Youth Advocate

Youth Advocate – Practicum Position

Reports to: Health & Wellness Coordinator

Mission: Sherwood Forest provides dynamic programs and immersive outdoor experiences that inspire and empower youth from under-resourced communities to discover their resilience, prepare for their future, and embrace their civic responsibility.

Position Summary:

This position is open to applicants currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s in social work, psychology, counseling, or another mental health and/or behavioral health-related field. The Youth Advocate role is critical in supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral health of campers throughout their time at camp. They are responsible for establishing strong, positive relationships with the youth at camp, as well as serve as a resource for other seasonal program staff. This is a residential position, requiring full-time residence at Sherwood Forest’s camp from mid-May to early August. Free room and board are provided.

Job Requirements and Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with youth, focusing on safety, support, interaction, and engagement.
• Utilize strengths-based, solution-focused brief counseling with youth around issues such as homesickness, peer conflict, family issues, and mental health. 
• Identify youth needs through discussion and observation then respond using an appropriate intervention. 
• Anticipate and help manage challenging youth behavior. When needed, collaborate with youth to develop and implement behavior support plans.
• Facilitate training for seasonal program staff.
• Provide ongoing guidance and coaching to seasonal staff on how to appropriately respond to youth needs and behaviors.
• Communicate with families to discuss their child’s successes and challenges while at camp, when necessary.
• Consult with Camp Director and Camp Nurse regarding youth issues and/or disclosures; complete necessary documentation related to youth issues and/or disclosures.
• Obtain personal care items and other resources for youth as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned by Health & Wellness Coordinator, Camp Nurse, or Camp Director.

Qualifications & Certifications:

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or another mental health and/or behavioral health-related field.
• Previous experience working with youth.
• Must be 21+ years old.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a Class E, pass a driver’s certification program, and be approved by insurance company.
• Must be available for all training and programming from late May-early August.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and sustain positive rapport with youth of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
• Puts time and energy into listening to others and is approachable. 
• Ability to assess an individual’s strengths and challenges and support them to achieve their goals.
• Ability to anticipate, identify, and resolve problems in a timely manner. Gathers information skillfully and works well with others to solve problems.
• Consistently models positive, supportive interactions and appropriate boundaries for staff and youth.
• Flexibility. Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner.
• Open to personal growth and responsive to constructive criticism.

Essential Functions:

• Effectively communicate in person or by phone, and exchange accurate information.
• Work in and navigate a rustic environment which includes diverse terrain and weather conditions.
• Ensure constant supervision of campers.
• Work long hours.
• Drive camp vehicles.
• Lift 25 pounds. 

About Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest Camp, Inc. is a year-round, youth development agency, anchored in a residential summer camp experience. We provide dynamic programs and immersive outdoor experiences that inspire and empower youth from under-resourced communities to discover their resilience, prepare for their future, and embrace their civic responsibility.  Through our Quest, Outdoor Education, and Supports for Success programs, we help kids discover the best in themselves so they can grow up to do good in the world.

The Quest program serves children from 1st to 9th grade.  The Supports for Success (S4S) program serves camp alumni beginning in the 10th grade to help them ensure post-secondary pursuits and support them as they transition into young adulthood.

Sherwood Forest is committed to eliminating racism, biases, and racial disparities in our society and eradicating barriers that thwart the development, growth and prosperity of youth in our community.  All staff must be willing to work to that end and committed to our upholding our race equity cultural pledge.

Sherwood Forest is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All candidates have an equal opportunity for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or status as a veteran. Personal staff information – (application, references, background investigations, medical records) – will not be released, except as may be required by law. Requests for references regarding the staff member’s performance will be honored; however, the staff member must authorize the release of such information. 

All those who attend or work at Sherwood Forest, are required to have age appropriate vaccines as outlined but the Missouri Department of Public Health & Senior Services (Missouri Statute 167.181). https://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/immunizations/pdf/2022schoolrequirements.pdf These immunizations are also required for students to attend school in Missouri. 

Staff are also required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to starting employment at Sherwood Forest. Documentation of vaccine status will be requested once a position has been offered.

Religious (Imm.P.11A) and Medical (Imm.P.12) exemptions are allowed and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. The appropriate exemption card and approval for accommodation must be on file prior to arriving at Sherwood Forest. 

To apply:

Submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with necessary contact information to hiring@sherwoodforeststl.org.