RFK Community Alliance has an exciting opportunity for a full-time
Youth Advocate to join our team in Hampden County, Massachusetts!
Our Detention Diversion Advocacy Program (DDAP) is a voluntary intervention alternative to court-ordered detention, providing young people with community-based support and supervision. DDAP strives to reduce the disproportionate number of minority youth arraigned through the court system, offering an opportunity to reverse their path to juvenile crime and helping them live to their fullest potential. We presently have programs in the Dorchester, Chelsea, Springfield and Holyoke juvenile courts.
Who We Seek
We are seeking a dynamic individual to be part of our team providing youth support and advocacy in the Hampden County communities. This person would serve as an advocate for court involved youth, specific to the Juvenile Court. They are responsible for guiding youth through intake, assessment, development and implementation of an individual service plan, referrals to appropriate services and will advocate for their assigned youth. RFK Community Alliance Hampden County Region programs provide a broad range of educational, residential and community based programming to youth marginalized by disability, trauma, and child welfare or juvenile justice system involvement. This Youth Advocate will provide one-to-one support to adolescent youth who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System. The goal is to ensure each youth's growth in the three domains of well-being: Connected, Capable, and Healthy. If you are a person with a commitment to human potential and social justice, then this is the job for you!
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Provide one-to-one support and advocacy to adolescent youth. Contacts may occur wherever the youth lives (including in group care, foster home, family setting, and/or in the community).
- Facilitate monthly group activities or individual activities
- Provide written documentation and support the Agency's program quality assurance processes
- Work collaboratively with other collateral team members in developing an appropriate supports for each assigned youth
- Assist youth in developing individualized goals and tracking progress on said goals
- Utilize risk assessment tool for each youth to determine risk
- Implement Trauma Informed Care treatment philosophies of the agency
- Work collaboratively with collateral teams to enhance each youth's safety when necessary
- Oversee timely coordination of services for assigned youth in accordance with agency policy
- Provide monitoring, crisis support, linkage to other programs, and overall problem-solving assistance and advocacy on behalf of the youth served by the program
- Organize regular case conferencing meetings with all invested parties in the best interest of the youth, establishing an effective service network
- Maintain database including case management system, intake, assessment, and referral systems
- Comply with treatment directives of the clinical consultant and identify other resources when necessary to address areas of need
- Participate in ongoing training as it relates to general duties and professional development
Shift
Fulltime, flexible work schedule. Some nights and weekends, as needed
Who You Are
You are someone with a personal interest in, and commitment to, working with adolescent youth. You have a positive attitude and belief in the hope of successful outcomes for youth otherwise marginalized by disability, trauma, socio-economic status, or race. You also have:
- Ability to work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Organizational skills and time management skills
- Understanding of the needs of transition aged youth
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with youth, families, staff, and collaterals
Specific Qualifications:
- Two years of experience working with at-risk youth or three years of equivalent relevant experience
- Experience working with high risk and court involved, preferred
- Bachelor's Degree in social work, counseling or related field, preferred
- Must be 21 years of age
- Must have valid driver's license and personal vehicle
- Bilingual in English / Spanish preferred
How We Promote Equity, Cultivate Leaders, and Grow Together
At RFK Community Alliance, we're dedicated to a culture where everyone can show up to work as their full authentic selves. Diversity and inclusion doesn't happen by accident, it's by design. Together we are the designers. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes our organization stronger. We care about including diverse perspectives and experiences throughout every level. Which is why we're committed to honoring, celebrating, and fostering diversity and inclusion on our team, in our clientele and within our community. Our team must reflect our community and vice versa. We value, respect, and support all types of diversity across all identities including, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, LGBTQIA, age religion and abilities. We take responsibility for the community we're creating here at RFK Community Alliance, and we're here to contribute to the progression of our society to a more inclusive and equitable one.
Why You'll Love Us
In addition to being a part of a supportive team, we offer amazing employee benefits, including:
*Health Insurance
*Dental Insurance
*Vision Insurance
*Generous paid time off
*Holiday Pay
*Educational Assistance
*Employer paid life insurance
*Employer paid Short- & Long-Term Disability
*Retirement Plan with generous employer match
*Tuition Reimbursement
*Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program
$2,500 Sign-On Incentive!
This position is eligible for the RFK Community Alliance Sign-On Incentive in the amount of $2,500 in your first year of employment. You will receive $500 after 3 months; $500 after 6 months; $1,500 after 12 months.
To apply for this position please click on
Youth Advocate. RFKCA offers a compassionate, inclusive company culture and excellent work environment. RFKCA is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability. EOE/AA
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RFK Community Alliance
dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, retirement plan
Aug 22, 2025