Position Description:

Youth Advocates works closely with youth to assist in the completion of academic programs and to improve reading, writing, and math competencies in collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and school officials. This position is responsible for complying with agency program goals and funding requirements to provide direct support to American Indian and Alaska Native students in developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for success in educational achievement. This position is primarily a direct service position (75%), with the balance of time (25%) spent performing general administrative tasks and service coordination.

Essential Functions:

Provide intensive case management services for approximately 20-30 Middle and High school aged Native American youth assigned to case load in coordination with families, including:
Providing outcomes-based student assessment, interventions, activities, academic counseling, academic supports, and service referrals
Performing educational advocacy on behalf of students with local schools and/or educational agencies
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local schools and/or educational agencies in order to facilitate collaboration which address the full range of youth’s needs
Work with family members to better understand and subsequently improve family supports for youth, including:
Performing assessments of family strengths to identify capacity to support students
Developing support agreement with parent/guardian/significant family member to support students
Developing and conducting parent/guardian skill building workshops

Essential Functions, Continued:

Support students in an effort to find success in other programs/services, as well as providing referrals as needed, including:
Ensuring students have access to educational skills and life-skill development programming, as well as any programs or opportunities that the students demonstrate an interest in or need based on assessment
Identifying and recommending other NAYA Family Center programs or community resources as needed and appropriate, such as:
NAYA Learning Center (provide one-on-one and/or small group tutoring, coordinate academic support with other tutors, and serve as a teaching/subject resource for tutors)
Field Trips (organize and coordinate fields trips that intellectually stimulate and encourage youth participation in accordance with agency policy and procedures)
Skill-Based learning opportunities (plan, coordinate, and/or teaches classes/workshops that develop youth skills and knowledge necessary for academic success)
Disbursing student/client assistance funds (such as bus tickets and school supplies) in compliance with funding source and program priorities
Maintain documentation in a timely, thorough and accurate manner in accordance with agency guidelines and as required by funding sources, including:
Creating, organizing, and maintaining hard copy and electronic client files
Gathering basic demographic information including age, educational level, family and/or intimate relationship information, and current living situation

Documenting and recording all client information and interaction
Entering data and reports into comprehensive client database on an ongoing basis
Prepare written correspondence and/or program documents as required

Additional Duties:

Other duties as assigned by Youth Advocacy Manager
Additional Youth Advocate Duties:
Provide transportation of clients as needed using agency vehicles and following agency vehicle reservation and check-out guidelines
Assist with pick-up and drop-off of students between their schools and NAYA Family Center attendance at program activities
Perform community outreach and maintain an updated community resource directory
Prepare program planning activity worksheets in accordance with program guidelines
Prepare required activity reports and participate in program evaluation activities (such as programmatic and fiscal reports)

Additional NAYA Family Center Duties:
Understand and adhere to confidentiality
Coordinate wraparound services effectively with other NAYA Family Center programs and staff
Participate in trainings and/or meetings to ensure program outcomes are achieved
Represent NAYA with the utmost professionalism at community events and other public relations opportunities
Work as an active member of departmental team
Participate actively in cross-departmental team projects
Contribute to fostering a safe and secure environment for community members and staff

Qualifications:

Education & Training:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education or Social Work or similar field required
A combination of equivalent education and experience may be an acceptable substitute
Master’s Degree in Education or Social Work or similar field preferred
Knowledge of Native American history, an understanding of the diversity of the local American Indian/Alaskan Native community and issues surrounding the Urban Indian experience required

Certifications/Credentials:

Certification (or ability to certify) and ability to maintain certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), 1st Aid and Automatic External Defibulator (AED)

Experience:

Experience working within diverse populations (specifically with the urban and reservation Native American population, including working within a tribe, board, or other organization) strongly preferred
Three (3) years of experience in educational support, youth development and/or human services with low income and culturally diverse populations required
Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively manage a case load of at least 20 clients Skills:
Ability to manage and maintain a high-volume caseload of participants efficiently
Ability to stay composed and exercise good judgment in stressful situations, such as dealing with distressed and/or demanding clients
Ability to communicate with and develop positive relationships with youth, including skills such as:
Listening in a non-judgmental way
Using respectful language
Being direct and clear as appropriate
Avoiding power struggles
Honoring client confidentiality
Ability to connect with clients in a manner that successfully motivates them to achieve better outcomes
Ability to develop and maintain professional and trusting relationships
Ability to actively support and work with culturally diverse staff, participants, and community
Ability to be extremely flexible when managing changing priorities and schedules, without compromising quality of outcomes, ability to complete tasks, or uphold commitments
Ability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines or workload demands by applying strong organizational systems and efficiently managing time
Ability to respect and honor cultural and human diversity, including:
Exhibiting an awareness of commonalities and differences (such as gender, race, age, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, disability) among youth of diverse backgrounds and shows respect for those of different talents, abilities, sexual orientation and faith
Building on diversity among and between individuals to strengthen the program community and the community at large
Serving as a role model for the principles of inclusion and tolerance
Understanding and respecting culture of youth/families
Ability to deal with different people and situations appropriately, including effective communication with people from diverse backgrounds

Communication skills, active listening, verbal and written, including public presentation skills
Proficient computer skills including:
Web-based research
Word Processing
MS Excel
Database use
Email

Work Environment: 60% office/classroom, 40% outside office including travel time.

Physical Requirements:

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
The employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equipment Used: Computer, phone, fax, copy machine.

Safety Considerations: Some travel may be required.

Other Requirements:

Valid Oregon or Washington State Driver License (must be eligible to be an insured driver under NAYA Family Center’s liability insurance policy)
Successful completion of a background investigation (including a fingerprint criminal history check)

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit:

A Cover Letter addressing your qualifications for the position and why you are interested in joining the NAYA Family Center team
A current Resume
A completed NAYA Application for Employment Form

Application forms and additional information about employment at NAYA Family Center can be found at

http:www.nayapdx.org/about/jobs.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Attention: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Electronically submitted applications are preferred. Due to the sheer number applicants, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please respect our no phone calls policy. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change by the employer due to changes in grants and funding sources.

Please send application materials to:

Human Resources

Native American Youth and Family Center

5135 NE Columbia Boulevard

Portland, OR 97218

Fax: (503) 288-1260

E-mail: hr@nayapdx.org