Position: Lead Child-Advocate

Accountability: Shelter Manager

Hours: Position will average 40 hours per week, primarily hours will be Monday through Friday, day time hours with some evenings or weekends as needed. Hours may include variable weekends and holidays.

Summary/Objective

The Lead Child-Advocate promotes the mission and models the values of Anna Marie’s Alliance by providing high quality programming and support for children residing in the shelter. This position will provide child care, partner with parents and create and deliver youth programs to support the social-emotional development of children in the shelter. The Lead Child-Youth Advocate will oversee the onsite childcare space and ensure compliance for maintaining family daycare licensure. The person in this position must have the ability to maintain a calm disposition and must be able to show compassion through difficult situations. This person must be comfortable working with diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.

Anna Marie’s Alliance strives to be a strength-based organization committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental, and supporting community by building on trust, empowerment and collaboration.

Responsibilities

· Ensure compliance with rules and processes for maintaining Minnesota State Statutes governing family daycare (Mn Rules Parts 9502.0300 to 9502.0445).

· Conduct intakes with parents to welcome and acclimate families to the children’s program.

· Partner with District 742 McKinney Vento to support timely school enrollment.

· Provide a nurturing environment by ensuring children’s needs are met.

· Develop a calendar of enriching, age-appropriate activities and curriculum for children and families in the shelter.

· Consult and work collaboratively with children/youth serving professionals who provides services in the shelter (Early Childhood Family Education, Mental Health provider, Prevention and Education, etc.)

· Network with other youth-serving agencies and shelters to exchange information for program enhancement.

· Identify and implement initiatives that continually improve services and service delivery.

· Meet with children one-on-one and in groups to facilitate relationship and support social-emotional skill development.

· Provide transportation using company vehicles for families as needed.

· Participate in staff trainings to gain knowledge about domestic violence, trauma, and attachment, and their significance when working with children.

· Ensure accurate data collection and reporting.

· Mentor new children’s program staff, shelter advocates, interns and volunteers.

· Communicate with Shelter Manager regarding any concerns, questions, or referrals for families.

· Participate in weekly team meetings, monthly shelter meetings, quarterly All Staff meetings and additional meetings and trainings, as requested.

· Arrive to work promptly for each scheduled shift.

· Follow Anna Marie’s Alliance policies and procedures.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

· Flexibility - adjust priorities to meet changing needs of families

· Honor diversity and demonstrates the ability to relate well to individuals with various cultures, ages, abilities and trauma histories/responses

· Team player - build and maintain a positive attitude; create a welcoming environment alongside other staff members, interns, residents, vendors, and visitors

· Work effectively with diverse families whose abilities, motivations, and backgrounds vary widely

· Possess a high level of emotional intelligence, resilience, caring, and personal responsibility

· Can build supportive working relationships while holding clear healthy, ethical boundaries

Required Education/Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social services, education, or related field or 4 years equivalent, relevant work experience.

· While not a requirement, bilingual competency in Spanish (preferred)

In addition to one of the above qualifications:

· Ability to pass a required background check.

· Valid Minnesota Driver’s License

· Ability to complete all trainings required by Department of Human Services (SUIDS/AHT/CARS etc.)

Leadership

· Listen to the opinions of others and work collaboratively.

· Accept and provide feedback.

· Display passion and optimism for the job.

Knowledge

· Utilize Trauma-Informed, Person-Centered, Client-Driven approach when working with victim-survivors.

· Attend all mandatory staff trainings.

· Understand the unique challenges encountered by domestic violence victim-survivors and their need for advocacy and support.

· Respond to victim-survivors and their children with appropriate interpersonal communication and intervention skills.

· Maintain knowledge of all general and department-specific safety rules.

Accountability

• Establish and maintain clear boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as the ability to work effectively as a part of a team.

Communication

· Communicates with all staff, vendors, and residents in a clear and concise manner that is respectful and considerate

· Utilize active listening skills to better understand what staff, residents, and vendors are saying

· Respond without judgement, and provide feedback in a respectful manner

· Utilize effective de-escalation skills to support individuals and children and improve emotional regulation

Valuing and Leveraging Diversity

· Treat all people with dignity and respect.

· Demonstrate the ability to work with people from diverse racial, cultural, social, economic and LGBTQ backgrounds.

· Value diversity and leverage the benefits of different perspectives.

Emotional Intelligence

· Demonstrate the ability to tolerate ambiguous and stressful situations.

· Balance emotions with reason, logic, and reality-based thinking.

Work Environment

· Primary work setting is in the daycare.

· Participate in Check-In Meetings and other meetings as requested.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand, talk, and hear. The employee is required to use hands, fingers; handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls. Must be able to reach with hands and arms, frequently lift/move 30-50 lbs.; climb, stoop, kneel, crouch to child-height, and maintain eye contact at a child’s level; crawl; have steady balance. Employee must be able to sit on the floor or in a child-sized chair. Must be able to quickly move around both indoors and outside.

Anna Marie’s Alliance, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

“Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the Unite3d States and will be required to complete the federal employment verification process”

Pay: From $22.65 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Referral program

Work Location: In person