Youth Advocacy Staff

Description

Under the supervision of the Senior Program Director, Youth Advocacy Staff lead the RESET Program, a job readiness, leadership, and mentorship initiative designed for youth ages 13-17 who are at risk, court-involved, or would benefit from structured support and life-skill development. Staff is responsible for program design, daily operations, partner collaboration with Worcester Public Schools and Worcester Juvenile Courts, participant engagement, and maintaining a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed environment. 

Essential Functions:

• Oversee daily operations of the RESET Program, ensuring alignment with YMCA goals, juvenile justice partnerships, and community priorities.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate job-readiness programming, including career exploration, work ethic development, resume building, interview skills, workplace behavior, and hands-on pre-employment workshops.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with participants through consistent mentorship, behavior modeling, and positive youth development practices.
• Coordinate leadership development sessions, academic support, and community service components that complement job-readiness goals.
• Maintain participant safety and appropriate boundaries during all program activities.
• Collaborate with Juvenile Court personnel, schools, probation officers, social workers, employer partners, and community agencies for referrals and participant support.
• Conduct intakes, assessments, and individual goal-setting related to career interests and employment readiness.
• Track attendance, progress notes, job-readiness benchmarks, and all required documentation.
• Monitor program outcomes and use data to evaluate and refine program delivery.
• Manage scheduling, partnerships with employers or workforce programs, and program resource needs.
• Ensure all program activities follow YMCA policies, risk-management protocols, and trauma-informed practice guidelines.
• Dress in an appropriate professional manner that reflects the YMCA dress code policy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Workforce Development, Criminal Justice, or related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working with youth ages 13-17, especially at-risk or court-involved populations.
• Experience in youth workforce development, employment readiness training, career coaching, or related programming strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care, youth development principles, and positive behavior support strategies.
• Strong communication, mentoring, and crisis-intervention skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including afternoons, evenings, and occasional weekends.
• Must pass CORI/SORI background checks and possess a valid driver's license.
• CPR and First Aid certifications required (or obtained within 90 days of hire).

Job Type: Part-Time (Non-Exempt)

Schedule: After school Monday-Friday 2:00pm-7:00pm

Pay: $19.00/hr. Plus, access to YMCA facilities for all YMCA employees, Employee Assistance Program, and Sick Leave 

If this sounds like something you are qualified to do and want to apply, please submit your online application today!

The Y: We’re for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

OUR CULTURE: Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are a safe place for children, teens and vulnerable populations, and all staff, regardless of their role within the organization, are required to ensure the trust that families place in us is earned each and every day. Child protection is every employee’s job, and employees may not begin work until they are trained. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to strengthen our community, beginning with you.