Youth Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

Position Description :

NAYA Family Center is seeking a compassionate and culturally grounded Youth Advocate to join our Youth & Education Services team. This role provides critical support to students, helping them navigate educational challenges, build life skills, and connect to community resources. You will work directly with students, families, and schools to foster academic success, personal growth, and cultural identity. Approximately 75% of this position involves direct service, with the remainder focused on program coordination, documentation, and advocacy.

This position is part of NAYA’s broader Youth and Education programming, collaborating with schools, community partners, and families to create wraparound support for students.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees (with affordable options for family members), a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match, paid vacation, and 16 paid holidays.

This is a full-time role with work hours of 9 am to 6 pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch. Some evening and weekend work may be required based on project needs. Once training and onboarding are complete, there may be flexibility to work from home 1-2 days a week with supervisor approval.

The pay rate for this position starts at $23 per hour.

Who You Are

• Ideally, you have lived or professional experience working with diverse populations, particularly within Native American communities.
• You are familiar with local community resources, emergency services, and social service agencies, especially for low-income and diverse populations.
• You connect with clients in ways that motivate better outcomes while demonstrating patience, empathy, and accountability.
• You are skilled in building strong relationships with youth, families, and community partners.
• You are organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• You are committed to trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and culturally responsive services.
• You communicate effectively across diverse backgrounds and build relationships grounded in respect and empathy.
• You are flexible, adaptable, and able to remain steady and responsive in high-stress situations.
• You are a collaborative team member, comfortable working across agencies and programs to deliver wraparound services.
• You maintain thorough, timely, and accurate documentation in line with agency and funder requirements.
• You demonstrate self-awareness, listening deeply, centering others, and taking accountability for your actions.
• You are consistently punctual, reliable, and dependable in support of your team and clients.
• You are proficient in computer skills, including web-based research, word processing, MS Excel, and email.

What You'll Do

Application Instructions Providing a cover letter helps us best understand your interest in the role, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.

Questions? Want to chat about this role before you decide to apply? Contact Evelyn Aguilar, Youth Advocacy Manager, or the HR team.

NAYA is committed to building a work environment that respects and inspires every community member. Our mission is to serve Urban Native youth and families, so we strongly encourage members of the Native community to apply. We encourage applications from members of other historically marginalized groups, as well, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who have served in the military.

Requirements :