Team Member Juvenile Justice

The Juvenile Justice Team Member plays a critical role in supporting the PALS (Positive Alternative Learning for Students) program, working directly with youth during short-term suspensions to foster accountability, personal growth, and successful school reintegration. This position is ideal for a mission-driven professional who is passionate about youth development and skilled in building meaningful relationships with diverse populations.

In this role, you will help create a structured, safe, and inclusive environment where students engage in educational activities, social-emotional learning, and goal-setting. You will collaborate with program staff to support daily operations, manage transitions, and respond to dynamic program needs while modeling positive behavior and reinforcing expectations. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth safety, ensuring all interactions align with YMCA values and youth protection standards.

• Thinks, communicates, and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.
• Step in to support staffing needs, including program coverage, transitions, and high-need situations.
• Execute program and transition plans for participating youth to ensure they successfully complete assigned work, have resources in place to return to school, and have the opportunity to receive necessary support during programming and upon exit.
• Ensures that youth understand the procedures and expectations by clearly communicating and enforcing established rules in a positive manner.
• Observes student behaviors and assists with preventative measures to reduce disruption of the program.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with youth participants, offering guidance, redirection, and encouragement in alignment with YMCA values.
• Promote a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants, addressing concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Observe and communicate participant needs, concerns, or incidents to appropriate staff to ensure proper follow-up.
• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with youth, participates in required abuse risk management training, reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors, follows mandated abuse reporting requirements, adheres to job-specific abuse risk management responsibilities.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and viewpoints from all social and economic segments of the organization and community. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism is expected from our staff.

• field; one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.
• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations.
• Must have working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.
• Passionate belief in the Y’s cause of nurturing the potential of all youth, supporting healthy living for all people and finding ways to help and support our neighbors.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and viewpoints from all social and economic segments of the organization and community. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism is expected from our staff.
• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.
• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations.
• YMCA Team Leader certification; if not certified, must obtain certification within 12 months
• CPR, First Aid, AED and O2 certifications must be obtained within 90 days.
• All staff must complete the Y’s safety training through their Kronos checklist and all applicable paperwork in the checklist prior to their first day of work.

The Team Member serves as a supportive resource across Juvenile Justice programs, stepping in where needed to assist youth and staff. By providing guidance, teamwork, and adaptable support, this role helps maintain a positive, welcoming environment throughout all Y programs. The Team Member works across multiple sites and responsibilities, ensuring consistent coverage and helping the YMCA remain a safe, engaging space for all participants.