Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Skip to job details
LS
Lake Superior YMCA
Youth Social Competency Skill Builder
Career Insights for Youth Counselor / Worker
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on Minnesota data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
A Youth Counselor or Worker works with young people, primarily ages 13-18, to provide mentoring and support for dealing with problems. Works in a school or community-based program; may assist with referrals from parole or probation offices. Collaborates with teachers, family members, social workers and health care professionals to help young people facing challenges or crises.
$45,412 / year median in Minnesota
+12% projected growth
Job Description
Position Title:
Youth Development AmeriCorps Member Reports To:
True North AmeriCorps Staff and Site Supervisor Start Dates:
September 8 or October 16, 2026End Dates:
June 10 or August 27, 2027Position Sizes:
Average 35 hours/weekHours:
M-F 8am - 3pmLINK TO OFFICIALLY APPLY
: https://www.lakesuperiorymca.org/true-north-americorpsPOSITION SUMMARY
The Y's True North AmeriCorps (TNAC) program is dedicated to enhancing long term education equity outcomes by increasing K-8th grade students' interpersonal skills and social competencies. TNAC members facilitate weekly interventions including positive relationship building, academic enrichment, and individualized skill building with identified students at their site. By engaging positive adults as mentors to provide interventions for youth with unmet needs, the program will improve participants' interpersonal skills, social competencies, attitude towards learning, and resiliency; ultimately increasing their likelihood to graduate high school on time. This is an AmeriCorps member position.DESCRIPTION OF SITE
At the heart of our school is a strong commitment to knowing every student, supporting the whole child, and building a culture where all learners feel seen, valued, and capable of success. As a small K-12 school in northern Minnesota, we pride ourselves on strong relationships, community connection, and a shared mission to prepare students for their future while honoring the unique strengths they bring. Our students benefit from a close-knit environment, but like many schools, they face growing academic, behavior, and social challenges. This TNAC position is unique because it offers the opportunity to make a direct daily impact through individualized student support, meaningful relationship-building, and targeted interventions that strengthen student success both in and beyond the classroom.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Coordinates and delivers formal and informal activities, lessons, and "teachable moments" to build targeted interpersonal skills for identified youth
- Regularly tracks caseload attendance and interventions completed with program participants
- Completes observational surveys and other data collection with fidelity, reviews results with site supervisors to develop and implement intervention plans and goals
- Follows procedures to maintain accurate and timely AmeriCorps-specific data entry
- Assists site staff with planned enrichment programming in ways that do not duplicate or displace staff or volunteer duties
- Builds positive developmentally appropriate relationships with youth at site
- Maintains safe and respectful environment for students
- Meaningfully participates in and leads efforts to support the Y's commitment to serving the whole community
- Develops and implements a project to engage youth in service learning and leadership, documenting impact including volunteers engaged
- Communicates regularly and effectively with True North staff, Site Supervisor, and other site personnel via phone, email, online systems, and verbal interactions
- Participates in all required True North AmeriCorps meetings and trainings
- Serves as an ambassador of the program by submitting Great Stories and participating in outreach and recruitment activities
BENEFITS
- Monthly Living Allowance of up to $2,800 pre-tax dependent upon position size
- Education Award up to $5,176.50, dependent upon successful completion of the term
- Student Loan Forbearance and Interest Repayment
- Free Family YMCA Membership
- Free and subsidized YMCA National Trainings
- Free Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (full time only)
- Child Care Assistance (qualifying full time only)
- Ongoing Professional Career Development
AMERICORPS ELIGIBILITY
- 18 years or older at start of service term
- High school graduate with diploma or GED
- U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States
- Complete and successfully pass the National Criminal History Check
- Served less than 4 terms have received less than 2 full education awards, whichever comes later.
- Committed to completing the entire term of service
QUALIFICATIONS
Required- Experience volunteering or working with youth
- Professionalism in a variety of settings including schools and afterschool programs
- Computer skills including effective use of email, word processing skills, information entry into spreadsheets, and the ability to learn new technology systems
- Strong written and oral communication skills effective with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life
- Effectively manage a variety of tasks, deadlines, priorities, and people
- Commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and self-confidence to inspire future success for all of our neighborhood youth
- Basic CPR/AED and First Aid for adults, children, and infants. Training will be provided and paid for by the program upon start. Must be obtained within 60 days Preferred
- Training or education in education, social work, human services, recreation, mental health, trauma-informed care, healing-centered care, youth development
- Demonstrates strong self-awareness and emotional maturity
- Accepts and celebrates cultural differences
- Calm, flexible, positive attitude
TYPICAL SERVICE ENVIRONMENT
- Noisy with many youth, demanding attention in a classroom or large program space
- May include a combination of inside computer/planning work in a shared office or cubicle and outside program facilitation in all weather conditions
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Visual and auditory ability to observe and respond to participant behavior, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
- Physical ability to respond to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist youth in an emergency including lifting up to 50 pounds (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury). Possess strength and endurance to maintain constant supervision of youth.
- Ability to drive and be insured for driving a YMCA or Site vehicle dependent on site.
- Member should be comfortable being physically active and spending time both indoors and outdoors.