TITLE: Youth and Family Advocate

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

As the Youth and Family Advocate, you will work closely with the CEO and Director of Operations to serve as the lead, both internally and externally, toward the implementation of trauma informed practices. Internally, you will work with the Director of Operations to coordinate professional development for staff, provide input related to individual member situations, and supervise MSW interns from a variety of colleges. Externally, you will create and manage community contacts and provide referrals for members when appropriate.

KEY ROLES (Essential Job Responsibilities):

• In cooperation with Club leadership, help to implement best practices and monitor social or behavioral interventions for individual Club members
• Identify gaps in services and provide Clubs support in response to member needs, such as: family crisis/life education, substance abuse prevention, peer pressure, and other unique needs of members
• Interact with members to assist with the character and social development of individual youth, while promoting the philosophy, goals, objectives, standards, and mission of the Boys & Girls Club
• Assist staff with appropriately responding to and supporting Club members who have been involved in inappropriate behavior
• Collaborate daily with Club staff to discuss issues, provide/receive information, and promote consistency in response to member needs in accordance with Club policies and procedures

• Maintain contact with external community groups, schools, member’s parents, and others to assist in responding to the unique needs of Club members
• Develop collaborative partnerships with other Clubs, consultants and vendors, as well as youth serving, professional and/or nonprofit organizations, to maintain professional credibility within the community
• Contribute to relevant grants and other funding opportunities to sustain and grow services and partnerships
• Establish and maintain relationships with colleges and universities to secure field placement and internship study support for the Clubs’ guidance and youth development counseling programs
• Supervise MSW interns and their support within the Clubs
• May be required to drive Club van periodically

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Maintains close, daily contact with Club leadership, Director of Operations, and CEO to receive/provide information, discuss issues, explain or interpret guidelines/instructions; instruct, and advise/counsel

External: Maintains contact with external community partners and others to assist in finding outside care

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Four-year degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university
• Knowledge of youth development
• Knowledge of the mission, objectives, policies, programs, and procedures of Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to develop solutions to problems with limited supervision
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Club staff, subordinates, Board members, community groups, and other related agencies
• Mandatory CPR and First Aid certifications

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• An LMSW with one-year experience working with underserved populations preferred, or an MSW working towards their LMSW

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