Student Advocate

Description:

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children and teens facing homelessness? Are you searching for not just a job, but a calling? Door of Hope, a Christian nonprofit that empowers families facing homelessness to transform their lives, is hiring a Student Advocate to be part of our life-changing work.

The Student Advocate assists in all aspects of the children’s program, early intervention, teen program, and special events. This role requires a ministry-minded individual with a genuine passion for children, strong organizational skills, and a proactive, self-starting approach. The position does require some schedule flexibility, but provides room to grow with the organization. The Student Advocate will diligently work with children of a variety of ages to nurture a sense of belonging and safety, God-given strengths, and to empower children to grow emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Schedule

• 20-22 hours/week: Monday 1:30-8:30pm; Tuesday-Thursday 4-8:30pm (with some flexibility)
• Occasional weekends

Requirements:

Responsibilities

• Prepare, pick up supplies for, and implement scheduled enrichment curriculum bi-weekly under direction of the Youth Coordinator and/or Children & Youth Manager
• Pick up donations and distribute items according to the program’s needs
• Communicate regularly with residents, team members, and program manager
• Create a welcoming environment for families through warmth, approachability, and intentional relationship-building
• Provide sign-up support for tutoring with School on Wheels, summer camps, and other partner organizations
• Provide consistent structure and behavior management when needed in alignment with Door of Hope’s discipline philosophy and policies
• Provide warm hospitality and clear guidance to volunteers, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported
• Uphold organizational standards by managing cleanliness, order, and functionality of children’s spaces, storage room, and donations.
• Assist with various administrative tasks (permission slips, flyers, field trip paperwork, maintain calendars, etc.)
• Planning, organizing, and chaperoning field trip activities
• Assist with the youth programming under direction of the Youth Coordinator
• Act as point-person for children’s holiday activities, including helping with Annual Toy Drive, Summer Festival, and Door of Hope Christmas Party
• Perform any other task necessary to support the mission of Door of Hope

Qualifications

• Experience working with children required
• Experience working with children at-risk or children with trauma or teaching experience a plus
• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, education, or similar fields (in-progress or completed) a plus
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Driver's license and 2 years minimum experience driving required
• Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs. required
• Basic understanding of Microsoft software and computer literacy
• Demonstrates strong ownership and follow-through, with the ability to manage projects independently

Compensation & Benefits

Expected compensation: $20/hour to $22/hour depending on experience

Competitive benefits package including:

• Paid PTO: 12 sick days, 13 holidays, 10 vacation days (increases over tenure), 5 jury duty days, up to 5 bereavement days
• Health Insurance: we cover 100% of your premium on our Kaiser Gold HMO, Anthem Gold HMO Plans (PPO Plan is available as a buy-up option)
• We cover 50% of your dependents’ premium for our health insurance plan
• Employer contribution to employee’s dental and vision premiums
• Therapy Subsidy
• 403(b): 3% dollar-for-dollar match

Character (Do you embody Door of Hope’s four core values?)

Christ-centered, expressed through:

• Faith: We have an active and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Calling: Out of a sense of calling, we go above and beyond to meet our mission.
• Character: We demonstrate the character of Christ toward colleagues and families.

Empowering, expressed through:

• Trust: We trust one another, believe in one another, and give each other the freedom to take risks. (Mistakes are learning opportunities.)
• Accountability: We nurture God-given strengths through coaching and accountability.

Holistic, expressed through:

• Whole Person: Our emotional, spiritual and personal well-being matter to one another.
• Whole Organization: We are on one team with one mission. (We don’t do silos.)

Relationship, expressed through:

• Family: We love, celebrate, and pray with one another.
• Reconciliation: We manage conflict, practice vulnerability, and pursue diversity with honesty and grace.