Openings & Location

We are hiring one person who will be working with stakeholders along the Wasatch front. Ideally, the person hired will reside within this service area. Relocation assistance is not available.

This is currently a hybrid position with required office days and in-person meetings with partners, youth and families.

What You Will Be Doing
Under general supervision, this position is responsible for connecting youth who wait for permanent homes with families who wish to adopt by implementing and coordinating effective recruitment, matching and support services for a caseload of 12-15 active youth. Collaborating with other stakeholders, the Youth Connections Advocate follows an established evidenced based, child- focused model to find loving homes for youth, especially those hardest to place, in the foster care system and will also build relationships within the community and raise awareness and education about foster care and adoption. At its core, this position is about problem solving, advocacy, and finding lost connections for the youth to help them find stability in their lives and raise their future.

A key strategy in the child-focused recruitment model is to explore the youth’s history and contact people with whom the youth has a pre-existing relationship (such as relative, neighbors, mentors, teachers, pastors, etc.) who may serve as potential adoptive placements or as sources of information to find a permanent home for that youth. Finding an adoptive placement who the youth already knows can increase their comfort with and openness to adoption.

Who We Are

We believe that every young person deserves to go through life knowing they have a caring adult by their side. So, every day, we show up for kids in foster care by listening to their needs and introducing them to adults they can rely on. We then surround those connections with support so that they grow into meaningful, lasting relationships that help our youth heal from the past. Because to truly raise the future, we must raise the bar for what it means to support vulnerable youth and families as they navigate life. That's what Raise the Future is all about.

What You Will Get To Learn

In this position, you will expand your knowledge of the child welfare system, learn about the dynamics of trauma with children and youth, and build upon your experience in advocacy. As a Youth Connections Advocate, you will also learn and implement the Dave Thomas Foundation's Wendy's Wonderful Kids child-focused recruitment model that is child-focused and evidence-based in helping youth achieve permanency.

Who We Are Seeking

The successful candidate is determined - driven by a purpose to achieve outcomes. We are also looking for someone who has a passion for finding connections for youth, and who is not shy. You must be an advocate for yourself and youth. This position is best suited for someone who is hard working and loves problem solving.

Qualifications include a bachelor's degree, preferably in social work or other related field (master's degree is preferred), and at least one year of experience working with older youth, preferably working in the child welfare system. This includes working with CASA, the judicial system, probation, department of human services, foster care, group homes, day treatment programs, or mental health. See Qualifications below for additional details.

What We Offer

As a nonprofit organization, we are mission driven, and our employees are highly engaged in the work they do. The best reward is when our efforts payoff and our youth find lasting connections with an adult.

We offer a great culture and a full benefits package too. We value the need for work life balance offering four (4) weeks of PTO and 10+ paid holidays per year, plus much more - that's 30 paid days off per year! Our benefits include:

• Health Insurance

• Dental & vision insurance

• 100% Paid life, long-term and short-term disability insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and childcare

• Health Savings Accounts

• 401k with matching contributions & immediate vesting

• Flexible work arrangements available on case-by-case basis

• Employee Assistance Program

• Discount programs

• Paid Parental Leave

The hiring range for this position is $46,000 - $51,000 annually*.

• Actual hiring range may vary based on qualifications.

What You Will Be Able To Accomplish

As a Youth Connections Advocate, you will be building a network of supportive connections in the lives of children and youth, with the ultimate goal of helping them achieve legal permanency. In doing so, you will be raising the future for youth.

You Get to Work With

You will join our diverse team of Youth Connection Advocates who are like-minded in their passion to make a difference in the lives of children and youth in foster care - working closely with various stakeholders from multiple disciplines, including community leaders, CASA employees, case workers, attorneys, therapists, youth, judges, and more.

Serious candidates should submit a cover letter.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience working within child welfare, including CASA, courts, probation, department of human services, foster care, group home, day treatment program, or mental health.

• Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field.

• General computer literacy required. Microsoft Office Suite and experience working within database (data mining) (preferred).

• Up to 50% travel, mostly driving within the state, is required. Successful candidates have dependable transportation and must be insurable as a driver. A full list of driver qualifications can be found here: Driver Qualifications.

• Ability and willingness to travel with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.

• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations, including public agency staff.

• Willingness to engage in cold calling.

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work.

• Previous working experience with adoption or child welfare.

• Expertise in providing family support services.

• Knowledgeable regarding impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.