Residential Recovery Intern

YSS • Cambridge, IA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Recovery Intern gains hands-on experience supporting youth in a residential addiction treatment setting at Ember Recovery Campus in Cambridge, Iowa. Working alongside residential recovery staff, the intern learns about recovery support, trauma-informed care, strengths-based approaches, youth engagement, and day-to-day program operations. The role offers opportunities to build professional relationship skills, observe residential services, and explore careers in behavioral health, social work, counseling, and related fields.

The intern helps foster a safe, structured, and welcoming environment where young people can build confidence, develop healthy skills, and work toward lasting change. The schedule is flexible, but the intern must complete at least four hours each week between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.; meeting academic hour requirements is the intern’s responsibility. The internship includes orientation, professional development, required trainings, and regular supervision.

Requirements

• Must be at least 19 years old.
• Must have a general understanding of the issues facing at-risk youth and their families.
• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Must complete at least four hours each week, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., and ensure the hours meet academic requirements.
• Applicants should be compassionate, dependable, interested in behavioral health or a related field, open to feedback, and eager to learn.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred majors include Criminal Justice, Social Work, Human Services, and related fields; all majors are accepted.
• Excellent observational, listening, verbal, and writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Proficiency with most Microsoft Office applications and basic database use.
• Takes initiative, seeks learning opportunities, and effectively manages time and work.
• Compassionate, patient, and empathetic.
• Curious and eager to learn.
• Speaks one or more languages in addition to English.
• Lived experience with recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability is welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Shadow residential recovery staff and learn about addiction treatment, recovery support, and daily program operations.
• Build positive relationships with youth through encouragement, support, and role modeling.
• Assist with resident supervision, daily routines, activities, and skill-building opportunities.
• Participate in recovery-focused groups and learn strategies for coping skills, conflict resolution, and healthy decision-making.
• Support a safe, structured, and welcoming residential environment.
• Assist with transportation, meals, school support, and other program needs.
• Complete documentation, administrative tasks, and other responsibilities that support program operations.
• Participate in orientation, professional development, and required trainings, including Mandatory Reporter and CPR/First Aid.
• Meet regularly with a supervisor for guidance, feedback, and reflection.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED