Youth Advocate

Job Title: Overnight Youth Advocate Shelter (Onsite)

Sign on Bonus: Sign on Bonus of $600 (Half paid out at 3 months and the other half at 12 months).  

Salary Range: $18.00 - $21.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Sign on Bonus of $600 (Half paid out at 3 months and other half at 12 months).  
• Full-time employees are eligible for:
• Paid time off (PTO) starting at 18 days annually. 
• Medical, Dental, FSA & HSA options 
• Life, STD, LTD
• EAP
• First Stop Health
• 401K company match up to 4% 
• 12 paid company holidays
• Part-time employees are eligible for Earned Sick and Safe Time

Description:

180 Degrees’ youth shelters provide short-term, crisis-based shelter and stabilization for young people ages 12–19 who are experiencing homelessness, running away, family conflict, exploitation, or involvement with child welfare, juvenile probation, or law enforcement. Many youth entering shelter have experienced trauma, instability, and disrupted relationships and require a safe, structured, and supportive environment during a critical time.

The Youth Advocate is a direct care role and the primary point of daily engagement with youth in shelter. Youth Advocates create safety, stability, and connection through consistent presence, relationship-building, supervision, and skill modeling. This role involves high levels of youth interaction, relationship building, milieu management, de-escalation, and daily living assistance, while supporting case management goals and maintaining accurate documentation.

Youth Advocates do not provide clinical services and do not carry caseloads, but play a vital role in supporting youth healing, growth, and stabilization through day-to-day interactions.

This position does not have direct reports. All Youth Advocate shifts are awake.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Youth Engagement, Milieu Management, and Relationship-Building 

• Maintain active, consistent engagement with youth throughout the shift to support safety, connection, and positive peer interactions.
• Create a calm, predictable, and supportive milieu through presence, modeling, and respectful communication.
• Build trusting, professional relationships with youth through listening, encouragement, and mentorship.
• Model healthy boundaries, communication, conflict resolution, and coping strategies.
• Participate in recreational, educational, and group activities with youth as appropriate.
• Actively participates in milieu management with treatment team collaboration.
• Interact with clients whenever possible.

Safety and De-Escalation 

• Maintain high situational awareness and intervene early to de-escalate conflict or distress using trauma-responsive approaches.
• Conduct required safety checks, room checks, and bed checks, including overnight visual observations.
• Respond to crises, emergencies, or safety concerns in accordance with training and program policy.
• Ensure youth safety during daily routines, transitions, and activities.
• Youth Advocate shifts are awake at all times.

Daily Living Support and Structure

• Support youth with daily routines such as meals, chores, hygiene, schedules, and transitions.
• Assist with meal preparation and promote healthy eating habits.
• Support youth in understanding and following house expectations in a clear, consistent, and respectful manner.
• Provide orientation to new youth, including checking in personal property and completing luggage searches per policy.
• Transport youth as needed for school, appointments, intakes, or other approved activities.

Medication Assistance and Health Support

• Assist with medication administration in accordance with training, program policy, and licensing requirements.
• Accurately complete required Medication Administration Records (MARs).
• Observe youth for medication effects or concerns and report issues to on-call leadership as required.
• Support youth access to medical, mental health, or chemical health services as directed.

Documentation and Communication

• Complete timely, accurate, and factual documentation in Power180 and other required systems.
• Document youth interactions, observations, incidents, safety checks, and shift notes.
• Communicate relevant information to teammates during shift changes to ensure continuity of care.
• Share observations with Case Managers and supervisors to support case planning and follow-up.

Teamwork, Training, and Professional Practice

• Work collaboratively with other Youth Advocates, Case Managers, and program staff.
• Attend staff meetings, shift change reports, and complete required trainings.
• Follow all agency policies, licensing requirements (MN Rules 2960), and safety procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical practice.

Perform other duties as assigned

I will have performed my job well when I:

• Build positive, professional relationships with youth.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and supportive shelter environment.
• Respond calmly and effectively to challenging situations.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation.
• Communicate clearly with teammates across shifts.
• Treat youth and coworkers with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Qualifications: 

• 21 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Ability to pass a criminal background study.
• Experience working with youth preferred.
• Must be able to lift, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and use flights of stairs.
• Must be able to walk regularly and frequently, including ascending and descending flights of stairs, to conduct safety checks.
• Lifting and physical requirements as required for kitchen and meal preparation duties; and as required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Essential Competencies: 

• Cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to build rapport with youth while maintaining boundaries.
• De-escalation, crisis response, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong observational and communication skills.
• Basic food preparation skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete electronic documentation.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer. The employee is frequently required walk, stand, and go up and down stairs.

Positively Contribute: 

Positively Contribute to the 180 Degrees Vision and Mission. Vision: Every person can experience hope for the future and reach their full potential. Mission: 180 Degrees creates safe spaces and services that honor each individual’s healing journey. 

Non-Profit Location/Work Environment: 

This is an on-site, awake position. 

About 180 Degrees:

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a fast-growing non-profit organization. Founded over 50 years ago, 180 Degrees is recognized for piloting innovative solutions to address challenges of homelessness, sexual exploitation, poverty and incarceration. With program sites around the state, 180 Degrees continues to expand its portfolio of programs and services now impacting the lives of over 2,000 youth and adults each year.  We seek leaders who will guide the next growth phase of our organization. 

180 Degrees, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

180 Degrees’ intention is for our staff reflect the communities we serve. We actively encourage women, people of color, differently abled,  and other diverse candidates to apply for open positions.