Youth Advocate II

We are currently hiring for a Youth Advocate II at our Rochester, NY location This is a full time position - 40 hours per week - Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. The Youth Advocate II (YA) works independently (solo) at a school location to provide support and mentoring services to assigned youth in the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. YA II's utilize best practices from youth development models to assist students in achieving positive academic outcomes including high school graduation, attaining life skills and an employment experience. YA II's support the development of good habits that enable students to successfully transition from high school to college or the workplace post-graduation. YA II's build and sustain strong relationships with school principals, administrators and teachers to ensure program fidelity between Team Manager visits. Essential Functions include (but are not limited to):

• Meets weekly with students enrolled on his/her case-load in the academic environment to review grades, attendance, social skills, and future plans. Teaches student strategies for becoming self-sufficient (juggling school, work, friends; planning for college).

• Develops strong relationships with students and their families to understand home issues that might impede school, work, and post-secondary success. Provides referrals to community support services as necessary.

• Completes monthly family interactions through home visits and/or phone calls to ensure that parents and/or guardians are informed of, and in agreement with the service goals established for their child.

• Connects and builds strong relationships with school based personnel (Principals, Administrators, teachers, Support Center Staff).

• Partners with core subject teachers and school counselors to ensure students on their case-load come to class on-time and prepared to learn.

• Works with student on his/her case-load and their family (parents/guardian) to develop an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP); uses the IGP as a guide to gauge student progress. Works with assigned students and their family to revise their IGP's bi-annually.

• Reviews student’s academic progress weekly; connects students who have GPA's below 2.0 (C) and/or a 69% (D) or lower in a core subject with tutoring services.

• Assists seniors on his/her caseload planning to attend college develop a transition plan; monitors student progress against the plan during weekly meetings, tracks plan progress in ETO.

• Facilitates all evidence based course work, service learning projects, and social-life activities (i.e. pre-employment readiness training, evidence based course work facilitation, etc.) at his/her assigned location.

• Provides transportation services (using personal vehicle and/or agency vans) for HW-SC students attending tutoring services, enrichment activities, and field trips.

Requirements: Associates degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology or related field with 2 years relevant experience working with youth and their families in a urban setting required OR Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1 year of experience. Excellent written and verbal skills a must for accurate data reporting. Bilingual in Spanish is a plus. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and must meet agency driving standards.