Youth Advocate - Multiple Shifts

Volunteers Of America, Utah • Salt Lake City, UT

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Advocate provides direct support and supervision to youth and young adults ages 15–22 who are experiencing homelessness and accessing the Youth Resource Center (YRC). The role helps create a safe, welcoming, trauma-informed environment while assisting with basic needs, emergency shelter services, resource connections, and daily program routines.

Youth Advocates support the day-to-day operation of the YRC through direct engagement with youth, safety monitoring, crisis response, documentation, and support for shelter and drop-in center operations. They also help maintain a clean, safe, sanitary, and organized facility and collaborate with the YRC team to provide consistent services.

This is an on-site, direct-service position. Employees are assigned to a day, swing, or graveyard shift and must perform the responsibilities associated with that shift. Some shifts include weekends; employees may also be required to work weekends and holidays as program needs require.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with adolescents, young adults, people experiencing homelessness, or other populations experiencing significant barriers or instability.
• Ability to build professional, supportive relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm, use sound judgment, and respond appropriately during conflict, behavioral concerns, emergencies, or crisis situations.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Ability to complete accurate written and electronic documentation and follow program policies, procedures, and supervisory direction.
• Ability and willingness to complete required training, including CPR/First Aid, verbal de-escalation, trauma-informed care, professional boundaries, documentation, and other YRC-required training.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record are required for employees who operate agency vehicles.
• Must pass Utah-DHHS Office of Licensing background screening and pre-employment drug screening, and maintain an eligible/pass determination through Utah DHHS continuous FBI Rap Back monitoring.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Ability to move throughout the facility, stand and walk for extended periods, and engage with clients throughout the shift.
• Ability to complete routine cleaning, restocking, laundry, and other facility-support tasks.
• Ability to work the schedule associated with the assigned day, swing, or graveyard shift, including weekends and holidays as required.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience in youth services, homeless services, behavioral health, residential services, social services, or another related direct-service setting is preferred; relevant education, training, volunteer experience, and work experience may be considered in combination.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support, supervision, and engagement to youth and young adults using trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approaches.
• Assist youth with basic needs, emergency shelter, daily routines, referrals, and connections to YRC and community resources.
• Monitor the facility, complete assigned rounds, identify safety concerns, and respond appropriately to emergencies or crises.
• Use verbal de-escalation and established YRC procedures to address conflict, behavioral concerns, and other challenging situations.
• Support drop-in center and emergency shelter operations, including intake and shelter procedures, programming, and other assigned activities.
• Complete accurate and timely client and program documentation, including shift notes, incident reports, shelter records, and HMIS/UHMIS documentation.
• Communicate relevant client, safety, staffing, and operational information during shift change and to supervisory staff as appropriate.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and respectful interactions with youth, coworkers, volunteers, community partners, and visitors.
• Keep assigned client and staff areas clean, safe, sanitary, and organized, including completing cleaning, laundry, restocking, and other facility-support duties.
• Collaborate with Youth Advocates, Coordinators, case managers, facilities staff, behavioral health staff, and other YRC team members to provide consistent services and continuity between shifts.
• Participate in required staff meetings, supervision, shift-change meetings, training, and professional development activities.
• Maintain punctual, regular, and predictable attendance; arrive ready to begin duties at the scheduled shift start; and follow attendance, call-out, PTO, and coverage procedures.
• Perform responsibilities associated with the assigned day, swing, or graveyard shift and support other shifts when needed based on program and staffing needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support safe and effective operation of the Youth Resource Center.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health savings account with an employer contribution paid quarterly.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% employer match up to 3%.
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees.
• 33 paid days off to start: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days.
• Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more after 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance, with additional coverage available.
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED