Peer Advocate Position Available In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Peer Advocate Defender Association of Philadelphia – 3.9 Philadelphia, PA Job Details Full-time $43,000 a year 23 hours ago Benefits 403(b) matching Paid parental leave Paid time off Parental leave 403(b) Loan forgiveness Qualifications Some college Spanish Management High school diploma or GED Leadership 2 years Communication skills Entry level Child welfare Full Job Description Looking to make a difference! Become a Defender! The Defender Association of Philadelphia seeks a Peer Advocate in our Child Advocacy Unit (CAU). The CAU’s collaborative team of attorneys and social workers provide high quality, client centered legal representation to dependent clients who range in age from birth to 21 years, advocate in court for the delivery of effective community based services for our clients and their families, and develop an appropriate permanency plan for every child and youth. The Peer Advocate will join this holistic team to support older youth in this process. The mission of the Peer Advocate in the CAU is threefold; (1) to ensure clients have access to essential resources and services to prepare for life after foster care, (2) work in a team with Attorneys and CAU Social Service Staff to develop individual plans for older youth, specifically older youth transitioning out of the dependency system; and (3) strengthen individuals, and the communities we serve by promoting self-sufficiency, self-determination, and community engagement. The ideal candidate for the peer advocate role is a former foster youth who has transitioned out of the dependency system at least two to three years ago. The Peer Advocate will work with older youth clients both inside and outside of the courtroom and within the community. They will use a multidisciplinary approach with the CAU Attorney / Social Service Staff teammates to collaborate with DHS/CUA, AIC, and other community agencies working with transitioning youth. This position serves as an active partner in the Defender Association’s efforts to provide high quality, client centered legal representation for our older youth population who range in age 14- 21 years, advocate outside of court for the delivery of effective community based services and resources for older youth clients, and develop an appropriate aging out plan. What You’ll Do Be a part of a collaborative team of attorneys and social workers to work on addressing youth’s needs Will meet with and form collaborative and supportive relationships with older youth in the dependency care system inside and outside the courtroom and in community Manage a caseload of 15-20 older youth or youth in transition 60 dependent children Maintain well documented and dated files on all clients Identify resources for clients Connect and support clients with services and resources Attend weekly supervision meetings, team meeting as needed and unit trainings What You’ll Need High School Diploma or GED preferred In college or some college, a plus Former experience as a youth in foster care and transitioning out of the dependency system at least two years ago Over 21 years old Demonstrates qualities in leadership Must be able to work with a diverse population Team oriented and possess strong interpersonal skills Willingness to complete identified training Must be willing to complete child abuse clearance and background checks Ability to effectively communicate with CAU management, staff, and youth Ability to speak Spanish, preferred Competent written and verbal communication skills Benefits & Perks Generous and rich benefits plan with many employer paid benefits Substantial paid time off- over 35 PTO days plus all federal holidays off We are PSLF Loan Forgiveness eligible employer Six weeks of paid parental leave 403(b) Employer Match Meaningful & Impactful Work Ongoing Training and Development of You How to

Apply:

Please submit an online application. Please include a resume and cover letter describing your related experience and interest in the role. Who is the Defender Association? The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Come join our team! For more information, go Defender’s website and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn. The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.