Description

Job Title: Advocate - Youth Restorative Justice

Department: Community and Social Justice Programs  

FLSA Status: Non-exempt  

Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time 

Hiring Range: $19.50 - $22.29

NEKCA Mission Statement:

To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

SUMMARY:

Advocates at NEKCA build strong relationships with our community and participants to set goals and see positive outcomes for families and individuals. Advocates utilize a strengths-based approach to support individual and household well-being while collaborating with agency and community partners to support service delivery in a human-centered way.

This position is an Advocate for the Restorative Justice Programs in the Community and Social Justice Department that provides youth participants a restorative alternative to the court process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•   Perform intake per requirements of NEKCA/grantor. Determine and verify eligibility for all applicants in accordance with program guidelines
•   Collect and report all data accurately and timely into GoEngage to meet program deadlines
•   Assess participants in crisis to determine immediate needs and develop plan for response, including referrals (interagency and external)
•   Work collaboratively with community partners to address needs of low-income households
•   Understand and follow all program guidance and policies
•   Attend and participate in staff, agency and community meetings deemed necessary for job performance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop trusting, supportive relationships with youth and families.
• Collaborate with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), State’s Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, victim advocates, service providers, and community partners.
• Provide prevention, stabilization, case management, and restorative justice services to youth and families.
• Respond to emergency and crisis calls from law enforcement, youth, and families when on call, including evenings and weekends as scheduled.
• Write and maintain plans of care, case notes, service documentation, and reports consistent with program standards.
• Facilitate and co facilitate restorative circles, review boards, and victim impact classes.
• Encourage and support victim participation in restorative justice processes.
• Supervise juvenile participants in accordance with probation contracts, restorative panel agreements, and program expectations.
• Set up and coordinate BARJ review board panels in a timely manner.
• Ensure youth and families referred by courts or DCF receive adequate supports and services to meet referral expectations.
• Conduct Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) assessments per protocol and interagency agreements.
• Participate in DCF team meetings, case planning, court appearances as requested, and ongoing collaboration.
• Assist youth and families in developing and maintaining stable living environments and accessing critical appointments and essential needs.
• Build and strengthen networks of natural supports.
• Use trauma-informed restorative practices to engage youth in life skills development, including conflict resolution, social skills, problem solving, decision making, leadership, and community service.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team to make supportive decisions and coordinated plans for youth and families.
• Support and staff Youth Center activities and events as needed, which may include evenings, weekends, or holidays. 

Core Competencies:

•   Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community. 
•   Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications. 
•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems.
•   This position is considered a mandated reporter. 
•   Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work flexible hours (program dependent) 
•   Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations. 
•   Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
•   Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them.
•   Maintain confidentiality.
•   Complete all required trainings and professional development.

Core Values: 

•  Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCA’s Core Values.
•  Empower individuals to recognize and utilize their potential for growth and positive change.
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with the local community.
•  Involve community members in the organization's initiatives and decision-making processes.
•  Uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants and the community.
•  Participate in self-reflection and self-care practices to prevent burnout.
•  Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional codes of conduct.
•  Maintain participant confidentiality and ensure participant safety.
•  Use clear, respectful, and professional language and behavior when communicating with participants, colleagues, and other service providers.
•  Demonstrate a genuine understanding of and care for the needs and feelings of participants or service users. 
•  In-person attendance required during scheduled hours as defined by your supervisor.
•  Be respectful and sensitive to participants’ unique situations and challenges.
•  Represent NEKCA in public and advocate for its mission.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Position has occasional bending, stooping, or reaching for items. Standing or moving around the office area.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions of their job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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NEKCA is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by NEKCA. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities. 

Qualifications for positions within NEKCA are determined by the duties and responsibilities of the position itself.

Requirements

Education and experience:

BA (preferred)

1-2 years of relevant experience preferred

Background Checks:

Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background and driving records.

Transportation Requirements:

This position requires that employees possess a valid driver's license, favorable driving record results and have access to dependable transportation. 

This position may require transportation of participants.