JOB DESCRIPTION
Young Adult Advocate
To apply: Please submit a resume, 3 supervisor references, along with answers to the following questions (in lieu of a cover letter). When applying please include the job title in the subject line to the email address in the post. If you need accommodations to apply please reply to this post.
Supplemental Questions;
1. How do you define Radical Empowerment? How would you use radical empowerment as an approach to working with young people?
2. How do you define Harm Reduction? Why do you think Harm Reduction is important in this position?
3. How do you work with diverse groups or traditionally underserved communities? Why do you think it’s important to address diversity and equity issues in this position?
4. How does your previous experience make you a good fit for this position?
5. Do you have prior experience working with young people, if so please expand? Do you have prior case management experience, if so please expand?
6. How does working at CORE fit into your larger goals?
About CORE: Community Outreach through Radical Empowerment (CORE) is dedicated to supporting, empowering and advocating for young people in Lane County, surviving the effects of poverty, homelessness or other adversities. Our organization's philosophy and values are rooted in Harm Reduction, Social Justice, & Trauma Informed Care. CORE currently runs three programs and one project; Street Outreach Alliance Project (SOAP), Zephyr House Programs, Service Navigation Program (Case Management), and Harm Reduction Distribution (HRD) Services. CORE’s target age range is from 16-29. Please go to www.coreeugene.org for more information.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Young Adult Advocate is responsible for working on street outreach to out-of-home, runaway and homeless youth/young adults ages 16 - 29 in Eugene, Oregon. The Young Adult Advocate works as part of a team with other advocates. Additional responsibilities include referrals to other agencies, resource navigation, case management, community engagement, advocacy, client staffing and, developing community awareness.
Employee Full Time (40 hrs/wk) $24.03 an hour. 6 weeks of PTO per calendar year, 100% employer paid healthcare available.
Reports to: Community Program Manager
Level: Entry Level
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Street Outreach
1. Locate and provide street outreach to young people who are on the street or temporarily living with friends, family members, and other adults.
2. Make contact and develop rapport with young people who are experiencing homelessness.
3. Connect with schools, teen centers, public libraries, community businesses and other community services where young people are frequently located.
4. Maintain and interact in a culturally sensitive, respectful and aware demeanor.
5. Assist in daily tracking of interactions with young people and items distributed.
6. Provide young adults necessary referrals and information for temporary housing and other community resources (health, benefits, employment, etc.).
B. Community Outreach
1. Maintain and help create strong relationships with health providers, social services providers, and other groups who might provide services or referrals to CORE.
2. Assist in staffing and planning of Zephyr House Programs
3. Attends program, agency and community related meetings for coordination of services, and information/resource gathering.
4. When directed by a supervisor, participate in presentations to community businesses, community members and other community services.
5. Data Entry
C. Navigation (Case Management)
1. Support a caseload of up to 20 participants, all of which are young adults.
2. Conduct initial assessments to determine the level of service and support needed.
3. Develop individual action plans with each participant.
4. Help participants identify support needs as well as individual and community assets relative to their goals.
5. Document all participant contact and progress, including time and date, type of contact, outcome and plan of action.
6. Attend support meetings with participants as needed
7. Maintain compliance with all HIPAA standards.
8. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
A. Education and Experience
1. Experience working with unhoused populations preferred.
2. Individuals with any relevant lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
3. Any combination of experience and education supporting the fulfillment of job responsibilities.
4. Familiarity with principles of strengths-based approach, empowerment model, positive youth development, social justice, trauma informed care, and harm reduction philosophies preferred.
B. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Must have a valid drivers license. Employees and volunteers who operate their own or CORE vehicles on CORE business must have a safe driving record and must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of CORE.
2. Commitment to social justice and racial equity.
3. Highly adaptable sense of humor.
4. Ability to make and sustain relationships with diverse populations.
5. Excellent time management, decision making, organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal skills and out of the box thinking.
6. Committed to personal growth.
7. Capacity to thrive in a rapidly changing space, juggle competing priorities and responsibilities and work calmly in a fast-paced and stressful environment.
8. Possess high-level strategic thinking skills and flexibility while working with young adults.
9. Understanding of youth and young adult development.
10. Comfortable interacting and communicating with youth and young adults in informal settings.
11. Must demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences and a commitment to the value of cultural awareness and humility.
12. Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction principles.
13. Excellent public relations, community organizing, negotiation, mediation, and conflict management skills.
14. Comfortable working in a team environment, while also working independently in a deadline-oriented environment.
15. Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
16. Demonstrated ability to inspire community participation and build coalitions.
17. Computer literacy in word processing, email, internet and spreadsheets.
18. Able to work occasional nights, weekends and holidays.
19. Moves and lifts equipment up to 50 pounds.