HERO Youth Advocate

POSITION TITLE: HERO Youth Advocate
REPORTS TO: HERO Program Director
CLASSIFICATION: Administrative and professional Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) non-exempt employee

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Here Everyone Reaches Optimal Outcomes (HERO) is an ARP ESSER program under the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC), funded through the Maryland State Department of Education. The Youth Support Specialist will assist in the development and implementation of the operations of the after-school program for youth in HERO. The Youth Advocate will assist in the development and implementation of the operations of the after-school program for youth in HERO. The Youth Advocate will report to the Program Director. The program will serve 45 students ranging from grades 6-8 at Buck Lodge Middle School in Adelphi, MD. Note – This is a part-time employment position, for 25 hours per week, from 1-6 p.m. EST on Monday through Friday. Due to the potential of school building closures due to COVID-19, the after-school program may be held on a virtual platform, so the schedule and hours are subject to change. We will continue to monitor Prince George’s County Public School systems. This is a non-academic year-long position with the possibility of extension. The pay rate $28/hour.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understands, practices, and promotes the vision, mission, and values of MAEC and Positive Youth Development.
• Provides youth of varying needs with ongoing and long-term intensive case management services.
• Incorporates information from the youth’s risk screening, referrals, other service providers, and primarily the youth themselves to assist in goal setting and planning.
• Develops each youth’s success plan within 30 days of admission and updates every three months to articulate goals, objectives, and identify the key resources needed.
• Conducts a thorough needs assessment with the youth as part of the in-take process.
• Leads socio-emotional and community-building sessions.
• Monitors youth’s progress and maintains frequent communication with youth through school day visits, during the program and any other means of communication to ensure that individual goals are being addressed and met.
• Works with and develops strong, healthy relationships with youth, family members, and others involved in the youth’s life.
• Works with community agencies, school leaders and staff, and program staff to develop and foster an effective coordination of services for youth.
• Participates in school and community events to engage with youth and families.
• Tracks outcomes and enters case notes regularly in MAEC’s system, to assist in the evaluation of the HERO program.
• Collaborates with external evaluators and assists in data collection as needed.
• Improves professional development by attending workshops and training sessions.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor in education, social work, or a related field.

REQUIREMENTS

• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Bachelor in education, social work, or a related field.
• Significant experience working with underserved youth will be considered.
• Minimum three years of experience working with high need youth populations.
• Experience in case management, monitoring, and reporting.
• Experience working in an urban or suburban school setting preferred.
• Knowledge of criminal background checks and ability to complete clearances.
• Flexible, energetic, positive individual with commitment to youth development in a high quality, respectful environment.
• Ability to work well and communicate with culturally diverse population.
• Ability to translate Positive Youth Development techniques into practice.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to independently build relationships with school personnel and community partners.
• Display working knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion for students and families.
• Bilingual or fluent/proficient: English and Spanish required.
• Access to stable internet connection.

TO APPLY

Please email a tailored cover letter and resume, in PDF form, to nikevia@maec.org.

Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 25 per week
Work Location: In person, Buck Lodge Middle School, Adelphi, MD