What are the responsibilities and job description for the MSW Youth Housing & Outreach Intern (55102) position at YSS?
Meet youth where they are—and help them build where they’re going.
YSS is looking for a compassionate and gregarious MSW Youth Housing & Outreach Intern who is eager to learn and ready to help. This MSW level internship provides advanced training in youth homelessness through housing based programming, drop in center services, and street outreach. The placement is intentionally non clinical and focuses on engagement, stabilization, independent living skill development, crisis response, and systems navigation for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
Interns work within a multidisciplinary, trauma informed model emphasizing relationship based practice and harm reduction. This internship prepares MSW students for careers in youth homelessness, housing services, outreach, and community‑based systems by providing immersive experience in program‑based housing and street‑level engagement, rather than short‑term rental assistance models. Responsibilities for this internship include:
- Transitional Living Program (TLP) – Program Based Housing
- TLP is a duration limited, supervised housing model for youth ages 16–21 who are unable to safely live with family and need structured support to build independence.
- Support youth residing in site based transitional housing for up to 21 months.
- Assist youth with independent living skills including budgeting, employment readiness, education planning, household management, and self advocacy.
- Support structured programming such as life skills groups, community meetings, and goal setting activities.
- Collaborate with case managers to monitor progress toward housing stability and self sufficiency goals.
- Provide consistent, relationship based support and supervision within housing settings.
- Assist with documentation related to services, participation, and outcomes.
- Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) Drop In Services
- Engage youth accessing drop in services using strengths based and trauma informed approaches.
- Support immediate needs including basic necessities, referrals, safety planning, and stabilization.
- Assist with drop in programming, workshops, and informal skill building activities.
- Build report with youth who may be disconnected from formal systems or services.
- Support coordination with housing, education, employment, and behavioral health resources.
- Help maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and youth centered environment.
- Street Outreach Services
- Participate in outreach with trained staff to engage unsheltered youth and young adults.
- Apply harm reduction, trauma informed, and non coercive engagement strategies.
- Assist with outreach preparation, supply distribution, and follow up contacts.
- Support referrals to shelter, housing programs, drop in services, and community resources.
- Document outreach contacts and service connections in accordance with program standards.
This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.
Schedule / Time Commitment
- Business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- This position is responsible for working 15 – 20 hours per week, at least six of which must be during regular business hours.
- Some evening and weekend hours are required.
Supervision and Trainings
- This position is part of the TLP Team and is supervised by the Transitional Housing Program Director.
- You will meet with the program supervisor weekly, or more frequently, as needed.
- You will participate in multidisciplinary team collaboration
- You must attend an YSS 101 orientation to cover YSS policies, plus training on confidentiality, mandated reporting, harm‑reduction, and trauma‑informed care.
- You are welcome to attend any YSS all-staff training sessions, meetings, and events that are available during your internship period.
Learning Outcomes
We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future. By the end of this internship, you will be able to demonstrate advanced competency in engagement, assessment, crisis response, independent living skill development, documentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical practice within youth homelessness services. Additionally, you will:
- Build relationship-based engagement skills using trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches
- Apply nonclinical strategies for stabilization, crisis response, and youth support
- Support independent living skill development (budgeting, employment, education, self-advocacy)
- Navigate and connect youth to housing, education, and community resources
- Demonstrate professional communication, documentation, and ethical practice
What's In It For You
As an intern at YSS, you will have the opportunity to apply your classroom knowledge in a professional work setting and broaden your skills. Whether working on an operations team or directly with youth and families in a specific program, you will have a remarkable impact on the community while gaining valuable experience and building your network. We offer flexible scheduling, a casual dress code, fun coworkers, and we can generally accommodate school credit requirements. (It is your responsibility to make sure that your academic requirements are met.) You will also:
- Grow your understanding of and gain hands-on experience in a nonprofit setting.
- Develop professional skills through training, mentorship, and feedback from experienced staff
- Build and expand your professional network within the nonprofit sector
- Make a meaningful impact while preparing for the next step in your education or career—including potential full-time opportunities!
We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.
MUST HAVES - Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in social work or degree in progress.
- Familiar with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and data entry.
- Possesses general understanding of the issues facing at-risk youth and their families.
- Transporting participants is required for this position. For YSS insurance purposes, you must:
- be 21 years of age,
- have a current, valid, state-issued, driver’s license, and
- have a clean driving record.
SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications
- Excellent observational, listening, verbal, and writing skills and fluency in English.
- Maintains confidentiality and establishes appropriate boundaries.
- Takes initiative and effectively manages one’s own time and work.
- Recognizes the needs of diverse stakeholders.
- Exhibits a positive, team-based approach to treatment and working with clients.
- Patient and empathetic with the ability to relate to diverse populations.
The IDEAL candidate:
- Be rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
- Bring humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
- Speaks a language in addition to English (especially one spoken in our communities).
We Celebrate Your Story
Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Your journey matters. If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others, we warmly encourage you to apply.
Who We Are
We’re YSS - one of Iowa’s oldest & largest nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive. With life-changing programs, an enthusiastic leadership team, and our brand-new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re growing fast and thinking big. Check us out at yss.org!
At YSS, we celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences that each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we’re dedicated to creating a respectful, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can grow and succeed. And we’re always working to do better together.
YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.
The YSS Hiring Process
- Apply - Fill out the online app at yss.org/ysscareers.
- Assessment - We’ll check out your skills and experience.
- Interview - Phone, video, or in-person - we’ll chat and get to know you.
- References - Send us three people who can sing your praises.
- Screening - Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed).
- Offer - If it’s a match, you’ll get a formal offer through Paycom.
Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system. So be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and your spam/junk folder too). Got questions? Email yss@yss.org - we’re happy to help!