Position Summary: Under the direction of Bright Future Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Youth Services Advocate supports the mission of the organization by providing violence prevention programming at the individual, school, and community level. The Youth Services Advocate will work primarily with youth survivors aged 9-25 years and their families. The Youth Services Advocate will administer all Buddy Mentors activities including but not limited to junior and senior Buddy recruitment, mentor training and planning and implementation of Buddy events. In addition, the Youth Services Advocate oversees the implementation school-based programs prioritizing the use of evidence-based prevention models and assessment measures. The Youth Services Advocate serves as lead coordinator for youth outreach including planning and organizing program involvement. The Youth Services Advocate meets regularly with the advocacy and behavioral health teams to discuss youth advocacy, youth programming and community partnerships. The Youth Services Advocate attends regular staff meetings, maintains client records, composes program updates, institutes assessment and quality assurance measures, and provide general office support duties as needed. The Youth Services Advocate also may provide emergency, on-call coverage for the 24-7 crisis line on a rotating basis. Job description is subject to additional responsibilities as assigned. This position is an exempt position with an expectation of a minimum of 36 hours per week.

Youth Services Advocate Responsibilities 

Youth-Centered Advocacy (50% of time, approx. 16 hrs/wk) 

Conducts intake and needs assessments with new survivors.

Provides advocacy services for survivors including safety planning, building support networks, processing trauma, and healing from abuse.

Advocates a holistic view of healing, focusing on psychological, economic, legal, physical/medical, and educational ramifications of abuse

Provides co-response for SANE exams.

Provides community-based mobile supportive services to survivors including transportation assistance, resource coordination.

Creates survivor-driven treatment plans focusing on both short and long-term goals.                                       

Assists youth survivors with obtaining additional services such as educational and camp scholarships.

Provides referrals for behavioral health and legal services as needed.

Provides emergency, on-call coverage for the 24-7 crisis line on a rotating basis.

Responds to emergency calls/situations as needed.

Completes appropriate paperwork with all survivors in a complete and timely manner.

Utilizes assessment or quality assurance measures regularly and maintain responses in Café database.

Performs all work in a culturally responsive manner consistent with Bright Future Foundation’s mission and philosophy.

Buddy Mentor Program (25% of time, approx. 8 hrs/wk) 

• Coordinate strategic outreach and recruitment to engage Senior Buddy volunteers and community youth in the Buddy Mentors Program.
• Recruit new mentors throughout the Eagle County community. Conduct background checks and intake interviews with all mentors.
• Provide structured mentor training for all new mentors.
• Collaborate with community organizations and case managers to identify youth that would benefit from a mentoring relationship.
• Conduct intake meetings with all youth referred to the Buddy Mentors program, maintaining a database of youth participants and program waitlist.
• Using geographic location, interests, psychosocial history, etc. establish Buddy Mentors dyads between mentors and mentees.
• Establish monthly contact with junior and senior buddies to determine possible need for additional services and to ensure appropriate level of interaction is occurring.
• Provide additional supportive services or appropriate referrals for junior or senior buddies as needed.
• Utilize assessment or quality assurance measures regularly and maintain responses in database.
• Coordinate and execute events for mentor dyads, as well as youth on the waiting list.
• Develop and maintain community partnerships to assist and support events.
• Complete quarterly program updates including number of youth served and outcomes for grant reports.
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School-based Outreach (25% of time, approx. 8 hrs/wk) 

Collaborate with the COO and Prevent Protect Prevail Manager to implement school-based social-emotional curriculum in Eagle County high schools and middle schools.

Work with academic institutions to provide primary prevention interpersonal violence training to staff.

Participate in community partnership meetings with school-based and youth-serving organizations to support community-wide goals to meet the needs of local youth.

Provide additional one-time prevention and intervention presentations, as requested by the schools.

Utilize assessment or quality assurance measures regularly and maintain responses in database.

Coordinates community outreach events to promote domestic and sexual violence awareness.

Fulfill grant reporting requirements, assist in grant writing as needed to maintain program funding.

Actively promotes Bright Future Foundation’s mission/vision by participating in awareness-building opportunities (trainings, forums, panel discussions, etc).

Qualifications

A minimum of one-year experience and demonstrated competence in survivor-centered youth advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations and/or a minimum of three years’ experience and demonstrated competence with primary prevention.

Demonstrated competence with program coordination, including but not limited to: training, public speaking, facilitation, collaboration, detailed program planning and timely implementation.

Strong, proven ability to: mediate differences of philosophy and opinion; maintain calm, efficient, and good-humored approach to work while managing competing priorities in a fast paced, highly productive work environment; work independently and as a team member; think critically and with foresight; carry out assignments with limited direction; adapt to change; and be nimble and flexible.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to engage in cultural humility.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Ability to comfortably drive or commute to neighborhoods throughout the community and occasionally out of area travel. Must have own vehicle with insurance. (Mileage reimbursement available)

All Applicants must provide enough information for a thorough background check.

Valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Ability to prepare reports.

Ability to respond effectively in crises with a judgment-free attitude.

Familiarity with community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with youth or youth-serving organizations
• Bachelor's and/or Master’s Degree in Social Work, Education or another related field
• Bilingual Spanish a plus but not required

NOTE: This job description is not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework for the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements of the work of the Bright Future Foundation and are subject to reasonable modifications to accommodate individuals with disabilities. 

E.O.E. – Bright Future Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Hiring Range:  $57,100 to $62,800

Please email your cover letter and resume to holly@mybrightfuture.org