Youth and Family Advocate I - Full-Time

The Youth & Family Advocate (YFA) works with alleged dependent and/or delinquent youths between the ages of 12-18 being served in the Shelter Division. This position is responsible for the direct daily care and supervision of youth.  The YFA must adhere to the Child Protective Services Law, the Juvenile Act and the Department of Human Services state regulations.  All work is performed under supervision.  The YFA is supervised by the Shelter Supervisor.  

• Process new admission documents, personal belongings and complete Intake procedure.
• Provide proper documentation and reports on incidents involving children.
• Mentors, supervises, and participates with youths in daily residential activities including recreation, education, work, meals, etc.
• Ensures the safety and well-being of youth both physically and mentally.
• Ensures that all policies and procedures are being followed in relation to shelter procedures.
• Ensure residents are adhering to facility policy and that their needs are being met.
• Initiates and conducts structured activities with the youth being served in the program.
• Perform other related work as required and properly communicates pertinent information to supervisors.
• Ability to guide and supervise juveniles and to use safe crisis management techniques effectively.
• Must sit with residents during mealtime, teaching table manners and good etiquette.
• Ability to maintain harmonious relationships with the public and other employees.
• Must have good moral and ethical character.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in social sciences; one [1] year of relevant experience.
• Driver's license or reliable transportation.
• Must obtain Pa. criminal history check, FBI clearance, child abuse clearance and pre-employment drug screening prior to employment.
• Must be available to work rotating shifts, holidays, and weekends.
• Must be physically capable of handling adolescents during crisis situations using established procedures.
• Must obtain a physical examination report from a licensed physician prior to employment.
• Must have excellent inter-personal, verbal and written communication skills.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.  

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.