Youth Advocate

Youth Advocate Ryan's House for Youth -

Coupeville, WA Posted:

5/8/2026 -

Expires:

6/12/2026

Job ID:

293401333 Job Description Youth Advocate — Lived Experience Valued, Degree Not Required Ryan's House for Youth is hiring a few Youth Advocates to support young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Island County. Positions available are evening, day (includes weekends), and a flexible (guaranteed hours days and shift rotate) A degree is not required. Formal human services experience is not required. Lived experience matters here. We encourage people to apply who have personal experience with homelessness, recovery, foster care, behavioral health challenges, poverty, systems involvement, parenting young, justice involvement, or rebuilding after hard life experiences. We know many strong candidates may not see themselves as "qualified" for traditional human services jobs. If you care about young people, can stay calm under pressure, can follow expectations, and are willing to learn, we want to hear from you. People with past justice involvement are welcome to apply. Background checks are part of the hiring process, but a record does not automatically disqualify someone. RHFY reviews each situation individually based on the role, timing, circumstances, and safety requirements. About our team culture RHFY is building a team culture where staff support each other, communicate clearly, and work from shared expectations. This is not a "do your own thing" job. Youth Advocates are part of a team that relies on passdown, documentation, follow-through, and honest communication so youth receive consistent support across shifts. We value lived experience, and we also expect staff to use that experience in a grounded, professional way. The goal is not to rescue youth or control them. The goal is to build trust, hold healthy boundaries, and support young people as they work toward their own goals. We are looking for people who can be flexible, accountable, and open to growth. The work changes day to day. Youth needs change. Priorities change. Staff need to be able to adjust, ask questions, receive feedback, and stay connected to the team even when the day is hard. About the role Youth Advocates support young adults in a 24/7 housing and shelter environment. This role includes relationship-building, documentation, shift tasks, safety checks, cleaning, passdown communication, conflict de-escalation, and helping young people work toward their own goals. This is direct service work. It is meaningful, and it can also be hard. Staff need to be reliable, calm, accountable, respectful, and able to follow program expectations while treating young people with dignity. We work as a team. That means staff are expected to communicate with each other, share important information, follow through on assigned tasks, and avoid blaming other shifts, leadership, or youth when something is difficult. We focus on solutions, consistency, and doing the next right thing. This may be a good fit if you: Have lived experience or strong personal connection to homelessness, recovery, foster care, behavioral health, poverty, disability, systems involvement, or justice involvement. Believe young people deserve respect, structure, honesty, and second chances. Can build trust with young people without trying to "save" them. Can hold boundaries respectfully. Can work as part of a team, not just as an individual staff member on shift. Can communicate when something is unclear, difficult, or not working. Can be flexible when plans change or the shift does not go as expected. Can follow program expectations even when situations are emotional or difficult. Can write notes about what happened during a shift. Can stay calm when youth are upset, frustrated, or testing limits. Are willing to learn, ask questions, receive feedback, and grow. This may not be the right fit if you: Want a job that is only mentoring or hanging out with youth. Prefer to work independently without regular team communication. Struggle when plans or procedures change quickly. Have a hard time receiving feedback or adjusting your approach. Are not comfortable with documentation, cleaning, safety checks, passdown, or routine shelter operations. Take youth behavior personally. Struggle with professional boundaries. Have difficulty following shared team expectations. Are not able to stay calm during conflict.

Main duties include:

Build respectful, professional relationships with youth and young adults. Support youth in working toward their goals. Complete documentation, passdown notes, and basic data tracking. Help maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. Support daily routines, house expectations, and program rules. Respond to conflict using calm communication and de-escalation. Communicate concerns clearly to the team and leadership. Follow confidentiality, safety, and mandated reporting expectations. Participate in training and team meetings.

Minimum requirements:

Must be at least 21 years old. Must be reliable and able to arrive for scheduled shifts. Must be flexible and able to adjust when plans, youth needs, schedules, or priorities change. Must be able to stay calm and professional when the workday does not go as expected. Must be able to work as part of a team and communicate clearly with coworkers and leadership. Must be willing to ask questions, receive feedback, and keep learning. Must be able to follow written procedures and shared program expectations. Must be able to complete basic written documentation. Must be willing to work with youth and young adults ages 17-24. Must complete required background check review. Preferred, not required: Lived experience with homelessness, recovery, foster care, behavioral health, poverty, disability, systems involvement, justice involvement, or other relevant life experience. Experience supporting youth, young adults, families, or people in crisis. Experience in shelter, outreach, peer support, recovery, behavioral health, education, caregiving, or community work. Job Summary Company Details Company Ryan's House for Youth Industry Temporary Shelters Contact method Contact Info Job Information Location Coupeville, WA Website https://www.ryanshouseforyouth.org Job Type Full Time Employee Career Level Entry level Education Level High School or equivalent Job Position 3 Position(s) Open Salary/Wage $21.00 - $23.00 /hour Duration Over 150 Days Additional Information Age Requirement 21 Insurance Testing Required Background checks Federal Contractor No Affirmative Action Plan No