Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist

Avenues for Youth • Minneapolis, MN

2d

About The Position

The Lead Overnight Youth Support Specialist provides leadership and oversight for overnight operations, ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive engagement of youth residents. This role combines direct youth support with staff supervision, coaching, and operational responsibilities to ensure overnight shifts run smoothly and align with Avenues for Youth’s mission and values. All work is grounded in the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work and uses trauma-informed, strengths-based, and harm-reduction approaches to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for youth and staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and 2–4 years of relevant experience
• Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, particularly youth from culturally diverse and marginalized backgrounds
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, positive youth development, and restorative justice practices
• Ability to lead, coach, and support staff in high-responsibility situations
• Strong decision-making skills and ethical judgment
• Strong relationship-building skills with youth and colleagues
• Ability to de-escalate conflict calmly and respectfully
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Maintains confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
• Demonstrates reliability, accountability, and follow-through
• Models respectful and ethical behavior at all times
• Responds flexibly to changing situations and youth needs
• Uses sound judgment to resolve challenges
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and growth
• Ability to set up and manage work email accounts, including MFA
• Basic computer proficiency for documentation and record-keeping
• Ability to troubleshoot basic account and access issues
• All employees must successfully pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study
• The position requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, twist, and communicate regularly.
• The employee must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory or lead experience preferred
• Lived experience and transferable skills are welcomed and valued

Responsibilities

• Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive overnight environment for youth and staff
• Model trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strengths-based practices
• Promote community and accountability grounded in the Nine Guiding Principles of Youth Work
• Fill overnight coverage gaps when on-call staff are unavailable to ensure continuous supervision
• Ensure completion of overnight operational tasks, including room checks, answering phones and doors, and shift checklists
• Maintain cleanliness and order throughout the house and assist with deep cleaning and basic maintenance as needed
• Build genuine, professional relationships with youth to meet their basic needs in a safe and engaging environment
• Provide one-on-one mentoring, including support with homework, meals, routines, and independent living skills
• Coach youth in developing skills related to housing stability, education, employment, and healthy relationships
• Role model positive social interactions and support constructive conflict resolution
• Proactively intervene to de-escalate conflicts between youth
• Assist with medication administration and ensure accurate documentation as directed by medical providers
• Engage youth in household chores to promote responsibility and community participation
• Supervise overnight Youth Support Specialists, providing real-time coaching, guidance, and ethical support
• Manage overnight scheduling, including responding to call-ins and emergencies
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, training, and mentoring new overnight staff
• Facilitate weekly overnight staff meetings and conduct regular one-on-one check-ins
• Collaborate with the Site Manager on staff development needs and performance evaluations
• Complete all required documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• Provide thorough end-of-shift updates to ensure continuity of care
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff regarding goals, expectations, and program needs
• Maintain regular access to work email, including proper setup and use of Multi-Factor Authentication, both on-site and remotely

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees