Girls412 Program Advocate
JOB DESCRIPTION
| JOB PURPOSE |
| The Girls412 is a strengths-based, community-based, youth-driven advocacy program for youth identifying as girls who are involved in, or at risk for involvement in, the juvenile legal system. ROSES’ uses a trauma-informed model of care to increase girls’ access to resources. The Girls412 Advocate’s role is individualized to the needs of the client. Provide advocacy support to meet a girl’s individual needs and goals and connecting them to community resources. |
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS |
| Education: Minimum requirement is a High School Diploma. The ideal candidate should be working towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s in a relevant discipline (public policy, education, sociology, psychology, African Studies, or related field enrolled in post-secondary education program).
Licensure/Certification: N/A
Minimum Requirements: Ø Must participate in 40 hours of intensive mandatory training Ø Must maintain consistent professional communication with supervisors Ø A strong interest in a social justice advocacy Ø Strong interpersonal, communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills Ø Knowledge of inequity issues that impact girls and young women of color. Ø Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues that impact girls living in underserved, low socioeconomic areas. Ø Must be available to work evenings and some weekends when required Ø Willing to work in and travel to various neighborhoods in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Ø Valid PA driver’s license with excellent driving record, reliable vehicle, insurance 300/100,000 and registration required.
Clearances Required: PA Act 33 (Child Abuse) / Act 34 (Criminal History) / Federal Criminal History Record (FBI Fingerprint)/National Sex Offender Registry
Other Skills/Abilities: Ø Must demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the cultural diversity of clients Ø Ability to make safe and appropriate decisions during times of crisis |
| POSITION SUMMARY |
| Ø Build a rapport and establish a supportive relationship with your girl in order to advocate on her behalf.
Ø Provide support and opportunities for each girl to learn and grow and meet their goals and needs. Ø You role will include: Facilitating communication skills for providing a strengths-based narrative to critical individuals (such as client’s guardian, guidance counselor, case manager, lawyer, judge etc.); Mobilizing visits to potential employment settings, counselor appointments and court dates; and Targeting organizations in youth’s context in order to secure resources that meet the youth’s unmet needs Ø Must meet with your client in person two times per week; providing 8-10 hours of advocacy on your client’s behalf, including meetings. Ø Conducts quarterly assessments regarding the girl’s progress in the program. Ø Must document sessions held with your girl via completion of weekly progress reports, contact logs, and field journal entries and participate in written weekly supervision feedback. Ø Incorporates Sanctuary tools and practices into everyday interactions to create a trauma-informed environment. Upholds the principles of Sanctuary to provide a therapeutic framework and culture. Ø Actively participates in all required team meetings, trainings and supervisory sessions. Meets regularly with supervisor, communicates openly needs, concerns, and ideas; utilizes feedback given in supervisory sessions. Ø Performs in accordance with established system-wide competencies and receives satisfactory performance evaluations annually. Ø Performs other duties as assigned. |
| WORK ENVIRONMENT |
| Works in an afterschool setting with adolescent girls with adverse backgrounds. Staff must be prepared to engage in verbal and physical interventions in the event of a crisis.
Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching over head, speaking, hearing, reading comprehension and the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds. General Requirements: 1) Indoors in busy office, working in close proximity to co-workers; 2) Frequently required to work at a fast pace; 3) Requires considerable concentration and creativity; 4) Weekend and evening work required; 5) Travel required (transporting clients). |
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
Gwen’s Girls, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, or national origin. This policy includes the handicapped and all Vietnam-era veterans. Gwen’s Girls utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.
NOTE: This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be necessary for this role. Personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.