COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL, INC. 

Job Title:                    Youth Advocate (I/II/III)

Department:               Youth Education

Reports To:                Program Coordinator/Program Manager

Supervises:               None

FLSA Status:             Non-Exempt

Pay Grade:                N4 (I), N5 (II), N6 (III)

Job Type:                  Regular, Full-Time

AKBCU: No                ICPA: Yes

 

General Functions:

The Youth Advocate position supports the Youth Education (YE) Department programs and works under the assigned Program Coordinator/Manager. This position supports Alaska Native students and families by connecting them to educational resources, advocating for their needs, and fostering strong relationships with schools. Responsibilities include tracking student progress, assisting with post-secondary planning, coordinating school activities, and providing mentorship on culturally responsive practices. Youth Advocates also facilitate communication between families and educators, support culturally relevant programs, and contribute to program development and reporting. This role ensures students receive the necessary support for academic success and personal growth.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Youth Advocate, I

• Represent CITC to partners in the community by serving as a point-of-contact regarding participant engagement.
• Provide leadership to participants by making referrals to educational resources, establishing rapport with in-school staff and other educational agencies, CITC programs, and social services within the Alaska Native community.
• Participates in mentorship and training on culturally responsive and trauma informed practices as needed.
• Assisting with school-based activities, acting as classroom support, and supporting other school-based duties as needed.
• Educate students and their families on academic expectations, career opportunities, and post-secondary planning, while emphasizing the importance of family involvement in the student's education.
• Offer resources and conduct workshops as needed to foster a supportive learning environment.
• Participate and support in the preparation of culturally based extended day and school break camp activities.
• Ease the transition from a rural to urban school system and district wide transfers by providing school linkages, advocating on the youth and family's behalf, and facilitating parental involvement opportunities.
• Reinforce 'parents-as-advocates' by respecting parents' values, learning about the family, and providing relevant resources, school information, and community updates to keep families informed.
• Track the progress of each student's educational support plan, regularly assessing achievements and identifying barriers. Provide timely follow-ups with students and parents to review accomplishments and discuss any necessary adjustments.
• Transport students, as needed, to class sites, on field trips, cultural camps, or other locations within the State of Alaska.
• Collect and enter data and information on participants and programming.
• Participate in collaborative meetings with other Youth Advocates within CITC, to develop and share best practices for supporting our youth.
• Participate in collaborative meetings with other Youth Advocate in and outside of the Youth Education department to continually develop and share best practices for supporting youth. Maintain operations by following CITC and ASD policies and procedures.
• Participate in quality reviews.
• Maintain confidentiality according to regulations, procedures, and FERPA.
• Other duties as needed and assigned.

Youth Advocate, II

• Perform all duties/responsibilities of a Youth Advocate I with a higher level of proficiency and responsibility.
• Develop, compile, and update community resource guides and materials.
• Lead, participate and support in the preparation of culturally based extended day and camp activities.
• Supports mentorship and training on culturally responsive and trauma informed practices as needed.
• Assist with the development of outreach materials and events, such as social media posts, fliers, parent/family nights, teen nights, etc.
• Compile and distribute activity calendars for youth and families.

Youth Advocate, III

• Perform all duties and responsibilities of a Youth Advocate I and II with an advanced level of proficiency.
• Lead collaborative meetings with other Youth Advocate in and outside of the Youth Education department to continually develop and share best practices for supporting youth.
• Acts as a resource, mentor, and trainer for all Youth Advocates in the department.
• Orient new staff to the department, YE systems, and processes.
• Provide mentorship and training to staff on culturally responsive and trauma informed practices as needed.
• Make meaningful improvements to services, programs and processes, and organizational effectiveness that creates new value for participants and employees.

Job Specifications:

• Demonstrated ability to utilize a variety of communication styles to maintain contact with families/students.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community services, CITC services, ASD services, and a referral agent.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with families/students and advocate for their needs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while maintaining efficiency and accuracy.
• Exceptional time management, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions that reflect CITC's Mission and Values.
• Demonstrated familiarity with educational and social services resources.
• Demonstrated ability to compile and summarize data in spreadsheet, database and word processing formats.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native/American Indian educational issues, and unique and specialized needs.

Minimum Core Competencies:

CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Continued employment status will be contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory state and federal criminal background check.
• Knowledge of the Anchorage School District policies and practices.
• Valid Alaska driver's license and insurable under CITC's automotive insurance, which requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age and have had a driver's license for at least three years.

Youth Advocate, I

• Associate's degree in counseling, Education, or a related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis (2 years).
• One (1) year experience working with Alaska Native families and knowledge of their values and belief systems.

Youth Advocate, II

• Associate's degree in counseling, Education, or a related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis (4 years).
• Three (3) years' experience working with Alaska Native families, and knowledge of their values and belief systems.

Youth Advocate, III

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, Education, or a related field.
• Five (5) years' experience working with Alaska Native families, and knowledge of their values and belief systems.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and consistently working on a computer with repetitive motion.
• The need to occasionally move around the office to access filing cabinets, storage cabinets, and office equipment may be necessary.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner.

 

Disclaimer
The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.