Youth Advocate - Waukesha Youth CCS

Wisconsin Community Services; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Youth Advocate to provide essential skill development and support to at-risk youth. In this role, you will engage with youth in their homes, schools, and communities, facilitating their growth and addressing their unique needs. You will collaborate closely with families and care coordinators, ensuring that each youth receives the guidance and resources necessary for success. This position demands excellent communication skills, a strong understanding of the Youth Justice System, and a commitment to fostering positive relationships with diverse populations. Join a team that values integrity, reliability, and the well-being of the community.

Qualifications

• Must complete required trainings and have knowledge of the Youth Justice System.
• Ability to respond to after-hour situations and work with diverse youth populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide mentoring and support to youth, maintain contact with families and schools.
• Document case notes and maintain data tracking systems as required.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Problem Solving

Conflict Resolution

Organizational Skills

Ability to Work with At-Risk Youth

Computer Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services

Job description

Job Responsibilities:

Program: Waukesha Youth CCS Position: Youth Advocate

Position Summary: Provide Individual Skill Development and Enhancement to youth referred by DHHS, CCS Department. Individual Skill Development and Enhancement includes training in communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision-making, self-regulation and other specific needs identified in the youth’s service plan.

Essential Functions:

1. Process assigned referrals, opening electronic and paper files.
2. Attend initial staffing and follow up case reviews.
3. Maintain face-to-face contact with the juveniles in their homes, at school, and in the community, as determined at the initial staffing and follow up reviews.
4. Provide youth with intensive support, mentoring, and monitoring to assist them with the specific goals as determined in the youth’s case plan.
5. Provide 24-hour coverage, via cell phones, for after-hours skill development, education and problem solving and conflict resolution.
6. Maintain regular, at least one contact per week or more as needed with the CCS Care Coordinator to collaborate on the youths’ behavior/progress and to report any concerns.
7. Attend any/all necessary Department staffings, meetings or court hearings, as requested by the CCS Care Coordinator.
8. Maintain regular contact with the parents/guardian, as determined at the initial staffing, to collaborate on the youth’s behavior and to provide ongoing support/family psychoeducation to the caretakers.
9. Maintain contact with the schools of youth, as determined necessary and appropriate at the initial staffing, to monitor compliance with attendance and behavior at school.
10. Complete all necessary paperwork and reports per policy/procedure, including case notes and billing logs.
11. Enter and maintain data tracking system as required by the program. Ensure information is updated on all spreadsheets and other related documents for tracking purposes.
12. Document after hour calls on the 24-hour cell phone in an after-hours call log, update and maintain timely entries, providing the information to the supervisor upon request.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Attend and contribute to JIS (Juvenile Intensive Services) Department staff meetings.
2. Assist with answering the office phone when necessary.
3. Other job-related duties may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Must complete all required trainings prior to working with youth, knowledge of the Youth Justice System.
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
3. Ability to respond to after-hour situations.
4. Solid computer skills.
5. Ability to work with diverse at-risk youth population.
6. Good organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.
7. Must be trained in all WCS required Evidence Based Principles within 90 days of hire and follow models of fidelity established by the agency.
8. Must successfully complete 40 hours of Training as required by DHHS through UW Green Bay prior to taking on cases and must successfully complete 8 hours of CEU training credits each year of employment.

Minimal Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services field.
2. Knowledge of the Youth Justice System.
3. Extensive experience in the field with youth preferred.
4. Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.
5. Must pass criminal background check.
6. Valid driver’s license and insured automobile required.

Work Relationship and Scope: Reports to Program Supervisor and interacts with the Director of Waukesha Court Services. Works with at-risk youth referred by CCS Care Coordinator, parents/guardians, WCS staff, court personnel, school personnel, DHHS Social Workers, Juvenile Center personnel, and law enforcement.

Personal Attributes: Follow the agency Code of Conduct; the WCS handbook, Core Values and program policies and procedures of the agency and DHS; adhere to the casual yet professional workplace appearance; reliability in reporting to work regularly and on time; accuracy and attention to detail when documenting youth contacts and entering information into the program database; maintain professional and respectful communication with co-workers, participants, DHHS personnel, and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability issues; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.

Working Conditions: The majority of work is conducted out of the office, requiring extensive driving throughout Waukesha County; Individual meetings with youth participants in home, at school, and in the community; Transport participants; Office work to complete computer and paperwork; Average 40 hours per week; Flexible work schedule, includes 24-hour, 7 days per week on-call, crisis pager (must be available for coverage to handle crisis calls from youth participants/parents); Must attend DHHS staffing and court appearances.

Physical Demands: Ability to conduct extensive driving in Waukesha County for long periods of time; Ability to sit at workstation for up to 2 hours at a time; Requires hand and finger dexterity.