Youth and Family Development Associate - CHOICE Program

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Youth and Family Development Associate, under the supervision of the Program Coordinator & Program Director, is responsible for Engaging and guiding the Youth Prevention and Intervention youth and the Community. Services will be in keeping with agency goals, objectives, mission, and style and provided within a team framework.

DUTIES:

• Serve as a positive role model for youth in the juvenile justice system and their families.
• Build rapport with youth, creating a trusting and supporting relationship that encourages their active participation in their activities.
• Participate in client intake and assessment interviews.
• Assist in providing comprehensive family-based assessments for identified youth on an ongoing basis.
• Develop and maintain helping relationships with parents or guardians emphasizing client accountability.
• Provide client advocacy in areas of health, education, vocation, and family intervention.
• Create and lead recreational activities for clients.
• Maintain case records and client files as required by and its funding sources.
• Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings with other team members.
• Work closely with probation department and other public and private organizations and individuals, as necessary to effectively serve clients. (e.g. progress reports to referral sources, client referrals to other agencies)
• Monthly statistical reports of services provided as required by company.
• Outreach to target population in order to effectively reach those in need of services.
• Transport clients in personal car (mileage reimbursement) in a safe and secure manner in matters related to service delivery.
• Participate in agency special events, such as fundraisers, annual meetings, and open houses.
• Provide crisis intervention services and referrals to telephone and walk in persons.
• Participate and assist in implementing program components.
• Participate in all required meetings and training.
• Other duties as assigned by the Department Director, Program Director and/or Program Coordinator.

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work, or closely related field, required.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in child, youth and family services field, preferred. Experience should preferably have been in a community based or neighborhood service organization.
• Experience in the areas of individual, group, and family counseling, school-based services, outreach, community education, organizing/facilitating group outings and development, advocacy and case management.
• Ability to work with a diverse population, possess cultural sensitivity, and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Must be available to work some evenings and partial weekends, as needed. Schedule is either Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday.

Condition of Employment

• Employment may be conditioned upon satisfactory completion of certain background clearances which may include a Department of Justice criminal background check requiring my fingerprints (Live Scan), screening through the National Sex Offender Public Website, drug test, tuberculosis (TB) test, and such additional clearances as may be required under the program.
• Candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo testing for controlled substances, (including THC and CBD), in accordance with the County of San Diego's drug and alcohol policy and the federal Controlled Substances Act.
• Candidate is required to have reliable transportation; therefore, the candidate must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check. Candidate must also possess and maintain a current valid California drivers license and valid auto insurance policy. (65% of the time.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Stand: Remaining on ones feet in an upright position.
• Walking: Moving about on foot.
• Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) 25-50 lbs.
• Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder
• Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force.
• Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking)
• Climbing: Ascending or descending stairs, using feet and legs or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand.
• Finger Movement: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is important for those activities in which workers must impart oral information to clients or to the public, and in those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.