Youth Employment Recovery Coordinator (55320)

YSS•Ames, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

YSS is seeking a Youth Employment Recovery Coordinator to lead program development, foster community partnerships, and provide essential support to youth. This role combines leadership, creativity, and hands-on work to equip young individuals with the skills and opportunities necessary for success. While primarily based at YSS Headquarters in Ames, the Coordinator will regularly travel to the Ember Recovery Campus to engage directly with participants. The position is crucial for launching, strengthening, and sustaining innovative prevention and youth employment programs across the service area. It involves providing leadership and support to prevention staff, collaborating with Ember staff and local community coalitions to develop, promote, and maintain high-quality programming. These specialized programs prioritize youth as active partners, connecting them with community agencies, local businesses, schools, and government throughout the service area. The Coordinator is responsible for supporting the development and promotion of assigned prevention and youth employment initiatives in designated counties, ensuring youth and community members are engaged and supported.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
A minimum of two (2) years of experience in prevention, career services, or related field
Be at least 21 years old (for travel, including transporting clients)
Hold a valid state-issued driver’s license (for travel, including transporting clients)
Maintain a clean driving record (for travel, including transporting clients)
Carry insurance that meets YSS coverage standards (for travel, including transporting clients)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, youth development, or related field
Experience working with youth in employment, prevention, or community programs
Program coordination, staff supervision, or partnership management experience
Strong communication and coaching skills—group facilitation and one-on-one mentoring
Case management, goal-setting, and youth engagement expertise
Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple projects
Committed, empathetic, energetic, and solution-oriented with a sense of humor
Be rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact
Bring humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction
Speaks a language in addition to English (especially one spoken in our communities)
Navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability (lived experience)

Responsibilities

Recruit, educate, and support local businesses and agencies in employing youth
Deliver group-based youth employment curriculum and provide one-on-one career and job readiness support
Provide case management and support youth with goal setting and job placement
Coordinate and implement youth employment and prevention programs in alignment with grant goals and agency plans
Supervise and support Prevention Specialists as assigned
Assist Prevention Staff with organizing, coordinating, and reporting youth employment activities
Support youth leadership and engagement, including public speaking, recognition, and board participation
Assist with prevention events and specialized prevention education in schools and at the Ember Recovery Campus
Collect data, maintain records, and complete required reporting
Participate in community coalitions and partner meetings as assigned