YOC Youth Advocate – PT (53143)

Join YSS as a Part-Time Youth Advocate at our Youth Opportunity Center in Des Moines, where you'll directly support young adults navigating housing instability and working toward stable, independent futures. This is a hands-on role for someone committed to empowering teens and young adults through crisis support and life-skills coaching.

About This Position

The Youth Advocate position serves young people (ages 16–24) who are experiencing homelessness, are at imminent risk of housing loss, or have recently transitioned into stable housing. At the YOC, you'll serve as a trusted mentor and resource, helping young adults build independence and resilience during critical life stages. This part-time role combines direct supervision with compassionate one-on-one support, creating a safe space where youth can access guidance, develop coping strategies, and take concrete steps toward self-sufficiency.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Provide on-site supervision and monitoring to ensure participant safety and program compliance
• Respond to and de-escalate crisis situations with calm, grounded presence and support
• Teach and model practical life skills including budgeting, job readiness, healthy relationships, and health navigation
• Build trusting relationships through one-on-one check-ins and informal mentoring
• Connect young adults with community resources, case management, and referral services as needed
• Document participant engagement and progress in program records
• Collaborate with YSS team members to foster a supportive, non-judgmental program environment

What We're Looking For

• Genuine passion for supporting young people facing housing and life transitions
• Strong communication skills and ability to connect authentically across differences
• Emotional resilience and ability to navigate crisis situations with composure
• Experience in youth mentoring, social services, case management, or related field—or strong transferable experience
• Problem-solving mindset and creative thinking about barriers youth face
• Reliable, consistent attendance and willingness to embrace flexibility as a part-time team member
• Commitment to trauma-informed, youth-centered practices

More About YSS

YSS is a mission-driven organization dedicated to creating hope and opportunity for young people across Iowa. We work throughout Des Moines and surrounding communities to provide housing, employment support, mental health services, and life-skills programming to teens and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Youth Opportunity Center is a cornerstone of that mission, offering a safe and inclusive space where young people access resources, build community, and chart their own path forward.

Apply Today

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