Youth Advocate

Company Overview

The Child Center of NY strengthens children and families with skills, opportunities, and emotional support to build healthy, successful lives. Founded in 1953, The Child Center of NY has become a powerful community presence throughout the city. With 50 locations and 100 programs in NYC’s most under-served communities, our 1,000+ results-oriented professionals make a difference for more than 40,000 children and their families each year.

The Child Center Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) is a coeducational program in a warm, supportive environment that serves young people ages 12-18 who have had multiple psychiatric hospital placements or have been involved with the juvenile justice system. It is the only downstate RTF in the state that is a dual NYS Office of Mental Health/Office of Children and Family Services facility. We never consider it too late to give young people the help they need, and we are pleased to partner with these two agencies to ensure the young people in our care have the skills and support they need to achieve long-term success. Reflecting The Child Center’s dedication to comprehensive care, the RTF is staffed by clinical coordinators, psychiatric providers, a pediatrician, and 24-hour nursing staff, 24 hour youth advocates. Supports are individualized and tailored to the needs of the young people.

Position Summary
The Youth Advocate is responsible for the ongoing care and supervision of the residents in all phases of their lives in the facility.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for help the adolescents learn and master the basic activities of daily living
• Support Clients with social interaction, educational and vocational advancement, developing interpersonal relationships with peers and adults.
• Encourage and promote an emotional supporting environment for clients.  
• Mediate verbal disputes, be a role model for adolescents in a positive behavioral environment on how to behave with each other in a respectful, socially acceptable way.
• Facilitate and assisted therapist in group or other special treatment
• Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school or GED
• Must be over 21 years of age 
• Enrolled in an Associate of Arts or A Bachelor of Arts degree (Preferred)
• Prior experience working with Children ages of 12-18 with Trauma, Mental Health or Psych is a plus
• Strong communication and organization skills.
• Role requires a high level of patience and ability to remain calm during stressful situations, training is provided

What We Offer

• Generous Paid Time Off 
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance 
• 401k Pension and Employer Contribution 
• Flexible Spending and Commuter Benefits Accounts
• Employer paid short-term & long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance 
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

The Child Center of NY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status or any other category protected by Federal, State or local law. EOE M/F/D/V