Recovery Advocate (56164)

AtYSSwe know that recovery continues beyond treatment. As a Recovery Advocateon our Ember Recovery Campus in Cambridge youll walk alongside youth throughout their recovery journey helping them build the skills confidence and support system they need to thrive.

Youll serve as a trusted mentor advocate and coordinator helping participants navigate daily life achieve personal goals connect with community resources and prepare for life beyond residential treatment. From welcoming new participants on their first day to checking in months after discharge youll play a vital role in helping each young person build a foundation for lasting recovery.

As a Recovery Advocate youll be one of the most consistent and influential people in a participants recovery journey. Youll help youth build life skills navigate challenges access resources and prepare for life beyond treatmentall while creating a safe supportive environment where lasting change can happen.

What Youll Do...

Support Daily Success

• Build supportive therapeutic relationships with youth while providing encouragement structure and accountability.
• Create a safe welcoming and positive living environment where participants can grow and succeed.
• Help participants develop independent living skills healthy routines and personal responsibility.
• Ensure participants basic needs are met including hygiene clothing nutrition and overall well-being.
• Administer medications and accurately document care as required.
• Plan meaningful activities celebrations and community-building events that create a sense of belonging.

Advocate for Growth

• Complete assessments to identify education employment life skills and support needs.
• Connect participants with community resources supports and opportunities that promote long-term success.
• Provide ongoing case management while encouraging youth to take ownership of their recovery goals.
• Collaborate with therapists families schools and community partners to coordinate services and remove barriers.
• Supervise mentors and 12-Step contacts to strengthen each participants recovery network.

Guide the Journey

• Welcome new participants by preparing living spaces completing orientations and helping them feel safe and supported from day one.
• Complete admission responsibilities including inventories searches documentation and crisis prevention planning.
• Develop individualized transition plans with participants families therapists and schools to support a successful return home.
• Complete discharge planning and documentation while ensuring participants leave with the resources they need.
• Stay connected after discharge through follow-up contacts that provide encouragement accountability and continued support.

Work as One Team

• Partner with residential leadership and the treatment team to ensure high-quality coordinated care.
• Share timely updates on participant progress concerns and significant changes.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to support crisis response and participant trusting relationships that help youth develop confidence independence and self-sufficiency.

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

Who You Are...

Youre a compassionate mentor skilled advocate and steady source of support. You believe every young person deserves someone in their corner and enjoy helping youth build the confidence life skills and connections they need to create a brighter future.

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
• 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

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:

• Bachelors degree in Human Services or a related field.
• Two years of experience in human services behavioral health youth services or a related field.
• A minimum of two years of continuous sobriety.
• Youll be driving a YSS vehicle so we need you to:
  • Be at least 21
  • Have a valid drivers license anda clean driving record
  • Carry insurance that meets YSS standards

Preferred Qualifications- SHOULD HAVES:

• Builds trust and meaningful relationships.
• Strong advocacy and case management skills.
• Calm under pressure with sound problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communicator and collaborative team player.
• Organized with strong time management and follow-through.
• Experience working with youth and families.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
• Maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Comfortable with EMRs and accurate documentation.
• Passion for helping youth build healthy independent futures.
• Committed to continuous learning and growth ason-going continued education will be required.

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