentation standards for:
• Incident response
• Emergency intervention

Health and Safety

• 1. Support medication administration as trained and authorized per Community Care Licensing (CCL) standards.
• 2. Conduct basic health screenings and wellness checks.
• Fire safety protocols
• Clean and hazard-free spaces

Support of Youth with Program Participation

• 1. Participate in team meetings, case conferencing, and shift handoffs.
• 2. Support youth goals as identified in case plans or needs service plans.
• 3. Maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for youth of all backgrounds

Resource Knowledge

• 1. Learn and maintain knowledge of agency and community partner resources.
• 2. Build relationships with staff members of partner agencies to facilitate communication and referrals.
• Attending staff meetings and in-service training.

Learning and Development

• 1. Complete and maintain certifications required for compliance.
• 2. Comply with required trainings determined by agency for completion including inservice training and 20 hours of in-service training annually

One Agency

• 1. Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of Catholic Charities in the performance of all essential job functions and responsibilities.
• 2. Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations to the workplace or work processes.

Other Responsibilities

• 1. Work with Diocese of Santa Rosa and local parishes as appropriate and requested.
• 2. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Agency Culture

It is essential that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:

• A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• A commitment to excellence in everything we do.
• A commitment to performance and quality improvement.
• A commitment to outcomes and measured results.
• A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

• 1. High School diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) required.
• Must meet one of the following requirements (A, B, or C) prior to employment:
• (A) One year of full-time experience, or its equivalent, working with the client group to be served. Experience shall be verified as having been performed as a paid or volunteer staff person whose duties required direct supervision and care for youth ages 13-18.
• (B) Two years’ experience as a member of the social work staff in a group home performing those duties specified in Section 84065.2(c)
• (C) Completion with a passing grade, from an accredited or approved college or university, of 15 college semester or equivalent quarter units in behavioral science, 9 units of which must be in courses relating to children with behavioral problems which may be the result of abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma. The courses may include but are not limited to curriculums in corrections, psychology, social work, or social welfare.
• 2. In addition, must successfully complete:
• one hour of facility manager training within 30 days,
• eight hours of pre-service training within 30 days,
• sixteen hours of pre-service training within 90 days.
• CPR and First Aid within six months of transfer to this position or hire date.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification (CPI) within 6 months of transfer to this position or hire date.
• Mental Health First Aid Certification Training in Trauma Informed Care, Positive Youth Development, Motivational Interviewing; Housing First and Low Barrier philosophies of care within 6 months of transfer to this position or hire date.
• 3. Understanding of causes of homelessness, experience working within social services and working knowledge of relevant with community resources. Knowledge of Housing First principles and methods preferred.
• 4. Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. ability to produce accurate and thorough work and to monitor work for quality.
• 5. Excellent interpersonal skills, cooperative, friendly, proactive, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers. Ability to communicate and work closely with clients and other employees to ensure a positive and constructive environment within the program or department and throughout the Agency.
• 6. Ability to work under pressure with a positive, solution-oriented approach. Ability to prioritize and plan work activities to use time efficiently. Ability to make appropriate decisions based on training and experience when faced with multiple options.
• 7. Dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and to use feedback to improve performance.
• 8. Ability to focus and concentrate on essential job functions to successfully complete essential functions with timeliness and organization with minimal guidance or reminders.
• 9. Demonstrated proficiency with or ability to learn Office 365 and databases; willingness to learn and apply new software and platforms as necessary for the work.
• 10. Passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Catholic Charities and its clients.
• 11. Valid driver license and at least state required minimum of automobile insurance, clear DMV driving record and ability to provide own transportation. Must be willing and able to travel between agency sites.
• 12. Must pass DOJ background clearance (fingerprinting) in accordance with the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s policies prior to start of employment.
• 13. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.

Job Analysis/Job Description Physical Requirements

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand, walk, travel, and stoop or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods while using a computer.

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. Frequent incoming telephone calls, scanners, and copiers as well as a wide range of clients or at times clients in distress contribute to a noise level of average to above average.

Equal opportunity employer

Catholic Charities of Northwest California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking the best and brightest. Our organization does not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance. We support, educate, create opportunities for, and ensure the wellbeing of our staff for the betterment of those most in need.

CCNWC participates in E-Verify, an Internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from an employer in Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility.