Lead YOC Youth Advocate (56288)

The Lead Advocate provides hands-on support and leadership within the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) helping create a safe welcoming and stable environment for young adults ages 1624 experiencing homelessness at risk of homelessness or transitioning into housing. This role spends approximately 75% of its time supporting YOC operations and participants and 25% providing community-based support through the Rapid Rehousing program.

As a key member of the YOC team the Lead Advocate serves as a day-to-day resource and leader for Peer Advocates helping coordinate schedules support staff development reinforce program expectations and ensure YOC services operate smoothly and consistently. The Lead Advocate also provides direct participant support including crisis intervention basic needs assistance independent living skills and connections to community resources.

Through both hands-on advocacy and staff leadership this role helps ensure young adults have the support stability and practical tools they need to move toward housing stability self-sufficiency and a stronger future.

What Youll Do...

Support Youth & Deliver Programs

• Conduct intakes orient new participants to YOC services and provide information about available programs and resources.
• Build trusting supportive relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries and consistently reinforcing program expectations.
• Monitor participant activities and provide support with daily routines including chores laundry personal hygiene and other independent living skills.
• Help youth meet immediate basic needs such as food clothing bedding hygiene supplies laundry and personal safety.
• Provide crisis intervention problem-solving advocacy and connections to community resources.
• Teach practical life skills that support independent living including cooking grocery shopping cleaning managing a household setting up utilities and mail service being a good neighbor and understanding lease responsibilities.
• Support emergency bed drop-in and other YOC programming to ensure services are coordinated and responsive to participant needs.
• Assist with weekly meal planning and meal program delivery.
• Provide transportation when needed to support participant safety and case plan goals.

Lead & Support the YOC Team

• Serve as a leadership resource for Peer Advocates and assist the YOC Program Manager with day-to-day staff coordination.
• Help organize staff meetings schedules training activities and program responsibilities.
• Support the YOC Program Manager in holding Peer Advocates accountable to their responsibilities and program expectations.
• Assist with onboarding training and sharing program information with YOC staff.
• Help ensure YOC programs operate consistently and work together effectively.
• Assist with monitoring and maintaining accurate program data and documentation in ServicePoint.

Support Rapid Rehousing Participants

• Help participants access community resources and transition successfully into housing.
• Assist with apartment move-ins including transportation accessing household resources and connecting participants with needed supplies.
• Conduct proactive home visits at least twice monthly to provide support advocacy problem-solving resource connection and encouragement toward housing stability and self-sufficiency.
• Teach independent living skills that promote successful tenancy and long-term stability.
• Complete monthly maintenance checks of program apartments.
• Assist with cleaning and preparing apartments when a participant leaves the program.
• Maintain communication with landlords and community partners as needed.
• Participate in the annual Rapid Rehousing landlord appreciation event.

Maintain a Safe Welcoming Environment

• Monitor participant safety and maintain a clean organized and respectful facility.
• Secure pocket knives potential weapons or other prohibited items in accordance with program policy.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and notify the Program Manager or on-call staff of significant incidents or safety concerns.
• Clean and prepare vacated rooms including securing personal belongings laundering bedding and sanitizing the space.
• Monitor and maintain inventory of food household supplies and personal care items.
• Maintain communication with referral partners regarding program availability and vacancies.

Documentation & Communication

• Complete intakes service entries case notes shift reports incident reports and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Enter and maintain participant information in ServicePoint and assist the Program Manager with ensuring accurate staff documentation.
• Maintain waitlist and referral information as needed.
• Provide timely communication to team members regarding participant needs concerns progress and significant events.
• Participate in team meetings staff meetings supervision and required trainings.
• Work at least one weekend shift as part of the regular schedule.

This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.

Who You Are...

Youre a compassionate confident leader who knows how to build strong teams and create a safe supportive environment where youth and staff can thrive. You lead with integrity communicate openly stay organized under pressure and are committed to delivering trauma-informed high-quality care every day.

What We Provide...

We invest in peoplebecause when you thrive so do the communities we serve. At YSS youll 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

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

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:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of full-time human services experience including experience supporting youth or young adults experiencing homelessness housing instability or other significant challenges.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care crisis intervention harm reduction housing stability and community resources.
• Strong communication critical thinking problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to build trusting relationships maintain healthy boundaries and work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure exercise sound judgment and respond appropriately to behavioral or safety concerns.
• Ability to provide day-to-day leadership guidance and support to peers while fostering a positive collaborative team environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities coordinate resources and maintain accurate and timely documentation.

Preferred Qualifications- SHOULD HAVES:

• Bachelors degree in a related field.
• Experience with motivational interviewing counseling or child and adolescent development.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience mentoring training or providing peer leadership.
• Experience providing peer leadership mentoring training or staff support.
• Experience with motivational interviewing counseling or child and adolescent development.
• Familiarity with housing programs independent living skills or supporting successful tenancy.

TheIDEALCandidate

• 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 instabilityYour 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 youre ready to use it to uplift and empower others we warmly encourage you to apply.

Who We Are...

Were YSSone of Iowas 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 were expanding fast and thinking big. Learn more at .
• We value the unique backgrounds identities and experiences each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer were 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 viaemail- straight from our Paycom system address: .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 to your list of safe may also send you texts if you give us that permission when you apply. Questions Reach us anytime at

Our Hiring Process - Heres What to Expect...

• Apply Submit your application at We review your skills and experience
• Interview Phone video or in-person conversation
• References Well connect with 3 professional references
• Screening Background check driving record check and license verification if required
• Offer If its a match youll receive a formal offer through Paycom