Child & Youth Advocate in Immokalee Residential Shelter
Primary Location: Immokalee Campus
Travel: Requires travel to Naples Campus, based on programmatic and organizational needs
Reports to: Residential Child & Youth Services Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Schedule Requirement: Must be available to work Wednesdays until 7:30 PM and maintain flexibility based on program needs.
Work Environment: Fully onsite position; no remote work opportunities available.
The Impact of This Position
The Child & Youth Advocate may work with infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and adolescents based on organizational and programmatic needs. This position requires flexibility, compassion, professionalism, and the ability to provide safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate support for children impacted by domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crises.
When child care services are not needed, the Child & Youth Advocate is expected to support the Immokalee Emergency Shelter Advocate team by providing survivor-centered advocacy and related services to adult and child survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, as assigned. Duties may include emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, resource coordination, and other advocacy services consistent with the employee's training and the needs of the program.
This is a dynamic, cross-functional position that requires the ability to "float" between programs and locations to meet operational needs. The Child & Youth Advocate should expect to travel to the Naples campus to assist the Child & Youth Services team when child care support is not needed in Immokalee or as otherwise directed by leadership.
What You’ll Do
Childcare & Supervision
- Supervise children at all times to ensure safety, health, and emotional well-being.
- Support children with hygiene routines, behavioral guidance, nutrition, and developmental needs.
- Maintain appropriate child-to-caregiver ratios in accordance with DCF standards.
- Follow all safety, sanitation, nutrition, and licensing requirements.
- Conduct classroom and facility safety checks and report concerns immediately.
Advocacy & Family Support
- Build supportive relationships with children, youth, and parents residing in Shelter services.
- Provide advocacy, emotional support, crisis intervention, and safety planning support as appropriate.
- Communicate with parents regarding developmental progress, behavioral concerns, and successes.
- Provide referrals and resource connections for families as needed.
Documentation & Administrative Duties
- Complete accurate and timely documentation, including attendance, incident reports, service tracking, and participant progress notes.
- Collect and maintain participant data and program information for reporting purposes.
- Maintain organized classrooms and activity spaces.
- Assist with program housekeeping and general operational support.
Any other duties as assigned.
Non-Negotiables
Education & Experience
- CDA, Associate’s degree, BA/BS degree in education, social services, child development, psychology, or related field preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Experience working with infants, toddlers, school-aged children, teens, youth recreation programs, camps, childcare settings, classrooms, or after-school programs required.
- Experience working within trauma-informed or social service environments preferred.
Certifications & Requirements
- Completion of First Aid and CPR certification required.
- DCF Child Care Training completion required or ability to obtain upon hire.
- Successful completion of The Shelter’s Core Competency training upon hire.
- Valid Florida Driver’s License required.
- Must pass state and federal background checks, provide satisfactory references, and complete a drug screening.
- Must maintain flexibility to work between Naples and Immokalee campuses based on operational needs.
Who You Are
- Caring, compassionate, and passionate about supporting children and families.
- Able to remain calm, professional, and composed during challenging situations.
- Comfortable working in fast-paced and emotionally sensitive environments.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Collaborative and team-oriented with strong communication skills.
- Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Comfortable learning new systems, software, and processes.
- Professional proficiency in English required; bilingual in Spanish or Creole strongly preferred.
- Willing to take ownership, adapt quickly, and support evolving program needs.
What We Value
- Human connection and personal growth.
- Compassion, empathy, and kindness.
- Professionalism and leadership by example.
- Resilience and adaptability.
- Open and honest communication.
- Commitment to mission-driven work.
- Attention to detail and accountability.
- Collaboration and community partnership.
- Passion for supporting survivors and their children.
Full-Time Employee Benefits Package
The Shelter offers a spectacular benefits package for all full-time staff, including a 36-hour work week, staff appreciation events, and a generous 200 hours of paid time off. The Shelter’s Wellness Plan covers 100% of medical and mental health benefits and includes affordable dental and vision plans, employer-match 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off Buy Back Program for eligible employees, and wellness incentives that support a healthy and balanced work environment.
Work Environment, ADA & Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
You must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and bend, stoop, sit, or stand for extended periods as needed. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this role.
The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable regulations.
Join Us
Make a meaningful difference in the lives of survivors and help build a stronger, safer, and more resilient community.
Apply online today!
