Youth Development Specialist (Shelter)

Help young people find safety when they need it most.

As a Youth Development Specialist in our Shelter, you''ll create a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment where youth can feel secure, build confidence, and develop skills for the future. Through everyday moments, from helping with homework and activities to modeling healthy relationships and coping skills, you''ll have the opportunity to build meaningful connections and make a lasting impact.

Position Details

• Location: Emergency Shelter
• Pay: Starting at $18.65
• Schedule: various
• Position: Full-time
• Travel: Local community travel required

What You''ll Do

• Provide a safe, supportive environment for youth by providing consistent supervision, encouragement, and trauma-informed care.
• Build positive relationships with youth while modeling healthy boundaries, communication, coping skills, and appropriate behavior.
• Engage youth in everyday activities such as homework, recreation, chores, groups and other opportunities that build life and social skills.
• Support youth during times of crisis or transition, including providing crisis intervention, conducting intakes, and connecting youth with appropriate resources.
• Be an active part of the Shelter team by communicating with coworkers, documenting important information, coordinating services, and helping keep daily operations running smoothly.

What You''ll Bring

• A High School Diploma or equivalent
• An understanding of healthy emotional boundaries and the needs and challenges youth may experience.
• Strong communication, conflict resolution and intervention skills to support youth through a variety of situations.
• The ability to work effective with individuals from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience working with at-risk youth is preferred, but not required.
• A Class E Driver''s licensed is required, or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to become CPR certified required.

Benefits

Eligible full-time employees have access to:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability coverage
• Employee assistance program and flexible spending account
• 401(k) with employer match
• Education and tuition assistance

Vacation increases with tenure:

• Years 1-2: 2 weeks
• Year 3: 3 weeks
• Years 4-6: 4 weeks
• Year 7 onward: 5 weeks

Why Youth In Need?

At Youth In Need, your work means something. Every position contributes to our mission of building on the strengths of children, youth and families so they can find safety, hope and success in life.

Youth In Need has been named a St. Louis Post-Dispatch Top Workplace 12 times since 2013. We are recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an "exemplary program" and are nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation. For more information about Youth In Need, please visit www.youthinneed.org.

Ready to make a difference?

Apply today through the application link or visit www.youthinneed.org to explore career opportunities.

Questions or need a copy of the full job description? Contact careers@youthinneed.org.

Youth In Need is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal opportunities for all applicants and employees without regard to ability, age, ancestry, color, cultural background, faith/religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, income, marital status, national origin, political belief/affiliation, pregnancy, race, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.