Youth Support Advocate

Position Summary:

The Youth Support Advocate (YSA) provides direct care, guidance, and support to children residing in an EEC-funded emergency shelter. Under the direction of Program Leadership, the YSA ensure the safety, well-being, and positive development of children in crisis. This role requires a compassionate, patient, and energetic professional who can engage children in a supportive, structured, and trauma-informed environment.

Schedule:

Sunday, 9 am

• 9 pm Monday, 5 pm
• 1 am Tuesday, 5 pm
• 1 am Wednesday, 5 pm
• 1 am

Compensation:

$20/hour

Key Responsibilities:

Ensure compliance and adherence to KDC, DCF, and EEC regulations, philosophy, and mission statements. Maintain required staff-to-child ratios at all times; staff may not leave a shift unless ratios are met, in accordance with EEC guidelines. If a child requires emergency medical attention, a team member must accompany the child in a KDC vehicle or personal vehicle until relieved by a DCF representative. Welcome new participants to the shelter, conduct program orientation, and complete intake paperwork. Assess individual needs and develop safe, supportive relationships with assigned children. Act as a positive role model, providing guidance, encouragement, and emotional support. Supervise children to ensure safety, security, and adherence to program expectations at all times. Coordinate and encourage activities of daily living (ADLs), including personal care, hygiene, food preparation, household maintenance, and leisure activities. Support the development of social, recreational, and life skills that foster independence and resilience. Manage, audit, and document medication as needed in accordance with agency policy. Conduct exit paperwork and ensure proper documentation at the time of discharge. Maintain accurate records and ensure the confidentiality and protection of each child's information. Attend and actively participate in mandatory staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities required by KDC, EEC and DCF. Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Leadership. Work Schedule & Holiday Requirements This position requires flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. Employees are expected to work scheduled shifts that fall on recognized holidays to ensure consistent care and supervision of children and program operations.

Core Competencies:

Child-Centered Approach:

Demonstrates empathy, patience, and respect for children and their individual needs.

Safety & Supervision:

Maintains constant awareness of participants' safety and well-being.

Communication:

Effectively communicates with children, DCF representatives, and team members in a clear and professional manner.

Teamwork:

Collaborates with colleagues to ensure consistency and continuity of care.

Adaptability:

Remains calm, flexible, and effective in crisis or high-stress situations.

Cultural Competence:

Values diversity and demonstrates sensitivity to various cultural, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds.

Professionalism:

Upholds confidentiality, ethical standards, and agency values at all times.

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of 1 year working with children in residential, emergency, or foster care settings, or related experience with vulnerable youth. Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and positive behavior support. Strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency or crisis situations. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Ability to successfully complete mandatory trainings such as CPR and First Aid and SafetyCare. Successful completion of EEC-required background checks and clearances.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field. Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Experience working with children in the child welfare system. Experience in conflict resolution, restorative practices, or de-escalation techniques. Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies. Bilingual skills are a plus.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

Mobility & Activity:

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, pivoting, kneeling, and participating in recreational or program activities with children and teens. Ability to move quickly when necessary to ensure safety and maintain supervision in all areas of the shelter.

Lifting & Carrying:

Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds, such as program supplies, household materials, or assist a child in an emergency.

Safety & Supervision:

Must maintain a high level of awareness and respond appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of children in all settings. Youth Support Advocates are not authorized or expected to use physical restraint or provide hands-on physical intervention. Staff rely on verbal de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and crisis prevention strategies to maintain safety and stability.

Certifications & Training Maintenance:

Ability to physically complete and continue to maintain required certifications, including CPR, First Aid, and SafetyCare or other agency-mandated safety and crisis intervention training.

Household & Environmental Maintenance:

Participate in routine cleaning and organization of program spaces, including laundry, sanitizing surfaces, and maintaining common areas. Support upkeep of outdoor spaces by ensuring safe walkways, and performing seasonal maintenance such as shoveling snow, applying salt or sand, and clearing entryways during winter months.

Environmental Conditions:

Work occurs in a "24/7 residential setting" with both indoor and outdoor responsibilities. Exposure to varied temperatures, light rain, snow, or other weather conditions may occur during commuting to and from the assigned location.

Fine Motor Skills & Dexterity:

Adequate hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity for activities such as meal preparation, arts and crafts, operating household tools or recreational equipment, and using computers and mobile devices for documentation.

Vision & Hearing:

Sufficient visual and auditory acuity, with or without corrective devices, to observe youth behavior, monitor environments for safety, and communicate effectively with children and team members.

Communication:

Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage positively with children, colleagues, and external partners while maintaining a professional and calm demeanor in stressful situations.

Noise Level:

Often moderate to high due to group activities and active children.

Emotional Demands:

Frequent exposure to emotionally charged or crisis situations related to the effects of trauma, grief, or instability. Requires emotional resilience, empathy, patience, and the ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure. Youth Support Advocate 3.2 3.2 out of 5 stars 25 Foxwood Lane, Uxbridge, MA 01569 $20 an hour

• Full-time Kennedy-Donovan Center 89 reviews $20 an hour

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Full-time Position Summary:

The Youth Support Advocate (YSA) provides direct care, guidance, and support to children residing in an EEC-funded emergency shelter. Under the direction of Program Leadership, the YSA ensure the safety, well-being, and positive development of children in crisis. This role requires a compassionate, patient, and energetic professional who can engage children in a supportive, structured, and trauma-informed environment.

Schedule:

Sunday, 9 am

• 9 pm Monday, 5 pm
• 1 am Tuesday, 5 pm
• 1 am Wednesday, 5 pm
• 1 am

Compensation:

$20/hour

Key Responsibilities:

Ensure compliance and adherence to KDC, DCF, and EEC regulations, philosophy, and mission statements. Maintain required staff-to-child ratios at all times; staff may not leave a shift unless ratios are met, in accordance with EEC guidelines. If a child requires emergency medical attention, a team member must accompany the child in a KDC vehicle or personal vehicle until relieved by a DCF representative. Welcome new participants to the shelter, conduct program orientation, and complete intake paperwork. Assess individual needs and develop safe, supportive relationships with assigned children. Act as a positive role model, providing guidance, encouragement, and emotional support. Supervise children to ensure safety, security, and adherence to program expectations at all times. Coordinate and encourage activities of daily living (ADLs), including personal care, hygiene, food preparation, household maintenance, and leisure activities. Support the development of social, recreational, and life skills that foster independence and resilience. Manage, audit, and document medication as needed in accordance with agency policy. Conduct exit paperwork and ensure proper documentation at the time of discharge. Maintain accurate records and ensure the confidentiality and protection of each child's information. Attend and actively participate in mandatory staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities required by KDC, EEC and DCF. Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Leadership. Work Schedule & Holiday Requirements This position requires flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. Employees are expected to work scheduled shifts that fall on recognized holidays to ensure consistent care and supervision of children and program operations.

Core Competencies:

Child-Centered Approach:

Demonstrates empathy, patience, and respect for children and their individual needs.

Safety & Supervision:

Maintains constant awareness of participants' safety and well-being.

Communication:

Effectively communicates with children, DCF representatives, and team members in a clear and professional manner.

Teamwork:

Collaborates with colleagues to ensure consistency and continuity of care.

Adaptability:

Remains calm, flexible, and effective in crisis or high-stress situations.

Cultural Competence:

Values diversity and demonstrates sensitivity to various cultural, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds.

Professionalism:

Upholds confidentiality, ethical standards, and agency values at all times.

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of 1 year working with children in residential, emergency, or foster care settings, or related experience with vulnerable youth. Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and positive behavior support. Strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency or crisis situations. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Ability to successfully complete mandatory trainings such as CPR and First Aid and SafetyCare. Successful completion of EEC-required background checks and clearances.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field. Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Experience working with children in the child welfare system. Experience in conflict resolution, restorative practices, or de-escalation techniques. Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies. Bilingual skills are a plus.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

Mobility & Activity:

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, pivoting, kneeling, and participating in recreational or program activities with children and teens. Ability to move quickly when necessary to ensure safety and maintain supervision in all areas of the shelter.

Lifting & Carrying:

Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds, such as program supplies, household materials, or assist a child in an emergency.

Safety & Supervision:

Must maintain a high level of awareness and respond appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of children in all settings. Youth Support Advocates are not authorized or expected to use physical restraint or provide hands-on physical intervention. Staff rely on verbal de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and crisis prevention strategies to maintain safety and stability.

Certifications & Training Maintenance:

Ability to physically complete and continue to maintain required certifications, including CPR, First Aid, and SafetyCare or other agency-mandated safety and crisis intervention training.

Household & Environmental Maintenance:

Participate in routine cleaning and organization of program spaces, including laundry, sanitizing surfaces, and maintaining common areas. Support upkeep of outdoor spaces by ensuring safe walkways, and performing seasonal maintenance such as shoveling snow, applying salt or sand, and clearing entryways during winter months.

Environmental Conditions:

Work occurs in a "24/7 residential setting" with both indoor and outdoor responsibilities. Exposure to varied temperatures, light rain, snow, or other weather conditions may occur during commuting to and from the assigned location.

Fine Motor Skills & Dexterity:

Adequate hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity for activities such as meal preparation, arts and crafts, operating household tools or recreational equipment, and using computers and mobile devices for documentation.

Vision & Hearing:

Sufficient visual and auditory acuity, with or without corrective devices, to observe youth behavior, monitor environments for safety, and communicate effectively with children and team members.

Communication:

Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage positively with children, colleagues, and external partners while maintaining a professional and calm demeanor in stressful situations.

Noise Level:

Often moderate to high due to group activities and active children.

Emotional Demands:

Frequent exposure to emotionally charged or crisis situations related to the effects of trauma, grief, or instability. Requires emotional resilience, empathy, patience, and the ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure.