Volunteer Addiction Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Us:

VOALA
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.

PAY RATE: $23.46 - $24.69 Per Hour
BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

Best practice research emphasizes that training is strongly associated with successful and long-lasting mentoring relationships. Mentoring for youth affected by the opioid crisis and drug addiction program supports the delivery of mentoring services to youth who are currently abusing or addicted to drugs (including opioids and methamphetamine), youth at risk for abusing drugs, and youth with family members who are currently abusing or addicted to drugs. The program goal is to improve outcomes (such as improved academic performance and reduced school dropout rates) for youth impacted by opioids and drug addiction through mentoring. The program will provide potential mentors with an initial Overview of program guidelines, benefits, responsibilities and expectations, and acceptable behavior boundaries. Individuals who agree to become mentors after participating in the orientation must complete 15 hours of core pre-match training focused on effective mentoring of youth who have been impacted by the opioid crisis, including:

• Mentors as role models of healthy relationships;
• Motivational Interviewing and principles of other evidence-based practices;
• Substance abuse, mental health, and physical health treatment and referral;
• Use of Activity Logs and other data collection/tracking / reporting functions for program monitoring and evaluation;
• Interpersonal communication skills to enhance mentor effectiveness;
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches to services;
• Awareness of available services and referral procedures;
• Ethical standards and the nature of the mentor/mentee relationship
• Safety

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively recruit and train mentor volunteers in a program that assists human trafficking survivors in their reintegration into society
  • Develop and implement introductory mentor training, and scheduled ongoing training
  • Participate in outreach events to recruit volunteers and outside support for program participants
  • Screen volunteers in coordination with Case Managers to ensure mentor qualification and commitment
• Provide oversight and support to mentors and staff in the areas of life skill development, victim support, job skills development, mental health advocacy and substance abuse support
  • Match Mentors with clients, with matches made to ensure compatibility of personality, interests, and culture (values, preferences, and beliefs).
  • Once a mentor has been trained and a potential match has been identified, the prospective mentor and mentee, along with program staff and the mentees parent/guardian, will meet for an interview.
  • Monitor and facilitate engagement activities
• Assist Program Manager in daily operations of the program including providing insight, support, and problem solving to challenges that mentor volunteers may encounter working with participants
• Coordinate with Case Managers and Peer Support specialist the use of Evidence Based Practices, including trauma informed care, Positive Youth Development, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety and Harm Reduction.
  • Review and monitor participants assessments and Individual Service Plan, tracking achievement of goals
  • Ensuring appropriate evaluation and reporting of program activities
• Participate and assist with community awareness events, including providing survivor awareness and identification training to law enforcement, FBOs and CBOs

ESSENTIAL ABILITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Ability to work and deal with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs, which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.
• Recruiting and screening Volunteers
• Develop initial training and ongoing Mentor training
• Supervise Volunteer Mentors, provide oversight and support
• Coordinate with Case Management staff, supporting best practices, ensuring appropriate records of services provided, goals achieved.
• Advise Program Manager on needs and accomplishments of Volunteer Mentors as they support participants
• Support Case Management Staff in providing Intensive Case Management Services
• Participate in community outreach events
• Other duties as required to support the mission and goals of the program.

MANDATED REPORTER

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelors Degree in social work, psychology or counseling from fully-accredited college or university
• Or Four years of relevant mentoring or counselling experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• 3 years of experience working with homeless youth population, including substance abuse prevention (in addition to the education requirement, that is, a candidate without a degree must have four years of experience providing counselling/mentoring plus three years working with the target clients).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in social work, psychology or counseling from fully-accredited college or university
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.