What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Employment Recovery Coordinator (54314) position at YSS?
YSS is looking for a Youth Employment Recovery Coordinator who can juggle program development, community partnerships, and youth support—without dropping the mission. This role blends leadership, creativity, and hands-on work to help youth gain the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.
This role is based at YSS Headquarters in Ames, but you’ll regularly hit the road to our Ember Recovery Campus to work directly with our incredible participants and make a real impact.
The Coordinator plays a key role in launching, strengthening, and sustaining innovative prevention and youth employment programs across the service area. This position provides leadership and support to prevention staff while partnering closely with Ember staff and local community coalitions to develop, promote, and maintain high-quality programming.
These specialized prevention programs center youth as active partners—connecting them with community agencies, local businesses, schools, and government throughout the service area. The Coordinator supports the development and promotion of assigned prevention and youth employment efforts within designated counties, ensuring youth and community members are engaged and supported. Key responsibilities include:
Qualifications:
- Recruit, educate, and support local businesses and agencies in employing youth
- Deliver group-based youth employment curriculum and provide one-on-one career and job readiness support
- Provide case management and support youth with goal setting and job placement
- Coordinate and implement youth employment and prevention programs in alignment with grant goals and agency plans
- Supervise and support Prevention Specialists as assigned
- Assist Prevention Staff with organizing, coordinating, and reporting youth employment activities
- Support youth leadership and engagement, including public speaking, recognition, and board participation
- Assist with prevention events and specialized prevention education in schools and at the Ember Recovery Campus
- Collect data, maintain records, and complete required reporting
- Participate in community coalitions and partner meetings as assigned
This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.
What We Provide...
We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future. Beyond the meaningful work, YSS provides the following benefits:
- Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture.
- Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment.
- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive benefits.
- Health insurance
- Voluntary dental insurance
- Voluntary vision insurance
- Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
- Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
- Professional liability insurance coverage
- Flexible spending account/health savings account
- Supplemental compensation award
- Generous Paid Time off and Leave
- Four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
- Volunteer time off
- Paid holiday leave
- Birthday holiday
- Wellness Program Opportunities
- Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames
- Employee Assistance Program for all employees
- Flu shots
- Mental health support
- YSS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
- 403(b) retirement offerings
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 - to qualify, you need:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in prevention, career services, or related field.
- This role involves travel, including transporting clients. To meet YSS insurance requirements, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a valid state-issued driver’s license
- Maintain a clean driving record
- Carry insurance that meets YSS coverage standards
SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, youth development, or related field
- Experience working with youth in employment, prevention, or community programs
- Program coordination, staff supervision, or partnership management experience
- Strong communication and coaching skills—group facilitation and one-on-one mentoring
- Case management, goal-setting, and youth engagement expertise
- Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple projects
- Committed, empathetic, energetic, and solution-oriented with a sense of humor
The IDEAL candidate will:
- 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).
Who You Are...
You’re a connector, motivator, and steady presence for youth, believing they’re leaders and contributors right now—not “someday.” You thrive on building programs, forming community partnerships, and creating opportunities that work in the real world.
You’re comfortable leading groups, coaching one-on-one, and collaborating with partners or coworkers. Organized but flexible, creative but grounded, you balance big-picture thinking with the day-to-day details that keep programs running smoothly.
Driven by purpose, you see challenges as opportunities, value relationships, and amplify youth voice at every turn. You bring empathy, accountability, and a sense of humor to your work, celebrating every skill gained, goal met, and young person empowered.
We celebrate the strength in 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.
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!
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.
Salary : $21