Youth Care Advocate

About the role

The Old Colony YMCA Boy's Detention Program seeks an individual to work directly with justice-involved youth in a positive-based residential setting. This is an entry-level position designed for those looking to start a career in the human services field.

Responsibilities

• Work in a supportive, team-oriented environment
• Gain hands-on experience working with youth
• Participate in extensive training opportunities, including:
• Trauma-Informed Care
• De-escalation Techniques
• Positive Youth Development and more

Requirements

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred
• Experience working with youth, particularly in a residential, group home, or behavioral health setting
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care or previous training in related approaches
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build trust and rapport with youth while maintaining professional boundaries
• Ability to de-escalate crises and manage conflict calmly and safely
• Physically and emotionally able to respond to challenging behaviors
• Good documentation and basic computer skills (for logging notes, incident reports, etc.)
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or overnights