Youth Development Intern

About the role

The Residential Youth Development Intern supports the residential team in supervising and engaging youth residing in an agency-operated facility. Under close supervision, the intern assists with structured activities, daily routines, and documentation while gaining hands-on experience in residential child welfare services.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff in supervising youth during recreational, educational, and daily living activities
• Support implementation of structured group activities and programming
• Help reinforce cottage rules and daily routines under staff direction
• Absorb and learn behavior management strategies used by residential staff
• Support documentation by assisting with activity logs or incident documentation under supervision
• Participate in team meetings and supervision sessions
• Engage youth in pro-social skill building and positive relationship development
• Complete assigned professional development and training activities

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a college program related to Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Education, or a related field
• Strong interpersonal skills and interest in working with youth
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Reliable and punctual

Qualifications

• Prior volunteer or internship experience working with children or adolescents preferred
• Interest in residential treatment, child welfare, or youth development

Skills

• Basic group supervision and youth engagement skills
• Trauma-informed care principles
• Safety protocols and crisis response procedures
• Professional boundaries and relationship-building skills
• Documentation of daily interactions and incidents
• Career progression within residential and youth development services

Benefits

This internship is unpaid and credit-bearing, in accordance with each participating school’s academic requirements. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.

Pay

This position is unpaid.

Schedule

This position offers an in-person work schedule and is based in Wading River, NY. Occasional local travel with supervisory staff may occur.

Training

Interns may participate in selected agency trainings appropriate to their role. Participation in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training may be offered for learning purposes but is not a requirement for internship completion.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.

Accessibility

Some job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may be designed to protect the safety and health of the employee, their fellow employees and the individuals being served and may therefore exclude some individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected group status.