Promotes and elevates youth voice and engagement within child welfare and youth-serving programs. Serves as a liaison between youth and program leadership by facilitating youth advisory boards, conducting focus groups, participating in administrative reviews, and providing feedback to improve services and outcomes for youth. Assists youth in identifying resources, developing life skills, and ensuring their perspectives are represented in program development and evaluation.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Provides safe and effective services
Adheres to policies related to safety and boundaries with service recipients.
Attends safety and abuse risk management training as assigned.
Adheres to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising service recipients.
Reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
Adheres to policies and procedures related to Medication Administration for service recipients.
Serves as a peer mentor
Participates in up to 15 Administrative Reviews per month, or as many as assigned.
Takes detailed notes during reviews and submit documentation to the Administrative Review Coordinator.
Provides constructive input and feedback during reviews when appropriate.
Offers information, referrals, and resources to youth as needed.
Follows up with youth regarding identified needs and available support services.
Recruits youth participants for regional Youth Advisory Boards.
Plans, coordinates, and facilitates Youth Advisory Board meetings and activities.
Develops leadership opportunities and training initiatives designed to strengthen youth engagement and advocacy.
Encourages meaningful youth participation in program development and decision-making processes.
Collaborates with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to discuss regional concerns, recommendations, and progress.
Shares youth feedback and recommendations with leadership and stakeholders.
Assists in advancing statewide youth engagement initiatives.
Coordinates and facilitates quarterly regional Youth Focus Groups.
Gathers and documents feedback from participating youth.
Prepares written summaries and reports of focus group findings.
Communicates trends, concerns, and recommendations to program leadership.
Assists with the facilitation of life skills training for youth ages 14-17 in foster care and youth ages 18-21 who are not enrolled in Extended Foster Care (EFC).
Supports youth in developing skills related to independent living, self-advocacy, education, employment, and community engagement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of youth development principles and practices.
Knowledge of child welfare systems and services.
Knowledge of community resources available to youth and young adults.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Presentation and group facilitation skills.
Active listening and conflict resolution skills.
Organizational and time management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to effectively engage and build trust with youth from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to facilitate discussions and encourage youth participation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to assess youth needs and connect them with appropriate resources.
Ability to represent youth perspectives in a professional and constructive manner.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum 21 years of age required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in youth advocacy, mentoring, peer support, child welfare, foster care, or related human services work preferred.
Experience facilitating groups, trainings, or youth engagement activities preferred.
Other Duties: This job description incorporates the essential functions and duties required for this position. However, other duties may be required and assigned at times and as determined by a supervisor in order to meet the needs of the organization.
Serves as a role model in carrying out activities and behaviors that reflect the values and principles of the Boys Town mission.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, EQUIPMENT USAGE, WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient, agility, and endurance to perform all job requirements (including stressful situations physically, mentally, and emotionally) encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, youth, or families. Must have sufficient ability to see, hear, speak, and mobility to monitor youth, assist and perform daily household chores, and participate in activities with youth. Subject to outside environmental conditions occasionally and inside conditions frequently. Includes constant interruptions, inappropriate behaviors, and the potential for verbal and physical threats from youth.
Care and respect for others is more than a commitment at Boys Town – it is the foundation of who we are and what we do.
At Boys Town, we cultivate a culture of belonging for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better business results.
About Boys Town:
Boys Town has been changing the way America cares for children and families since 1917. With over a century of service, our employees have helped us grow from a small boardinghouse in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, into one of the largest national child and family care organizations in the country. With the addition of Boys Town National Research Hospital in 1977, our services branched out into the health care and research fields, offering even more career opportunities to those looking to make a real difference.
Our employees are our #1 supporters when it comes to achieving Boys Town's mission, which is why we are proud of their commitment to making the world a better place for children, families, patients, and communities. A unique feature for employees and their dependents enrolled in medical benefits are reduced to no cost visits for services performed by a Boys Town provider at a Boys Town location. Additional costs savings for the employee and their dependents are found in our pharmacy benefits with low to zero-dollar co-pays on certain maintenance drugs. Boys Town takes your mental health seriously with no cost mental health visits to an in-network provider. We help our employees prepare for retirement with a generous match on their 401K or 401K Roth account. Additional benefits include tuition reimbursement, parenting resources from our experts and professional development opportunities within the organization, just to name a few. Working at Boys Town is more than just a job, it is a way of life.
This advertisement describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. Boys Town is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. To request a disability-related accommodation in the application process, contact us at 1-877-639-6003.
