YSS is looking for a motivated, detail oriented, approachable YSS is looking for a compassionate, adaptable, and relationship-driven Street Outreach Advocate to join our Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) team. In this role, you'll connect with young adults ages 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or recently housed. By building trust, meeting immediate needs, and connecting youth to critical resources, you'll help create pathways toward safety, stability, and independence.. Whether you're providing support at the YOC, in a school, at a shelter, or through street outreach across the Des Moines community, you'll help youth meet their immediate needs, connect with life-changing resources, and take meaningful steps toward a more stable future. What You'll Do... Build trusting relationships with participants while fostering a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment. Conduct street outreach and engage youth where they are, connecting them to support and services. Help participants meet basic needs by coordinating access to food, clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and other essential resources. Connect youth with housing, healthcare, victim services, employment, education, and other community resources through referrals and advocacy. Facilitate individual and group programming focused on life skills, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and healthy decision-making. Complete participant intakes and maintain accurate documentation in ServicePoint. Promote positive connections with peers, supportive adults, and community partners to strengthen each participant's support network. Represent YSS in the community by educating partners and stakeholders about youth homelessness and the services available through Iowa Homeless Youth Centers. This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time. Who You Are... You believe every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported —no matter their circumstances. You're compassionate, adaptable, and able to build trust with youth from all walks of life. You meet people where they are , remain calm in challenging situations, and are passionate about helping young adults find stability, connection, and hope.. What We Provide... We invest in people—because when you thrive, so do the communities we serve. At YSS , you'll find meaningful work, strong support, and benefits designed for real life. Supportive Culture & Work Environment Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees Health & Wellness Benefits Comprehensive health insurance Voluntary dental and vision insurance Life insurance and long-term disability coverage Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA) options Flu shots and mental health support resources Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames Time Off & Work-Life Balance Generous paid time off (4 weeks PTO) Paid holidays, including a birthday holiday Volunteer time off Financial & Retirement Benefits Competitive salary Supplemental compensation award 403(b) retirement savings plan Professional & Career Support Professional liability insurance coverage Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer ng>Street Outreach Advocate to join our Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) team! You will supervise, provide support, and establish rapport with young adults 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless and/or recently housed. As an Advocate, you will ensure the safety and well-being of participants, while assisting them in meeting their basic needs and working towards stability. Participant interactions may be in the YOC, community-based settings, emergency shelters, or schools. Interactions may also be in outdoor locations where young people may be, including on the streets of Des Moines, camping areas, abandoned houses, near railroad tracks, and other areas as identified. The goal is to ensure all basic needs of the participants are met, and that they are provided with a safe, welcoming environment in which to work towards stability.

Additional responsibilities include:

Supervising, supporting, and establishing rapport with program participants, while maintaining an atmosphere of safety and respect. Providing programming to help participants meet their basic needs (food, transportation, clothing, hygiene) such as: increasing participant knowledge of the resources and services available in the community. Ensuring participants are able to access available resources/services making appropriate referrals to safe shelter, appropriate health care services, victim services, etc. enhancing positive community, peer, and adult connectedness. facilitating group learning sessions as needed, such as crisis intervention, including de-escalation, and basic living skills. Completing participant intakes and documenting information in ServicePoint for each participant accessing services. Representing YSS and presenting information related to Iowa Homeless Youth Centers and youth homelessness in the community as needed. Please note that this description is not intended to be a complete list of the responsibilities required for this position. Duties may change at any time, with or without notice. For more about Homeless Youth Services at YSS, please visit https://www.yss.org/program/homeless-youth-services/. We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values

• Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a "Can Do" Spirit . Required Qualifications

• MUST HAVES

  A bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field. OR Three (3) years of experience working directly with homeless or at-risk youth. Preferred Qualifications

•

SHOULD HAVES

Understanding of the needs of youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability and the ability to provide trauma-informed support. Knowledge of the Des Moines community and available resources for youth. Strong communication skills, including active listening, verbal communication, and written documentation. Calm, patient, and professional when responding to challenging situations. Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with youth, teammates, and community partners. The IDEAL Candidate Is dependable, self-motivated, and great at taking initiative Is rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact. Brings humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction. Speaks a second language (especially one spoken in our communities). We Celebrate Your Story... Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can inspire real change . By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Your journey matters . If you're ready to use it to uplift and empower others , we warmly encourage you to apply. Who We Are... We're YSS —one of Iowa's largest and longest-standing nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission is simple but powerful: spark hope, create opportunity, and help young people thrive. From life-changing programs to a new 50-acre recovery campus, we're expanding fast and thinking big. Learn more at yss.org. We value the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer , we're committed to building a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where everyone can grow and succeed. YSS is a nicotine-free workplace. Stay Connected... We communicate with applicants via email

• straight from our Paycom system address: systemmessage@paycomonline.

com . Please check your inbox regularly (and your spam/junk folder just in case). If the message does end up in spam/junk, make sure to add systemmessage@paycomonline.com to your list of safe senders. We may also send you texts if you give us that permission when you apply. Questions? Reach us anytime at yss@yss.org Our Hiring Process

• Here's What to Expect... Apply
• Submit your application at yss.org/ysscareers Assessment
• We review your skills and experience Interview
• Phone, video, or in-person conversation References
• We'll connect with 3+ professional references Screening
• Background check, driving record check, and license verification if required Offer
• If it's a match, you'll receive a formal offer through Paycom