Children Services Advocate - PT

Brief Description

The Children Services Advocate works with the Children Services Team to provide advocacy and facilitate deliverable [program] services. They serve as models for guests in the program while sharing hope and guidance throughout the program experience. The role involves direct involvement in providing quality services to guests, maintaining professional boundaries, praying with and advising children, and supporting their emotional and social development.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Work with the Children Services Team to provide advocacy and deliverable [program] services.
• Serve as a model for guests in the program, sharing hope and guidance.
• Maintain professional boundaries and guest confidentiality.
• Pray with, advise, and direct the efforts of children relating to spiritual, personal, and program needs.
• Create and build healthy Christ-honoring relationships with guests.
• Provide a developmental environment for children, offering appropriate support for their mental, emotional, academic, or physical challenges.
• Create multi-age lessons and activities to promote spiritual, mental, emotional, educational, and physical growth of children.
• Plan recreational activities and social events, including outdoor programs, physical exercise, field trips, and off-site activities.
• Monitor lessons of chapel speakers, ensuring consistency with biblical principles.
• Read and teach simple painting, drawing, crafts, and songs to children.
• Provide age-appropriate meals and snacks for children.
• Instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
• Dress children and change diapers.
• De-escalate adverse situations, both physically and emotionally, and provide appropriate crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
• Orient parents to Children Services Mission 101, new guest intake structure, values, and standards.
• Support volunteers assigned to Children Services.
• Maintain thorough and timely guest records in Mission Tracker, documenting services provided, incidents, mandated reporting, advocacy services, DSC requirements, observations, meals served, and medications administered.
• Attend meetings, professional training as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum high school diploma or GED.
• 3-plus years of experience in childcare services, nursery and youth ministry, child welfare advocacy, and behavioral health.
• Patience, gentleness, kindness, empathy, and joy.
• Ability to explain the Gospel and salvation to children.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Personal integrity, truthfulness, and accountability.
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Christian, living a life dedicated to Christ, and being an instrument of God's love, grace, hope, and forgiveness to all.
• Physical demands: Lifting and carrying children, cleaning the children services room and equipment, and maintaining a safe environment.
• Mental demands: Handling emotional stress and compassion fatigue, promoting self-care, and maintaining a safe, transparent, and healing environment.

Employment Status

Part-time 22.5 hours per week, non-exempt; eligible for paid time off; eligible for dental, vision, and Simple IRA 3% matching; anticipate flexible schedules; BFOQ (Bona Fide Occupational Qualification); Faith aligned; Evening Shift Monday - Thursday 2pm - 8:30pm & Friday 2pm- 7:30pm; Reports To: Children Services Manager; Starting rate of pay: $15.15 per hour.

Summary

Gospel Rescue Mission is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit religious organization that provides social service programs to the homeless and working poor populations. Employees of Gospel Rescue Mission choose to participate in a Grace-based environment by role-modeling Christ-like attributes and values, maintaining a safe and transparent environment, building healthy relationships, and embracing accountability. The mission centers around the will of God and honoring the name of Jesus Christ. Background checks, drug tests, and motor vehicle authorizations are completed on applicants in the conditional offer stage.