Youth and Family Support Worker

Wayside • Lowell, MA

2d

About The Position

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is hiring community-based Youth & Family Support Workers at its Lowell site to connect with youth in behavioral health. The organization describes a supportive, team-focused culture that values healthy work dynamics.

The role provides culturally informed therapeutic interventions to children, young adults, and their families. Services promote skill building in social functioning, symptom management, coping skills, and activities of daily living. Workers collaborate with team members to support continuity of treatment, services, and communication. They provide mentoring, counseling, and skill-building, as well as transportation, referrals, and help accessing concrete services such as furniture and food. Workers also advocate for families and attend meetings with them as requested by the youth and/or family.

Training is provided in Motivational Interviewing, Courageous Conversations, Trauma Informed Practice, and the Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC). Driving in the community is required; workers must have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.

Requirements

• High school diploma and at least 5 years of experience working directly with children, young adults, and/or families; or an associate degree in Social Work or a related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field and at least 1 year of direct relevant experience.
• Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess and manage risk.
• Flexibility, creative thinking, and ability to adapt.
• Ability to connect with people.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally informed therapeutic interventions to children, young adults, and their families.
• Promote skill building in social functioning, symptom management, coping skills, and activities of daily living.
• Collaborate with team members to support continuity in treatment, services, and messages delivered.
• Provide mentoring, counseling, and skill-building services to identified clients.
• Provide transportation and referrals, and help clients access concrete services such as furniture and food.
• Advocate for families and attend meetings with them as requested by the youth and/or family.
• Drive in the community as required.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus, with half paid after 6 months of employment and half after 1 year; prorated for part-time.

What This Job Offers

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