What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist position at Avenues for Youth?
Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist
Organizational Overview
Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, collective housing, and host homes for youth and young families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Our work is rooted in social justice and partnership with youth, honoring their lived experiences, goals, and visions for the future. We recognize historical trauma, systems of oppression, and intersectionality while centering resiliency, healing, and community.
Program Overview
Minneapolis Avenues is Avenues for Youth’s original and longest-running program. Located in North Minneapolis, the program provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and intensive supportive services to up to 20 youth at a time, ages 18–24. Annually, the program serves approximately 170–190 young people.
Position Overview
The Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist provides leadership and oversight for overnight operations, ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive engagement of youth residents. This role combines direct youth support with staff supervision, coaching, and operational responsibilities to ensure overnight shifts run smoothly and align with Avenues for Youth’s mission and values.
All work is grounded in the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work and uses trauma-informed, strengths-based, and harm-reduction approaches to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for youth and staff.
Key Responsibilities
| Overnight shifts (typically 8pm–6am, four nights per week), with additional hours for meetings, training, and coverage as needed |
Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist
Minneapolis Avenues Program
Organizational Overview
Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, collective housing, and host homes for youth and young families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Our work is rooted in social justice and partnership with youth, honoring their lived experiences, goals, and visions for the future. We recognize historical trauma, systems of oppression, and intersectionality while centering resiliency, healing, and community.
Program Overview
Minneapolis Avenues is Avenues for Youth’s original and longest-running program. Located in North Minneapolis, the program provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and intensive supportive services to up to 20 youth at a time, ages 18–24. Annually, the program serves approximately 170–190 young people.
Position Overview
The Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist provides leadership and oversight for overnight operations, ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive engagement of youth residents. This role combines direct youth support with staff supervision, coaching, and operational responsibilities to ensure overnight shifts run smoothly and align with Avenues for Youth’s mission and values.
All work is grounded in the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work and uses trauma-informed, strengths-based, and harm-reduction approaches to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for youth and staff.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Overnight Operations
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive overnight environment for youth and staff
• Model trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strengths-based practices
• Promote community and accountability grounded in the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work
• Fill overnight coverage gaps when on-call staff are unavailable to ensure continuous supervision
• Ensure completion of overnight operational tasks, including room checks, answering phones and doors, and shift checklists
• Maintain cleanliness and order throughout the house and assist with deep cleaning and basic maintenance as needed
Youth Engagement and Support
• Build genuine, professional relationships with youth to meet their basic needs in a safe and engaging environment
• Provide one-on-one mentoring, including support with homework, meals, routines, and independent living skills
• Coach youth in developing skills related to housing stability, education, employment, and healthy relationships
• Role model positive social interactions and support constructive conflict resolution
• Proactively intervene to de-escalate conflicts between youth
• Assist with medication administration and ensure accurate documentation as directed by medical providers
• Engage youth in household chores to promote responsibility and community participation
Staff Supervision and Development
• Supervise overnight Youth Support Specialists, providing real-time coaching, guidance, and ethical support
• Manage overnight scheduling, including responding to call-ins and emergencies
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, training, and mentoring new overnight staff
• Facilitate weekly overnight staff meetings and conduct regular one-on-one check-ins
• Collaborate with the Site Manager on staff development needs and performance evaluations
Communication and Documentation
• Complete all required documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• Provide thorough end-of-shift updates to ensure continuity of care
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff regarding goals, expectations, and program needs
• Maintain regular access to work email, including proper setup and use of Multi-Factor Authentication, both on-site and remotely
Qualifications
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and 2–4 years of relevant experience
• Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, particularly youth from culturally diverse and marginalized backgrounds
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, positive youth development, and restorative justice practices
• Supervisory or lead experience preferred
• Lived experience and transferable skills are welcomed and valued
Skills and Competencies
Leadership and Judgment
• Ability to lead, coach, and support staff in high-responsibility situations
• Strong decision-making skills and ethical judgment
• Ability to hold self and others accountable while maintaining a supportive environment
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Strong relationship-building skills with youth and colleagues
• Ability to de-escalate conflict calmly and respectfully
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
Professionalism and Integrity
• Maintains confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
• Demonstrates reliability, accountability, and follow-through
• Models respectful and ethical behavior at all times
Adaptability and Problem-Solving
• Responds flexibly to changing situations and youth needs
• Uses sound judgment to resolve challenges
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and growth
Technical Skills
• Ability to set up and manage work email accounts, including MFA
• Basic computer proficiency for documentation and record-keeping
• Ability to troubleshoot basic account and access issues
Background Check
All employees must successfully pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, twist, and communicate regularly. The employee must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Avenues for Youth is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, veteran status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or any other protected class. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
How to Apply
To learn more and apply, visit avenuesforyouth.org/join-our-team.
Leadership and Overnight Operations
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive overnight environment for youth and staff
• Model trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strengths-based practices
• Promote community and accountability grounded in the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work
• Fill overnight coverage gaps when on-call staff are unavailable to ensure continuous supervision
• Ensure completion of overnight operational tasks, including room checks, answering phones and doors, and shift checklists
• Maintain cleanliness and order throughout the house and assist with deep cleaning and basic maintenance as needed
Youth Engagement and Support
• Build genuine, professional relationships with youth to meet their basic needs in a safe and engaging environment
• Provide one-on-one mentoring, including support with homework, meals, routines, and independent living skills
• Coach youth in developing skills related to housing stability, education, employment, and healthy relationships
• Role model positive social interactions and support constructive conflict resolution
• Proactively intervene to de-escalate conflicts between youth
• Assist with medication administration and ensure accurate documentation as directed by medical providers
• Engage youth in household chores to promote responsibility and community participation
Staff Supervision and Development
• Supervise overnight Youth Support Specialists, providing real-time coaching, guidance, and ethical support
• Manage overnight scheduling, including responding to call-ins and emergencies
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, training, and mentoring new overnight staff
• Facilitate weekly overnight staff meetings and conduct regular one-on-one check-ins
• Collaborate with the Site Manager on staff development needs and performance evaluations
Communication and Documentation
• Complete all required documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• Provide thorough end-of-shift updates to ensure continuity of care
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff regarding goals, expectations, and program needs
• Maintain regular access to work email, including proper setup and use of Multi-Factor Authentication, both on-site and remotely
Qualifications
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and 2–4 years of relevant experience
• Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, particularly youth from culturally diverse and marginalized backgrounds
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, positive youth development, and restorative justice practices
• Supervisory or lead experience preferred
• Lived experience and transferable skills are welcomed and valued
Skills and Competencies
Leadership and Judgment
• Ability to lead, coach, and support staff in high-responsibility situations
• Strong decision-making skills and ethical judgment
• Ability to hold self and others accountable while maintaining a supportive environment
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Strong relationship-building skills with youth and colleagues
• Ability to de-escalate conflict calmly and respectfully
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
Professionalism and Integrity
• Maintains confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
• Demonstrates reliability, accountability, and follow-through
• Models respectful and ethical behavior at all times
Adaptability and Problem-Solving
• Responds flexibly to changing situations and youth needs
• Uses sound judgment to resolve challenges
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and growth
Technical Skills
• Ability to set up and manage work email accounts, including MFA
• Basic computer proficiency for documentation and record-keeping
• Ability to troubleshoot basic account and access issues
Background Check
All employees must successfully pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, twist, and communicate regularly. The employee must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Avenues for Youth is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, veteran status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or any other protected class. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
How to Apply
To learn more and apply, visit avenuesforyouth.org/join-our-team.
Salary : $23 - $24