Lgbtq+ Youth Advocate

Karis

Karis is a nonprofit organization in Grand Junction, CO. Our mission is to eliminate long term poverty and hopelessness in vulnerable young people in Mesa County, ages 13-24, by providing access to safe and stable housing and the support needed to grow in self-sufficiency and well-being. Karis provides four types of housing solutions:

Emergency Shelter Domestic Violence Shelter

Transitional Living Permanent Supportive Living

Our programs include Crime Victim Services, Rapid Rehousing (Supplement), Phoenix Initiative (LGBTQ), and Street Outreach. We provide 6 services, including:

Drop-In Day Center Crime Victim Advocacy

Case Management Housing Vouchers

24 Hour On-Call Life Skills Groups

Job Description

The LGBTQ+ Youth Advocate (YA) will report to and work with LGBTQ+ Engagement Coordinator to provide services to unhoused youth ages 13-24, who are LGBTQ+. This team will support youth and help them build resiliency through youth-led activities. The YA will provide support to all Karis programs, help develop inclusive spaces where youth feel like they belong and implement inclusive policy. Must be able to work some shifts on weekends and evenings, including holidays as needed.

This position will, at times, require transporting youth in a personal vehicle.

All programmatic positions require successful FBI, CBI & TRAILS background screenings along with a 7-year motor vehicle record check to fulfill essential functions of the job.

Availability:

This is a part time, 20 hours per week position at $16.00 an hour. Must be able to work shifts on weekends and holidays as needed. Shift times are flexible and will vary based on youth interest and youth availability (to be determined by youth).

Primary Duties

A. The YA will assist in conducting outreach with local schools and agencies to identify youth who will qualify and benefit from LGBTQ+ and other Karis programs.

B. The YA will build rapport with youth.

C. The YA will assist youth in determining activities and initiatives and will help facilitate planning and implementation of said activities and initiatives, encouraging and supporting youth along the way.

D. In addition to LGBTQ+ specific programming, YA will be providing staffing support to each program, specifically The House, Laurel House, and Street Outreach, to maintain a presence.

E. YA will be working frequently with volunteers.

F. Other duties

· Attend and participate in staff meetings

· Initiate conflict resolution among youth

· Display positive morale; speak positively and objectively about the agency and its programs

· Attend other meetings and trainings as needed/required

· Additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

· Requires a minimum of one year of experience working with at risk youth.

· Knowledge and experience with Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing preferred

· Experience in the LGBTQ+ community

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Knowledge and Abilities

· Excellent ability to communicate verbally and written, with a wide range of people

· Effective planning and organization skills

· Proven ability to maintain good working relationships with a variety of people and groups

· Ability to learn, affirm, internalize, and apply evidence-based approaches

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

· Relative competency in LGBTQ+ issues, language and concepts.

Compensation and Benefits

Karis provides competitive pay. Salary to commensurate with education, experience, training and market benchmarking via the CO Non-Profit Salary Survey. The salary range is $16.00 - $18.00 an hour.

Equal Opportunity

Karis Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, gender identity or expression or veteran status.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person