Job Title: Youth Support Specialist

Location: Minneapolis Avenues (Onsite)

Reports To: Program Manager

Status: Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Core Schedule: Monday through Friday 1:30-10:30pm

Our Mission

Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, collective housing, and host homes housing for youth and young families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. We strive to do that in a safe and nurturing environment through a social justice lens. Avenues seeks to partner with youth and young families while they define their experiences, life dreams and future. Our work takes into account historical trauma, systems of oppression, and intersectionality while being grounded in the power of resiliency, healing, and community.  

The Youth Support Specialist provides direct support to youth in a structured, safe, and supportive environment. This role focuses on building positive relationships, supporting daily routines, and helping youth develop the skills needed for long-term stability and independence. This is a fully onsite, hands-on role working closely with youth.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 2:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Compensation

Pay range: $20.77 – $22.50/hour

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.    

Youth Engagement & Support

• Build positive, professional relationships with youth
• Provide mentoring and support with routines, meals, and independent living skills
• De-escalate conflicts and maintain a safe environment
• Support youth in developing life skills and daily structure
• Maintain a safe and structured environment
• Complete room checks and follow shift expectations
• Answer phones and manage building access
• Support daily operations and program routines
• Encourage youth participation in chores and community expectations

Program Operation

• Maintain a safe and structured environment
• Complete room checks and follow shift expectations
• Answer phones and manage building access
• Support daily operations and program routines
• Encourage youth participation in chores and community expectations

Communication & Documentation

• Complete documentation accurately and promptly
• Provide clear shift updates to team members 
• Maintain professional communication with staff and leadership

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• Experience working with youth or in human services preferred
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Must be at least 24 years of age

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong relationship-building and rapport-building skills with diverse youth populations.  
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.  
• Active listening and conflict resolution skills.  
• Ability to de-escalate challenging situations while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.  
• Strong observational skills to recognize changes in youth behavior, safety concerns, or program needs.  
• Accurate documentation and recordkeeping skills.  
• Time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities during a shift.  
• Teamwork and collaboration skills, including effective shift-to-shift communication.  
• Basic computer skills, including proficiency with email, documentation systems, and Microsoft Office or similar software.  
• Ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.  
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during crises or emergencies.  
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.  
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and shifting program priorities.  
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively as part of a team.  
• Ability to encourage, motivate, and support youth in achieving personal goals and developing independent living skills. 
• Ability to successfully complete a background check, including a Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) background study.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, twist, kneel, and communicate. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)  

Avenues for Homeless Youth is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We embrace diversity, foster inclusion, and do our work through an equitable lens. Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, other minorities, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.   

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  

TOTAL REWARDS 

Compensation: $20.77-$22.50 per hour 

Benefits: 

• We offer health insurance with strong employer contribution 
• Employer-paid dental, life, AD&D, and disability coverage 
• Generous PTO and paid holidays Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Staff appreciation events 

JOB CODE: 1000095