Promotor/Youth Advocate
Latin American Youth Center
Latin American Youth Center/Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (LAYC/MMYC) Promotores are a combination of youth development workers, mentors, and intensive case managers who work intentionally and deliberately to build transforming relationships with disconnected youth. The Promotor is responsible for providing services and referrals, support and follow-up over an extended period of time to youth between the ages of 14-24 facing high risk factors. The Promotor will provide mentoring, skill development, guidance, and advocacy so that each youth achieves the goals of increased academic success, transition to work, and improvement in healthy behaviors.
JOIN US AND SUPPORT YOUTH TO LIVE, WORK, AND STUDY WITH DIGNITY, HOPE, AND JOY!
Latin American Youth Center’s (LAYC) mission is to empower youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through comprehensive and innovative programs that address youths’ social, academic, and career needs. To achieve this mission, LAYC provides services and opportunities to approximately 4,000 individuals annually to support academic achievement, promote healthy behavior, and guide youth towards successful adulthood.
We believe in a future where all youth pursue their dreams, reach their goals and acquire the skills and self-confidence to live a life of purpose, connection, contribution and joy.
COMPETITIVE BENEFITS
In addition to a friendly work environment, we are pleased to offer the following benefits to our employees.
- Medical, dental, and vision plans with prescription coverage.
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Voluntary long-term disability and supplemental life insurance
- Matching 401(k) program beginning at hire
- 3 weeks paid vacation leave per year; PTO is accrued, increasing to 4 weeks with tenure.
- 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days paid sick leave per year and 4 wellness days. Sick and wellness days are prorated during your first year based on your start date, then available in full in subsequent years.
- Eight weeks paid parental leave, including adoption and foster care.
- Health club discounts
- One to two days per week of telework for most positions (eligible after first 60 days).
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides youth with varying needs ongoing, long-term intensive case management services, including referrals and assistance linking youth to other service providers.
- Works with and develops strong, healthy relationships with youth, family members, and others involved in the youth’s life.
- Provides crisis intervention and remains available for emergencies.
- Monitors youth’s progress and maintains frequent communication with youth through face-to-face contacts, home visits, phone calls, text messages, and any other means of communication to ensure that individual goals are being addressed and met.
- Works with community agencies, school leaders and staff, and LAYC/MMYC program staff to develop and foster an effective coordination of services for youth.
- Participates in community events to represent the Promotor Pathway and engage with youth and families.
- Tracks outcomes and enters case notes regularly in LAYC’s database system, Efforts-to Outcome (ETO).
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; significant experience working with underserved youth will be considered.
- Minimum 4 years of youth development experience; school-based experience is a plus.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Knowledge of community and local resources.
- Experience managing crisis situations.
- Ability and desire to maintain a flexible schedule (school/community events, late nights, and weekends).
- Knowledge of case management, monitoring and reporting.
- Bilingual or fluent/proficient: English and Spanish required.
- Proficient computer skills, experience with ETO or other data collection system a plus.
- Complete criminal and child abuse/neglect clearances.
- Flexible, energetic, positive individual with commitment to youth development in a high quality, respectful environment.
- Ability to work well and communicate with culturally diverse populations.
- LAYC/MMYC requires the COVID-19 vaccine of all its employees. You will be asked to provide proof of vaccination at the time of your interview and at your onboarding.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 10 lbs. May require the ability to travel locally and/or regionally.
LAYC/MMYC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing opportunities without regard to age, race, color, pregnancy, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or status within any other protected group.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume.