The Youth Advocate position requires an organized, responsible, compassionate person to work in a data-driven social intervention program that provides mentorship and hands-on learning for youth living in medium to high-risk environments and who interact with Pierce County Juvenile Court. The Youth Advocacy Team Partner position is a fundamentally important role at TBB. Youth Advocates work directly with youth and adult volunteers to support the development of strong, positive relationships. Most importantly, Youth Advocacy Team Partners function in cooperation with TBB program staff to support, coach, and advocate with and for youth in our programs so that they are better able to envision and create positive interactions with others in their lives.
The successful candidate will be responsible for a variety of tasks in the day-to-day running of TBB youth programs including, but not limited to: Communication with youth, families, and additional stakeholders, program related data entry and information management, and serving as a representative of TBB with partner organizations and members of the community.
The successful candidate must be able to; interface with youth participants and volunteer mentor-craftspeople, serve alongside TBB staff, to help document the program sessions, support intake processing; support youth and mentors as they collaborate, support progress/outcomes for each youth, help with identifying and supporting appropriate referrals for outside services when needed, communicate with Pierce County Juvenile Court staff as needed, and maintain databases and reports on participants.
Service Activities
-Advocate with and for the youth internally and in the other environments where TBB youth are facing barriers to their success.
-Participate in weekly program planning and staff meetings.
-Participate in positive youth development training, anti-racism practices, and other related learning spaces to promote a healthy, supportive environment for all who come to TBB.
-Facilitate dialog and feedback sessions with youth and families connected to TBB.
-Facilitate the process of preserving the knowledge and stories of both youth and volunteer members of the TBB community.
-Participate in program activities as a supportive presence for youth and adults.
-Serve as a mentor to youth participants.
-Assist with transportation of youth to/from program site as needed.
-Assist TBB staff with special projects including: development, outreach, special events, etc.
-Participate in regular professional development, team-building, and service activities
Community Need Addressed
Young people often come into contact with the criminal justice system as a result of normal adolescent behavior, such as taking risks and pushing boundaries. Due to institutional racism and implicit bias, this happens more often for Black and Brown youth through the over-policing of communities of color, racial profiling, and disproportionate minority sentencing. The isolation and stigma surrounding criminal justice system involvement create additional barriers preventing youth and young adults from achieving their full potential. Protective factors, such as participation in positive youth development programs and connection to caring adults, can create safe and supportive environments for youth that prevent and reduce contact with the criminal justice system.
Position Outcomes
The Imagine Justice Project is a collaborative Pierce County effort to strengthen youth development and advance equitable, community-centered justice systems. One of the primary strategies of the Imagine Justice program is to leverage AmeriCorps volunteers to build the capacity of local organizations to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed positive youth development programs, and services.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
-Access to a supportive learning environment where elder craftspeople, retired professionals from many fields, and a talented team of youth workers come together to support each other in a collaborative learning environment.
-Access to all professional development and youth development opportunities available to TBB staff.
-Upon successful completion of safety sign-off, access to the tools, equipment, and materials available in our shop.
-Upon successful completion of safety sign-off, access to the various watercraft owned and maintained by TBB.
-Mileage reimbursement, use of facilities/services offered by TBB.
Education Benefits
Skills and knowledge related to positive youth development
Skills you will gain
Trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, Youth Program Quality (YPQ) methods, implicit bias, systemic racism, social-emotional learning
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment