Cambridge, MA

Type: Exempt, Full time

Supervisor: Managing Director of Youth Programs

Location: 430 Rindge Avenue, Suite #202, Cambridge, MA 02140

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Youth Advocate (SYA) provides Just A Start’s Youth Programs with wrap-around services and direct one-on-one case management. They are a trauma-informed and experienced youth worker, capable of helping trainees navigate the sometimes complex network of barriers standing in the way of their success. The Youth Programs portfolio includes a 10-month YouthBuild High School Equivalency and workforce training program for 16-24 year olds, as well as a young adult-focused renewable energy job training program that includes Solar Panel Installation and an Electrical pre-apprenticeship program. The Senior Youth Advocate manages a caseload of participants across these programs, delivering supportive services while they are enrolled and for another 12 months after they graduate. 

Just A Start is in year two of a 5-year strategic plan. The Youth Programs department has committed to further deepening its personal and professional supports, centering participant goals, and delivering job training with enhanced program resources. The ideal candidate brings at least 5-7 years experience with  case management, direct youth services, team leadership, social work, and/or human services. They are someone who is able to build trust with youth trainees, administer high support and referrals to community partners, and facilitate Life Skills classes that lead to improved personal wellbeing, post-secondary education success, and good paying jobs.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Just A Start is a community development corporation dedicated to promoting equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. We build and preserve affordable housing, offer education and workforce training, and provide housing resources and services to low-to moderate-income people in Cambridge and nearby communities. Founded in 1968 as a teen summer jobs program, Just A Start has a long history of serving young people in Cambridge. YouthBuild Just A Start is a full-time, comprehensive youth workforce development program for ages 16-24 in the Boston Metro North region. Our program is one of 11 independently operated YouthBuild programs and members of the Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition. As a proud affiliated member of the global YouthBuild movement, we help young people reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become community leaders. We define trainees by their potential, not their challenges, offering mentorship, counseling, and support. Utilizing positive youth development and trauma-informed practices, we provide wrap-around services and academic and career training to out of school youth.

 PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Establish and maintain strong and productive relationships with trainees, family members, guardians, and other supportive service providers
• Manage a youth/young adult case load of active trainees and alumni.
• Support trainees with setting goals and socioemotional skills that contribute to career/post-secondary education placement and retention.
• Administer supportive service benefits and identify and advocate for internal and external policy and partnership solutions to address unmet trainee needs.
• Help participants and alumni apply for unemployment, SNAP, housing, and other community resources.
• Advocate for trainees who are court-involved through communication with lawyers and court-room advocates, and accompanying youth to court appearances as necessary.
• Lead case conferencing in team meetings, protecting youth confidentiality while supporting front line staff to understand youth needs and provide guidance on differentiated instruction.
• Work with the Associate Director of Youth Development to design trauma-informed performance improvement plans to keep trainees on track.
• Contribute to trainee progress reviews, which ensure that trainees receive timely feedback from instructors and staff across program components.
• Manage a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA resource coordinator with the additional potential to  manage a masters level clinical intern (depending on licensure).
• Facilitate Life Skills classes (whether through guest speakers, field trips, or direct facilitation) to promote trainee socio-emotional wellbeing.
• Participate in pre-program orientations to assess participant readiness and develop supportive service plans.
• Maintain participant records and complete case notes and other required case management documentation in a timely, accurate, and strengths-based manner.
• Work closely with Youth Programs’ LICSW clinical consultant to manage caseloads, prepare for case conferencing, and develop front line staff training with support from program leadership.

 QUALIFICATIONS / KEYS TO SUCCESS

• Bachelor’s degree required in social work, human services or similar area of study, and/or an equivalent combination of experience and education; MSW or clinical licensure is a plus, but not required.
• 5-7 years of related experience in case management and/or direct service delivery to young people (ages 16-24) facing significant barriers to success is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with populations dealing with court-involvement, addiction, mental health, housing instability, and food insecurity.
• Passion for working with young people and ability to build positive relationships with an equity-centered mindset.
• Experience and/or comfort with group facilitation/training.
• Strong verbal and written communicator who is capable of managing up, down and across the department and organization to deliver high quality and integrated services.
• Growth-mindset, patience, and understanding of the evergreen nature of youth needs and goals.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn Google Workspace, Box, Zoom, and Salesforce (or other CRM) preferred.
• Must work in-person from the Cambridge office a minimum of 4 days per week, with a 5th day as needed, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Willingness to work flexible hours outside of Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, as needed in service to young people.
• Acceptable background check is required.

 We know that no individual candidate will possess every skill or experience listed. Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. If you’re excited about this role and our mission, we want to hear from you!

TO APPLY / WHAT TO EXPECT:

Please submit a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for the role.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The starting annual salary for this role is $70,000 - $80,000. In addition to a competitive salary, Just A Start offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, Paid Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, 13 paid holidays, individual professional development budgets, and a 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution. In addition, Just A Start has implemented a “Find Your Joy Fridays” benefit that allows staff to leave early on Fridays.

Just A Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our staff represents a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds coming together in pursuit of common goals. We value diversity and work together to create an inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive and belong. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Normal office conditions and classrooms. The noise level in the work environment is moderate and can occasionally be loud.