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Form of workValley Youth House empowers and strengthens the lives of children, youth and families through inclusive programming that builds resilience and fosters growth and independence.
We are currently looking for a qualified applicant to fill the following position: FT In Schools Peer Advocate - $19.50hr - $23hr.
Job Description:
- The Synergy in Schools Peer Advocate is responsible for outreach, case management, referral services, and administrative services for the Emergency Services Team with The Synergy in Schools Program. They will work directly with youth in the community and within the Philadelphia School District to help support and identify students experiencing homelessness. Under the authority of the Vice President and the Associate Director of Emergency Services, this position reports directly to the Synergy in Schools Supervisor.
- To provide school, street, and community based outreach to youth experiencing homelessness and eligible for the McKinney Vento Program.
- To provide direct service support to youth and students experiencing homelessness including providing gateway services, referral and resources, one on one support using a positive youth development and harm reduction approach.
- Facilitate and support Youth Ambassador peer education group with monthly meetings, workshops, and conferences.
- To complete required tracking and program documentation in a timely manner.
- To maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries and conduct in all settings where services may occur including, but not limited to agency vehicles, community locations, and office spaces.
- To manage an active caseload of up to 25 youth.
- To become familiar with targeted schools and locations within the program's geographical area of operation in which youth congregate frequently and engage them in services and opportunities to re-engage with their education.
- To work closely with the network of provider partners within the Philadelphia School District and McKinney Vento Program, and to follow all policies and procedures administered within the system.
- To foster and maintain working relationships with other agencies that come into contact or work with homeless or street youth and disseminate program information directly or in the form of a presentation to community stakeholders.
- To provide youth referrals and linkages to community based services. This includes tracking follow up and status of referrals and youth progress with services.
- Understand and adhere to Valley Youth House policies, practices and procedures.
- To participate in weekly scheduled supervision with a direct supervisor and be prepared with an agenda and to attend and actively participate in team meetings.
- To attend both external and internal agency training and workshops and complete and pass all required training as set forth in the funder and licensing regulations as required.
- To complete other related tasks as appropriate or assigned.
- The Synergy in Schools Peer Advocate shall be a mature individual with the ability to identify with and adapt to the goals and philosophies of positive youth development in the Synergy in Schools program.
- They will possess sound judgment and knowledge of youth and young adults development. This individual will be organized and highly adept at managing multiple tasks and assignments.
- Successful team members are creative thinkers and flexible in their approaches to people and projects.
- They will be comfortable in working in a wide variety of outdoor and urban settings. They will work nontraditional hours.
- They must have and maintain a valid driver's license and ability to operate agency vehicles. They will never have been convicted of any prohibited criminal or child abuse offense.
- A minimum of a high school diploma
- 1 - 2 years of experience working with youth and young adults, and lived experience of homelessness or housing insecurity.
- Certified Peer Specialist Certificate
The list of essential/key functions/duties, as outlined herein, is intended to be all-inclusive of the tasks performed within this position. It is not necessarily descriptive of all functions/duties within the position. The omission of a function/duty does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein, other duties may be assigned.
**If eligible: Medical, vision, and prescription benefits available after the first month of hire, Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Off, 401k Benefits and employer match, Employer-paid clearances, physical, and training, Opportunities for Tuition assistance, Opportunities for licensure supervision hours for LCSW and LPC.
Valley Youth House provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
VYH works from a Trauma Informed / Healing Centered perspective, incorporating positive youth and human development, and cultural awareness into all aspects of our agency. We want our clients and staff to feel safe, have choice and voice, collaborate in a trusting environment, and be empowered to make a difference in their own lives and the agency.
*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
*Valley Youth House reserves the right to perform periodic record checks in order to comply with program, local, state & federal guidelines.
