Youth Empowerment Counselor Position Available In Nassau, New York

Youth Empowerment Counselor STRONG Youth, Inc. Uniondale, NY 11553

Organizational Overview:

S.T.R.O.N.G.

Youth, Inc. is a grassroots, community-focused nonprofit dedicated to youth, family, and community development, specializing in youth, gang, and gun violence prevention and intervention. Our mission is to increase safety and foster a sense of community belonging among youth and families across Long Island. We achieve this by providing alternatives to high-risk behaviors for our youth and empowering families, residents, and stakeholders to advocate for socially responsible initiatives in their communities. Founded in 2000 in response to the tragic murder of a Uniondale youth, S.T.R.O.N.G. was the first youth-driven, multi-ethnic organization on Long Island tackling youth violence. While we have made significant strides in the past 24 years, expanding our programs and reach, our commitment to a grassroots approach remains at the core of our work. Today, S.T.R.O.N.G. is a small but dynamic nonprofit serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We are offering candidates a unique opportunity to bring their significant experience and expertise to a pivotal role within our growing organization. This is an exciting prospect for individuals who thrive in a small, close-knit team environment and are passionate about contributing to our mission while helping elevate our organization to the next level. Program Description The STRONG University (violence intervention) program targets juveniles at high risk of or already involved in the criminal justice system, providing them with the education, skills, and support necessary to complete legal requirements and make sustainable life changes to reduce the risk of re-incarceration. Our comprehensive program includes services for both youth and their families, including case management services, workplace preparedness, career exploration and psychoeducational groups, criminal justice and educational advocacy and referrals for substance abuse treatment as needed. We also offer mentoring and civic engagement experiences and activities designed to inspire a commitment to positive change. Position Description Highly motivated, independent and creative Counselor wanted to work with youth of promise in community setting. A Youth Empowerment Counselor is an individual with lived experience, typically related to personal exposure to systemic inequities, neighborhood violence, poverty, or community disinvestment, who acts as a mentor and advocate for youth of promise. They help youth transform their attitudes and behaviors by providing guidance, support, and connections, conveying a message of rejecting the use of violence, and healing through culturally and community-rooted practices. Essentially, using their personal story to build trust and positively influence others facing similar challenges. The Counselor mentors a caseload of participants who are at high risk for being a victim or perpetrator of a crime and/or violence in their community. Counselors see each participants multiple times per week, utilizing the expertise of their team’s members such as case manager and/or social worker to obtain needed services such as mental health counseling, job training and drug abuse counseling. All staff is expected to represent

S.T.R.O.N.G.

Youth, Inc. in a professional manner, act in a manner consistent with the mission and values of

S.T.R.O.N.G.

Youth, Inc. and help realize the organization’s mission.

Essential Functions:

Individual Engagement Manage a case load youth in our intervention program as assigned ensuring that each case is moving along the process of change Engage youth and build relationships that motivate towards change through consistent outreach, including home visits, telephone calls, school visits, and “hangouts”. Develop and participate in civic engagement, community service, and group mentoring experiences/activities that increase exposure to positive activities and new environments to motivate change in behavior and thinking. Offer one-on-one counseling sessions focused on life skills development, goal setting, and positive decision making. Facilitate group sessions focused on the detrimental consequences of violence and gang affiliation/involvement, and strategies on how to avoid involvement in negative behaviors and thinking. Work as a member of an intervention team – work together to ensure that acts of violence are reduced by engaging in restorative practices in the de-escalation and resolution of conflict. Collaborate with case managers to develop individualized plans for each youth, tracking their progress, and connecting them with appropriate services. Community Response and Engagement Engage with families, schools, and other community organizations to identify youth in need, and build relationships with those youth. Get to know the high-risk persons in the community, and the people who know them to prevent acts of violence and potential retaliatory acts of violence. Respond to acts of violence in the community, and formulate action plans to interrupt the cycle of violence through the use of restorative practices in the de-escalation and resolution of conflict. Investigate causes of shootings/killings to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups (working with the community, outreach programs and local law enforcement to gain information that may be helpful in preventing additional injuries) and provide documentation. Lead the Intervention team in designing and implementing community-awareness projects on violence prevention and intervention. Administration Maintain detailed records for every interaction with and about the youth and ensure that each chart is in reasonable order at all times. Maintain regular communication with additional agencies involved in the treatment of each youth. Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges facing youth and exhibits an empathetic attitude considering a variety of underlying issues such as systemic racism and failure, low socioeconomic status, presence of gangs in the neighborhood, availability of drugs and firearms in the neighborhood, community safety, and family stressors.

Important Applicant Criterion:

Applicants with lived experiences that reflect an understanding of the challenges faced by youth in marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. This may include personal exposure to systemic inequities, neighborhood violence, poverty, or community disinvestment. Candidates should be able to relate to justice-involved and gang-involved youth with empathy, credibility, and cultural awareness.

Education/Experience:

High School Diploma or GED required. Experience working with gang and justice involved or impacted youth and/or adults is required A minimum of 3 years of working with justice involved youth providing mentoring and counseling services. Case management or violence interruption experience is strongly preferred.

Skills:

Passion for supporting youth in making positive life choices and reducing recidivism rates. Ability to build rapport with youth, listen actively, and effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders. Ability to stay calm in response to emergencies and work in stressful situations. Strong mediation/de-escalation skills. Knowledge of urban youth issues, specifically youth violence and juvenile justice, and understanding of local resources, challenges, and social service networks. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team Ability to work well with diverse populations and have awareness of cultural differences and the ability to adapt approach based on individual needs. Proactive, and demonstrates initiative, flexibility, and willingness to try new approaches Punctual and extremely reliable Organized, forward thinking and detail oriented. Ability to present self and program in a professional manner Flexibility to work evenings & weekends Be computer literate

Other Requirements:

Flexible work schedule. Mixed late day, evening, and weekend hours may be required to accommodate family availability and community events/activities. Individuals who are hired for this position will be required to maintain a valid New York Driver’s License, valid insurance and DMV clearance throughout your time of employment. The ability to travel is required. Working Conditions Travel within the community to meet with families, attend meetings, and access resources is required. Flexibility is needed to accommodate youth availability. Mainly late afternoon into evening hours. Weekends as needed.

Disclaimer:

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This position may be required to perform other duties. If such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job, a new description will be prepared. Equal Opportunity Employer STRONG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate because of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to attracting, retaining and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Women-led organization Inclusive of minority and disadvantaged groups

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

$22.00 – $26.00 per hour Expected hours: 18 – 24 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Paid time off Retirement plan

Schedule:

Day shift Evening shift Monday to Friday Nights as needed Rotating weekends People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

mentoring: 3 years (Required) youth counseling: 3 years (Preferred)

Language:

Spanish (Preferred) Shift availability: Night Shift (Required) Day Shift (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Uniondale, NY 11553 (Required)

Work Location:

In person