Youth Care Advocate

Job Description

The Old Colony YMCA Boy's Detention Program is offering a unique opportunity to work directly with justice‑involved youth in a positive‑based residential setting. This is a meaningful, entry‑level position ideal for individuals looking to launch a career in the human services field. This opportunity offers a supportive, team‑oriented environment, hands‑on experience working with youth and extensive training opportunities, including:
Trauma‑Informed Care, De‑escalation Techniques, Positive Youth Development and more.

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field preferred.
• Experience working with youth, especially in a residential, group home, or behavioral health setting.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care or previous training in related approaches.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with youth while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Ability to de‑escalate crises and manage conflict calmly and safely.
• Physically and emotionally able to respond to challenging behaviors.
• Good documentation and basic computer skills (for logging notes, incident reports, etc.).
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Flexibility to work non‑traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or overnights.