Job Overview: The Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist is responsible for delivering youth services under the Elevate Youth program. The Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist will have oversight of the Elevate Youth program, Youth Leadership Council (YLC), and program deliverables. The Youth Leadership Council is a team of eight to twelve Afghan girls ages 14–24 who are contracted through IRC to inform, research, design, and implement program objectives around substance prevention, mental health, and advocacy. The Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist will oversee the YLC activities and ensure youth receive targeted leadership training, substance prevention education, and opportunities to use their voice. Additionally, the Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist will oversee community partnerships and networking to further extend the reach the YLC has in the community. This position will directly oversee the Youth Specialist role and coordination of program activities.

Major Responsibilities:

Outreach and Enrollment

• Work in tandem with school districts and other community-based organizations to highlight youth eligible for YLC.
• Provide thorough and fair assessments and interviews of those interested in serving on the YLC.

Leadership Coaching and Youth Engagement

• Provide oversight of staff case management and leadership trainings for YLC participants including one-on-one youth services counseling; this includes service planning, goal setting, resource mapping, supporting leadership activities, and the provision or supportive services as necessary.
• Develop and lead youth leadership coalition leadership development and advocacy training.
• Recruit skilled volunteers, community organizations, and community leader contacts to train clients through workshops and trainings on topics such as substance education, advocacy, and mental health.
• Reach out and develop contacts with local community-based organizations, schools, and private businesses to strengthen Wellness Workshops and presentations offerings.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Track all grant progress including hours youth served in planning or executing events, ensuring timesheets are accurately completed and all grant outcomes are met or exceeded.

Community Advocacy

• Provide case management and leadership trainings for YLC participants including one-on-one youth services counseling; this includes goal setting, resource mapping, supporting leadership activities, and coaching clients.
• Oversee the YLC members and support them in development, planning, and execution of Community Presentations, Wellness Workshops, and Social Events.
• Lead regular planning meetings with YLC to plan activities alongside YLC members to meet program objectives.
• Conduct listening sessions and empower youth to administer surveys to community members, collecting data on substance abuse and mental wellness education in the community.
• Create content for IRC youth social media accounts and help coordinate with YLC members for content contributions.
• Support youth to provide tailored community presentations annually to reduce stigma and increase awareness around mental health, substance use and prevention.
• Work in tandem with school districts and other community-based organizations to create opportunities for the YLC to share and recruit additional youth to participate in activities.
• Work with YLC to update presentations, ensuring that content is consistently revised to meet the needs of the target population.
• Lead YLC leadership development and activism training retreat.
• Support planning and execution of youth events throughout the year open to all community youth. Support YLC in recruitment of youth attendees and marketing of the events.
• Alongside YLC support development of curriculum for Wellness Workshops and community presentations. Create relationships with community organizations to host workshops/presentations.
• Engage youth on the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) in all aspects of community advocacy including in-person and digital outreach events, presentation preparation, and outreach to policymakers.
• Support in planning, execution, and leadership of bi-monthly YLC meetings including development of lessons, curriculum, and teambuilding.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Track all grant progress as well as YLC efforts and hours to ensure outcomes are met.
• Track and approve accurate timesheets for YLC members ensuring accurate spend down of funds and ensuring all work documents and appropriate signatures are collected.
• Organize and execute the annual Youth Advocacy Showcase community event showcasing youth’s prevention work and advocating to policy makers.
• At least once a week, during the school year, support the Refugees Empowering Peers after-school program led by IRC’s In-School Youth Team at high school sites throughout the Sacramento Region. Mentor students and support creating connections with students and schools throughout the community.
• Connect with schools on potential opportunities for YLC to present and support their student body

Program Oversight

• Complete quarterly reports to the funder.
• Responsible for monthly YLC payment processes, completion, and proper documentation.
• Ensure annual planning for YLC bi-monthly meetings to provide overall education and tools youth need to engage in advocacy.
• Organize and oversee Elevate staff team meetings to ensure staff communication and collaboration on program objectives are met or exceeded.

Community Networking and Advocacy

• Create community partnerships related to substance prevention, advocacy, mental health, and legislation.
• Develop opportunities for youth exposure to advocacy initiatives and opportunities for youth to use their voices.
• Create opportunities to amplify youth voices and messaging in the community.

Other

• Complete administrative responsibilities including tracking time and effort, annual development of professional goals, and the 90 day onboarding plan.
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the team.
• Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Youth and Education Program Manager

Position directly supervises: Youth Specialist
Internal and/or external contacts: Coordinates regularly with Sacramento Youth team and local partners

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience required; Master’s degree a plus

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years’ experience with youth counseling, case management, or coaching strongly preferred.
• 1-3 years’ experience working in or managing grant funded programs.
• 1-3 years’ experience in substance prevention or advocacy.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Multi-cultural experience and demonstrated ability to communicate well with youth of varied backgrounds required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation creation
• Proven ability to take initiative, creatively problem solve and lead with versatility in a fast-paced work environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required
• Experience using data and fiscal tracking systems strongly preferred
• Flexible availability necessary

Language Skills:

• Proficiency in a refugee language such as Dari, Farsi, Pashto, or Arabic, an asset

Working Environment***:*** Standard office environment including regular travel to employer sites.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $26 - $27) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.