Youth Specialist - PT

Are you quick on your feet, calm under pressure, and passionate about helping youth find their footing? YSS is looking for a compassionate, dependable Part Time Youth Specialist to join our Mason City crew!

In this role, you’ll work alongside a supportive crew to create a safe, structured, and respectful environment where youth can grow, build confidence, and feel supported. You’ll help guide daily routines, build meaningful connections, lead activities, and support clients through both everyday moments and tougher challenges.

No two days are ever quite the same — and that’s part of what makes this work meaningful. One moment you might be leading a group activity, the next helping a client through a difficult moment, and somewhere in between making a late-night grilled cheese run because suddenly everyone’s hungry. Around here, flexibility, teamwork, and compassion go a long way.

Shifts may include daytime, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours on a rotating schedule. Available shifts include: 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., Sunday through Saturday.

• Supervise and support clients while maintaining a safe, structured, and respectful environment
• Build positive relationships and model healthy communication, boundaries, and life skills
• Lead groups, activities, and daily routines that help clients grow, learn, and stay engaged
• Manage group dynamics and provide calm, effective crisis intervention when needed
• Complete client logs, incident reports, intakes, and other documentation accurately and on time
• Support admissions, referral calls, and team decision-making
• Help maintain a clean, safe facility and assist with meals, safety drills, and daily operations

You stay calm under pressure, lead with empathy, and know how to set clear, consistent boundaries. You connect easily with youth, think on your feet, and handle challenges with confidence and sound judgment. You’re reliable, team-oriented, and driven to do work that makes a real impact.

We invest in people—because when you thrive, so do the communities we serve. At YSS, you’ll find meaningful work, strong support, and benefits designed for real life.

• Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture
• Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees
• Flu shots and mental health support resources
• Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames
• Competitive salary
• Supplemental compensation award
• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer

To create a world where youth are valued and empowered, we ask staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a ’Can Do’ Spirit. We also ask for the following:

MUST HAVES (Required Qualifications)

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with youth or vulnerable populations
• Basic computer skills and comfort learning systems like EMRs
• Travel 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)

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, education, or a related field.
• One year of experience in the management and supervision of adolescents in a residential setting.
• Comfortable stepping into high-stress or unpredictable situations and responding with calm, sound judgment
• Experience leading or facilitating groups, activities, or skill-building sessions (think life skills, social skills, or recreational programming)
• Strong documentation skills—you can capture what happened clearly, accurately, and without writing a novel
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, or behavior management systems (or a willingness to learn fast)
• Experience balancing multiple responsibilities at once—supervising, engaging, documenting, and solving problems on the fly
• Knowledge of community resources and referral processes

SKILLS & ABILITIES That Make You Stand Out

• You stay organized, juggle multiple priorities, and keep work moving—even when deadlines stack up
• You dig into issues, connect the dots, and communicate solutions clearly
• You translate complex financial information into clear, usable insight for others
• You collaborate naturally across teams and departments
• You manage funds and processes with resourcefulness, care, and consistency
• You stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced environment

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Is driven by purpose, equity, inclusion, and meaningful community impact
• Brings humility, cultural awareness, and respect to every interaction
• Is collaborative, dependable, and energized by mission-driven work
• Speaks a language(s) in addition to English.

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.

We’re YSS—one of Iowa’s largest and longest-standing nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission is simple but powerful: spark hope, create opportunity, and help young people thrive.

• From life-changing programs to a new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re expanding fast and thinking big. Learn more at yss.org.
• We value the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we’re committed to building a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where everyone can grow and succeed.
• YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

• Apply – Submit your application at yss.org/ysscareers
• Assessment – We review your skills and experience
• Interview – Phone, video, or in-person conversation
• References – We’ll connect with 3 professional references
• Screening – Background check, driving record check, and license verification if required
• Offer – If it’s a match, you’ll receive a formal offer through Paycom