Bilingual Family Advocate

San Diego Youth Services

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Bilingual Family Advocate

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Bilingual Family Advocate in the Adoptions program to be based at the San Diego office location.  This is a full-time & non-exempt position reporting to the Adoptions Program Manager.

San Diego Youth Services: Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 780,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to:

1. Meet the basic needs of youth.  Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
2. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.
3. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
4. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.

SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million.

You can learn more about us at www.sdyouthservices.org

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION OR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION HIRING FOR

Our Adoption Support Services Program began in 1998 with the goal of creating a community of adoptive families bringing hope and the tools necessary to provide safe, sensitive and lasting homes for children and teens who have come to the adoption journey.

We welcome all families from every region of San Diego County who are in the process of adopting or who have already adopted infants, children and teens. Our services include support groups, movie nights, attachment and adoption focused therapy, parent coaching, family advocacy, and much more! Our hope is that families will join us and find an encouraging and resourceful home in the community of adoptive families. 

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

Family Advocates work collaboratively to provide direct services to adoptive families including mentor/tutoring, movie nights, outings, parent coaching, resource referrals, and other supportive services.
Essential functions include:

• Provide one-on-one mentor/tutoring to youth throughout the County at their home, school, or community setting.
• Regularly contact families in caseload to provide emotional support, resources, and referrals.
• Participate in the development and facilitation of social skills groups and enrichment activities for toddlers, school-age youth, pre-teens, and teens.
• Collaborate with planning and facilitating 4 Friday night movie nights throughout the County and at least 1 Saturday outing per month.
• Support coordination of staff, volunteers, and outside mentors/tutors including matching, training, and collecting satisfaction surveys.
• Conduct new family intakes.
• Maintain the records’ data collection and contract compliance as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree in social work or social-service-related field or equivalent experience, with 2 years’ experience in social services. Familiarity with attachment, trauma-informed care, foster care system, and/or adoptions preferred. 
• Must possess or be willing to develop a working knowledge of trauma-informed youth and family services.
• Must be familiar with dual diagnosis and treatment.
• Bi-Lingual English/Spanish required.
• Helpful characteristics for this position include compassion, active listening, empathy, creativity, enthusiasm, openness, and a willingness to learn.
• Must be comfortable working with Microsoft Office programs and agency case management database.
• Must be available to work some evenings and weekends.
• Must have a reliable vehicle, relevant auto insurance, a clean driving record, and be willing to drive throughout San Diego County (mileage reimbursement available).
• Must be willing to transport youth.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid Certification. Must complete the required clearances including TB test, drug test, and background check.

SDYS EXPECTATIONS

• Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA. 
• Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments.
• Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.
• Employment is subject to required clearances which include tuberculosis test, fingerprinting, background checks, and drug testing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The ability to bend at the waist, kneel, or crouch to assist youth.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand, to exchange accurate information and make presentations.
• The ability to lift and carry 20 pounds-lifting books, materials, and equipment to execute lessons and presentations.
• Able to observe details at a close range and interpret the information (such as reading), prepare, and review a variety of documents related to activities of the youth and to be able to monitor youth activities.
• Sitting or standing (stationary position) for extended periods of time.
• Traversing extended lengths to move around campuses.
• Potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior. 

Salary Range: $21.00 - $23.00/hour + up to $1500 annual bilingual differential based on proficiency

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website.

SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution.  SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.  Read more about the PSLF program here.

All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services. 

As an organization working to meet the basic needs of youth, create positive connections, help youth develop life skills, and promote overall health and well-being, SDYS believes its practices and actions must reflect the highest level of commitment to access, equity, and social justice.

The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members invest in their work represents not only part of the SDYS’ culture, but the SDYS’ reputation and achievements as well.  SDYS remains open to feedback from all communities it touches and knows that input from those with direct experience of issues will make the SDYS more effective in achieving its goals.

SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States.

SDYS is proud to be a kindness certified company.