Job description

Position Title: Program: Job Code: 60-617-01
Case Manager - Community Advocate Specialized Services

Reports To: Department / Location: Status: Full Time Regular
Program Manager – Specialized Services - Centralized Client Services

Salary Range: Grade 4 - $23.93 per hour

Classification: Non-Exempt

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is full time regular and non-exempt. Hours will vary and may require working nights, weekends, and holidays.

AT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare envisions a community where no young person experiences homelessness, all young people have the opportunity to thrive, and the systems that oppress them are dismantled. YouthCare serves young people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious beliefs, and we seek a workforce that reflects that diversity.

ABOUT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential. Founded in 1974, YouthCare was one of the first programs to serve runaway and homeless youth on the West Coast. The goal was to help young people find safety today and build a future for tomorrow. Over four decades, we’ve defined best practices and developed programs that are a national standard for excellence. Using a youth-centered approach, we ensure that young people experiencing homelessness ages 12-24 have the hope, skills, and confidence to gain long- term stability.

COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare. Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at time of On-Boarding. Please note: Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

NON-MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES' INTERNATIONAL UNION (OPEIU) Local 8.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Case Manager- Community Advocate is an independent, self-driven position that supports and oversees victims of human trafficking ages 18-24 years old seeking and accessing YouthCare and other community based permanent housing. This includes providing case management and advocacy services to young people within the age group who have been sexually exploited and abused, including labor trafficked, justice involved youth, The Community Advocate works collaboratively with YouthCare staff, other community partners, the natural supports in a young person’s life including family members, and the young person to identify, engage, and support eligible young people to increase personal safety, navigate complex systems, and gain access to existing services. Primary job responsibilities include, case management, providing short term rental assistance, outreach and engagement, safety planning, harm reduction strategies, training for youth and family members including other key adults in the youth’s life. Developing and maintaining relationships within the juvenile justice system and law enforcement are also key components of the position.

TEAM OVERVIEW: The Centralized Client Services Team includes approximately 29 team members focused on creating a strong safety net of coordinated client services for youth and young adults. The Specialized Services Program Manager provides direct supervision to 5-8 team members. Each team member owns the responsibility for providing outreach to the community to provide critical culturally relevant community-based advocacy and case management services to youth and young adults; to ensure appropriate referral of young people into YouthCare and partner programs; and to work in formalized collaboration with other social services agencies in King County, including schools, community-based centers, and youth service centers to provide services for young people and families and who are impacted by poverty, racism and social structures that create inequities in housing access and stability, economic & financial stability, and health and well-being. Many young people served may also be impacted by human trafficking, juvenile detention, and sexual violence.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct support through case management, advocacy and face-to-face support, and short-term rental support services to young people who have been trafficked for labor or sex. Meet or have contact with each participant on a regular basis to promote stability to include meeting their basic needs of food, housing, and safety.
• Develop individualized, strength-based, young people-driven service plans in core areas of safety, recovery, housing, mental health, chemical dependency, education, employment, and life skills. Provide and coordinate referrals to appropriate services.
• Engage young people through Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and strengths-based approaches.
• Outreach to community services and educational supports; promote positive communication skills and work with family to address issues that lead to the complex issues young people currently copes with, including current and previous trauma, unstable housing, difficulties in school, mental health struggles, chemical dependency issues, etc.
• Develop and maintain relationship with Law Enforcement, juvenile court, and other systems young people may interact with; coordinate Multidisciplinary Teams across systems to best address young peoples’ goals; including assistance in navigating the justice system and court accompaniment when required.
• Actively participate in collaborative work within YouthCare and other agencies providing similar services to coordinate services and referrals, including immigration, juvenile detention, foster care, and DCYF.
• Complete and submit all documentation and grant reporting in a timely manner. Ensure all client-related data is both current and accurate in the YouthCare’s data management system and any required grantor data systems.
• Participate in weekly supervision meetings, regularly scheduled team meetings, and clinical consult meetings as scheduled by supervisor. Participate in additional meetings as required.
• Attend in-service trainings and grant funder sponsored meetings as required for position.

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 1 or more years of experience providing counseling or case management.
• 1 or more years of direct experience working with young people that have been sexually exploited, victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault, and labor trafficked.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age. DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.
• Experience networking and advocating with other agencies to access housing, medical, financial, legal, educational and other resources on behalf of young people or young adults.
• Strong engagement and relationship-building skills. Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while building trust and respect.
• Ability to follow YouthCare’s Taking Call policy when providing occasional Safe Place coverage. Policy requirements are:
• No use of alcohol or any substance that would cause the staff member to be under the influence. Staff members taking call are expected to abide by YouthCare’s Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace policy as if on-duty.
• Maintain cell phone coverage for entire time staff is taking call. Respond to calls and messages promptly.
• Be able to answer calls at any time and physically be present if necessary.
• Maintain the ability to be accessible for calls across King County within 45 minutes.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• 2 or more years of case management experience.
• Knowledge and experience working with disadvantaged young people in the areas of crisis intervention, child abuse/neglect, juvenile justice, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, public assistance rights, sexual abuse and assault, family dynamics.
• BA in Social Work, Psychology, or related field. Degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis by a High School, Diploma, GED, or Associate Degree and successful experience working with vulnerable young people, except for those positions where a degree is required by contract/licensing.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
• Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one-year of hire date).
• Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position, must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, meet minimum safe driver criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Defensive Driving and 15-passenger Van trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3-years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
• Ability to obtain a current Food Handler’s Card
• Successful completion of pre-service training as required by the contracting agency. Trainings such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, CSEC and Behavior Management.
• Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• May have to perform a range of physical motions such as standing, walking, sitting for prolonged periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; moving rapidly for brief periods of time; and going up and down stairs.

BENEFITS: YouthCare provides a competitive benefits package to full time employees including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave after successful completion of the 90- day Introductory Period.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: YouthCare is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs and YouthCare is committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, regardless of actual or perceived sex; race; color; religious creed; national origin; ancestry; age; marital status; pregnancy; nursing parent status; physical, mental or sensory disability; medical condition; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); military or veteran status; or any other basis protected by federal, state and/or local laws. People of
Color and Members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications are reviewed through YouthCare’s Applicant Tracking System. To apply for this position, please click on the hyper link - Search for Exciting Job Opportunities with YouthCare or visit YouthCare’s website at www.youthcare.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.93 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

COVID-19 considerations:
COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare. Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at time of On-Boarding.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Seattle, WA 98105: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Seattle, WA 98105

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