Violent Crime Initiative Advocate

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: The court advocate will focus on providing in person court support, advocacy, and case management while working in partnership with other VCI staff. This position is also responsible for maintaining relationships with relevant lawyers and court staff, note taking in court, conducting assessments and intakes, inputting documentation/notes in databases, obtaining subpoenas, and providing court updates as necessary to VCI staff. This includes attending all court dates, being a strong advocate in court working with young people, working in partnership with lawyers, providing monthly court updates to YEAH staff, and overall assisting young people with getting out of the system. With a heavy focus on the legal system, the court advocate will assist young people with completing tasks that are beneficial to them and their individual situation. These responsibilities require case management skills and include helping young people obtain vital documents, coordinating mental health care, coordinating school reconnections, conducting home and school visits, assisting with medical appointments, etc.

Job Requirements: Valid driver’s license and ability to drive are required. Philadelphia residency or becoming a resident within 3 months is required. High school diploma required; Bachelor’s preferred. Bilingual in English and Spanish (native fluency preferred) is required. Candidates must have a demonstrated background and expertise of working with Black identifying teenagers and young adults and outstanding engagement with youth and young adults, providing outstanding advocacy in systems, specifically the court system; superior case management skills, demonstrated track record of successfully building healthy and trusting relationships with this population; candidates should be detail oriented, have life and professional experience in social work, human services, a strong interest in social justice and the ability to grasp concepts around violence, race, and systems, as well as the ability to stand up against systems and advocate for the best interest of young people; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and excellent time management and organizational skills.

Those who identify racially or ethnically as Black or Brown and have been personally impacted by the criminal legal system or violence (directly or indirectly) are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff must approach youth communication with cultural humility, recognizing that urban dialect and vernacular are valid and legitimate forms of expression. Correcting, redirecting, or shaming a young person's natural way of speaking is not acceptable and is not aligned with YEAH's values. Candidates are expected to understand the power dynamics at play when adults police youth language, and to apply a trauma-informed lens that affirms rather than diminishes how young people express themselves. Youth are the experts of their own lives and that includes how they communicate. Harmful language, however, is never exempt, staff are expected to address and redirect it.

This position requires the ability to travel locally by SEPTA and or company vehicles. Candidates must be able to sit for extended periods of time in courtrooms and office settings, walk or stand for periods of time during community outreach and field work, and navigate various facilities including detention centers, schools, and community sites.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and build healthy, trusting relationships with teens and young adults and empower them to learn how to advocate for their needs.
• Attend all court dates and provide ongoing court support and advocacy to improve legal outcomes.
• Conduct case management tasks such as home visits, school visits, and assisting with helping young people obtain vital documents, employment, and wrap around services as needed.
• Coordination of care such as mental health care, medical visits, school reconnections, etc.
• Take notes in court, conduct assessments, obtain subpoenas as necessary. Document progress in database.
• Complete intake assessments and complete progress notes as necessary.
• Maintain all documentation and utilize databases to provide written updates on progress.
• Visit teens and young adults who are currently in custody, placements or holding facilities for ongoing wellness visits.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Emails are expected to respond to emails within 24 business hours.
• All other duties assigned

Full-time with benefits package. Employer pays 85% of total benefits package (health, dental, vision, FSA after 60 days). 160 hours of PTO for the first year (80 hours personal and 80 hours of set company days off), with paid company holidays off. Paid professional development and wellness perks.

Those who identify racially or ethnically as Black or Brown and have been personally impacted by the criminal legal system or violence (directly or indirectly) are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff must approach youth communication with cultural humility, recognizing that urban dialect and vernacular are valid and legitimate forms of expression. Correcting, redirecting, or shaming a young person's natural way of speaking is not acceptable and is not aligned with YEAH's values. Candidates are expected to understand the power dynamics at play when adults police youth language, and to apply a trauma-informed lens that affirms rather than diminishes how young people express themselves. Youth are the experts of their own lives and that includes how they communicate. Harmful language, however, is never exempt, staff are expected to address and redirect it.