Youth Holistic Defense Advcocate

The Ideal Candidate will have:

Understanding of the juvenile justice system;
Experience working with children, teenagers, transition-aged youth;
Experience working with youth with developmental disabilities/mental health concerns;
Desire to work with system-involved and historically underserved youth;
Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines;
Ability to handle stressful situations, thrive under pressure, and adapt to change;
Excellent communication skills which include the ability to exchange information clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner with diverse groups of people;
Strong written advocacy skills;
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills;
Ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy;
Experience interviewing and assessing clients;
Ability to work well in a team environment, make positive contributions, and help others;
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities;
Strong research and analytical skills;
Adaptability, a positive attitude, and an impeccable character;
Ability to maintain confidentiality;
Have proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office;
Have the ability to read, write, converse fluently in English and Spanish (preferred for some positions).
Examples of Duties
Supports youth during all phases of justice system involvement, including detention, residential placement, probation supervision, and community reintegration.
Assesses and evaluates the behavioral health needs of youth for referrals to appropriate services, substance use or mental health treatment, medical care, vocational training programs, emergency housing, or appropriate placement options.
Conducts ongoing psychosocial assessments and collateral interviews with clients and their families.
Prepares social histories to assist in determining the most appropriate response to addressing a youth’s needs, including diversion suitability and transfer.
In consultation with the social work team and defense attorney, prepares written reports to provide culturally competent assessments, recommendations or release plans to the court.
Collaborates with youth, families, schools, community partners, and other public agencies to coordinate services and resources.
Provides crisis intervention and support services to clients as needed.
Identifies available social services in the community and connects clients with them.
Identifies issues that may have led the youth to involvement in the legal system.
Develops plans to help youth rejoin their communities and families following detention.
Advocates for community-based solutions as alternatives to detention.
Ensures that clients’ treatment needs are adequately addressed.
Provides support to youth during custodial detention.
Provides expertise to help judges and attorneys in understanding our clients’ background.
Contributes to early release from detention by identifying less restrictive placements for youth subject to long-term confinement.
Conducts regular home and detention facility visits.
Communicates regularly with attorneys regarding status of assignments.
Confers with and advises clients’ relatives to secure their understanding of and cooperation in treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Manages the care of clients by assessing and referring them to public and private providers and monitoring their progress.
Employment Standards
Applicants must meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) list below to be considered for this position. Detailed information should be included in the application.

Valid registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW), or Professional Clinical Counselor Interns (PCC); OR,
Waivered Psychologist status within California. Registration with Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
Appointees must obtain their California license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor within four years of appointment, as a condition of continued employment.

If appointee is under the Waivered Psychologist status, they must obtain their California License as a Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D. or PsyD) prior to the expiration of the waiver.

Additional requirements for PCC Intern: a minimum of (6) hours of continuing education (CE) specific to marriage and family therapy during each license renewal cycle.

Driver’s License: A valid Driver’s License may be required at the time of application. A valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment.

Other Requirements: Will be required to occasionally work outside normal business hours. This position will be based in Santa Maria, but countywide travel will be required.

Knowledge of: assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions; methods of developing and implementing a treatment plan; human service delivery systems; basic math.

Ability to: perform effective counseling with individuals, families, and groups; develop and maintain cooperative relationships with clients’ families, members of other professional disciplines, social service agencies, and co-workers; relate professionally to persons with serious mental disorders; identify and utilize community resources; prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports.