Full-time Youth Advocate

Join our team at Evergreen Youth and Family Services strengthening youth and preserving families in Northern Minnesota.  Evergreen is an established non-profit. Believing communities are strongest when every individual is treated with dignity and respect and has support to achieve their full human potential.  We are looking for a client centered employee with values in-line with our mission.
 
We prefer applicants seeking full-time employment have a college degree, are pursuing a degree in a human service-related field or have 3 years of experience working with at-risk youth. All applicants must be of good character, appropriate age (at least 21 years old) and maturity. Applicants must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and occasional overnight shifts. The Shelter will try to accommodate school schedules.

JOB SUMMARY: To provide case management and supervisory services to youth residing at the shelter including individual and group counseling, advocacy and outreach, household shift duties, and other support services related to operating a residential youth program. Also includes drop-in counseling to non-residential youth and parents and community education activities. This position requires the use of auditory and visual skills approximately 95% of the time.
 
DUTIES:

• Provide individual and group counseling to shelter residents.
• Provide case management services for shelter residents.
• Assist with family meetings as needed.
• Conduct household duties related to operating a residential program including meal preparation, housekeeping, supervision of youth, and recreational activities.
• Assist with support services to residents including follow-ups, education, youth outreach, and aftercare.
• Provide walk-in and telephone drop-in counseling services to community youth and families.
• Advocate for the needs of runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families.
• Assist with community outreach and education activities with schools, religious groups, area service providers, and other community programs.
• Assist with youth outreach activities. Provide advocacy and support to victims of crime.
• Work cooperatively with county and tribal programs including social services, law enforcement, probation, school districts, and other community youth services providers.
• Participate in agency and program staff meetings, retreats, and other agency-related functions.
• Maintain up-to-date client and drop-in record-keeping activities.
• Assist with data-gathering activities as required by funding sources and the agency.
• Conduct activities related to compliance with federal and state laws related to mandated reporting, DHS licensing, and HIPAA, the Data Privacy Act.
• Provide transportation to youth as needed using agency vehicles.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

 
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prefer a person with a bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field and/or three years of direct service with youth. Minimally, must have two years of college experience and must be willing to actively achieve a 4-year degree.
• Must be able to work flexible work schedules including evenings and weekends.
• Must have at least one year of experience working with youth and families.
• Must not currently be receiving services from Evergreen.
• Be able to work flexible hours including evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Must have previous individual and group counseling experience with adolescents that includes crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
• If chemically dependent, must have two years of sobriety (no alcohol or drug use for at least two years) and must maintain sobriety during the full period of employment.
• Be self-motivated and a good team builder.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with other agency programs, schools, law enforcement, probation, local community, tribal, county, state, regional, and national programs and organizations.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and valid vehicle insurance if you use your vehicle for non-client, work-related transportation.  Or must have a valid driver’s license and be able to make appropriate alternative transportation arrangements for work-related appointments and meetings.
• Must be a positive role model to staff, youth, families, and community.
• Must have solid computer skills including word processing and the ability to enter program documentation and statistics.
• Must have good written and oral communication skills and good organization skills.
• Treat agency co-workers, youth, and families with respect and courtesy.
• Exercise high standards of integrity and ethics.
• Exercise initiative, meet deadlines, and be dependable.
• Must maintain confidentiality and abide by HIPAA, the Data Privacy Act.
• Able to pass the Sexual Contact Background Check, Minnesota DHS Applicant Background Study, and a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension web-based Background Check.
• Successfully pass a drug test.

 
Physical Demands:
While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk and hear.  The employee is often required to sit and use his or her hands and fingers, to handle or feel.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  The employee must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
 
 
COMPENSATION:  $18.21– $22.36 per hour, with $1.00/hr for overnight shifts. Evergreen also offers a competitive cash benefits package, generous vacation/holiday/sick time/401 (k) match.

TO APPLY:  Visit www.evergreenyfs.org for application our on-line application or submit a cover letter, resume and Evergreen Job Application to Human Resources Director, Evergreen Youth & Family Services, P.O. Box 662, Bemidji, MN  56619 or email hr@evergreenyfs.org.

DEADLINE: This position will be open until filled. There are 2 open positions.

EVERGREEN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/ADA