Job DetailsLevelEntryJob LocationChildrens Receiving Home - Sacramento, CAPosition TypeFull TimeEducation Level4 Year DegreeSalary Range$19.00 HourlyTravel PercentageUp to 50% Job CategoryNonprofit - Social ServicesDescriptionPosition Summary:The Youth Mentor will assure that the voice of youth and clients is brought forth and always heard at the agency. This is achieved through this position, held by a youth who can amplify the voice of youth and clients, filtered through their own experience. This position will assure Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento (CRH) youth participate in Resident Council, that responses are made to their requests, that a series of youth focus groups are held on campus on issues important to youth, that youth have a voice in the further design of this program, and that the voice of youth is brought to the Administrative staff for action on youth's own terms. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Hold regular Resident Council group; review personal rights and maintain minutes.
- Present administrative staff with feedback from the groups.
- Report CRH youths' needs, desires, and concerns.
- Serve as youth and client representatives to CRH leadership and appropriate members of the youth's support team.
- Provide a series of groups for youth seeking their input, advice, and involvement.
- Seek youth input on further design of this program.
- Amplify the voice and involvement of youth on campus.
- Gather CRH client input on all items related to programs, facilities, and related topics.
- Serve as a vehicle for change in the program based on client input.
- Serve as an advocate for CRH youth at all times. Attend and actively participate in appropriate meetings and/or appointments in support of the youth.
- Provide ongoing evaluation of the program when focus and need may need to be revised.
- Engage youth in activities and teach valuable life skills to empower them and allow them to fully develop their own strengths and abilities.
- Provide CRH youth with opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and other skills to make positive life choices about their future.
- Support outcome measures for programs, including revisions to the existing Client Satisfaction surveys, based on youth input.
- Assist in the development of pre and posttest measures and other outcome measure devices related to this effort.
- Responsible for creating a favorable group climate in which the youth's safety, emotional nurturing and healthy development are of primary concern.
- Provide a caring, warm environment for the youth through setting clear boundaries, supporting, encouraging, and giving verbal praise and acknowledgment to youth for positive actions and decisions to help build self-esteem, age-appropriate interpersonal skills, positive thinking, problem solving, proper language, coping skills, respect for others and self and brainstorming alternative, appropriate behaviors, etc.
- Maintain knowledge of the level system and how it applies to each child/youth. Accurately relay and interpret CRH plans and procedures that are in place to meet the needs of the youth outlined in the level system.
- Maintain discipline and group control at all times, reporting any unresolved conflicts to a supervisor in a timely manner.
- Pro-act and check in with the youth frequently to prevent crisis situations. After an incident has occurred, follow-up and process with the child to prevent further crisis situations and complete any necessary documentation.
- Intervene in crisis situations as learned in TCI to ensure the safety of clients and staff.
- Responsible for being an informed and supportive team member.
- Complete written documentation per program requirements, and in compliance with agency policy and training.
- Ensure accurate recording of worked hours and notify a supervisor of any discrepancies in a timely manner and in accordance with agency guidelines.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:NoneQualificationsQualifications: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. Ability to work varied hours including nights, weekends, and holidays. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Language Ability:Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as client safety/treatment plans, assessment materials and procedure manuals. Ability to write professional/clinical reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.Computer Skills:To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Internet Explorer.Education/Experience:
- Required
- BA/BS Degree, or Child Development Teaching Permit
- or 12 semester units of Early Childhood Education (ECE) units, Adolescent Development units, Foster and Kinship Care Education and at least 100 hours of experience working with youth.
- or valid certificate as an Alcohol Counselor, Drug Counselor or Alcohol and Drug Counselor and at least 100 hours experience working with youth.
- or valid Vocational Training certificate, credential or documentation demonstrating experience as a trade journeyperson who instructs children in vocational skills and at least 100 hours experience working with youth.
- or previously employed as a staff or volunteer at a group home or short-term therapeutic center for at least one year.
- Lived experience as a child or youth served by the foster care/behavioral health system required, services received through CRH preferred.
Licenses, Certifications, Registrations:
- Must possess a valid California Driver's License. Must be able to meet the Agency's rules and be eligible to drive for business. The Agency's insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must pass First Aid certification course before start of employment. Certification can be completed through the Children's Receiving Home.
- Must pass CPR within the first six weeks of employment.
- Must pass Bloodborne Pathogens and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification courses offered through the Children's Receiving Home within the first three months of employment.
- Must maintain TCI, CPR, First Aid and BBP Certification throughout employment.
- Must complete online Mandated Reporter Training within first week of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:
- Must understand the key and critical need for a youth voice in CRH programs.
- Must evidence a strong and clear commitment to this program and the concept of youth development.
- Skill to instruct, direct, counsel, and encourage individuals and groups of children.
- Ability to maintain discipline and group control in a therapeutic manner.
- Skill to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
- Skill to listen attentively to clients, co-workers, and supervisors.
- Skill to plan and organize multiple tasks at one time.
- Knowledge of child/adolescent development, and/or child psychology to identify and encourage age- appropriate behavior, as well as understand the client's behaviors and reactions is preferred.
- Knowledge of medications and their reactions is preferred.
- Knowledge of basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
- Ability to relate with children in a nurturing and respectful manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with children and families.
- Ability to work cooperatively with a culturally diverse client population and work force.
- Ability to work with community and outside agencies in a collaborative and cooperative manner.
- Ability to work effectively in a team/group or individual setting.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Work and Outlook preferred.
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. 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; use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral 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. 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 exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.