Youth Advocate (FT)

180 Degrees, Inc.; Rochester (MN); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on Bonus

PTO and sick time

Life, STD, LTD

EAP

401K match

12 paid holidays

Job summary

180 Degrees, Inc. in Rochester, MN, seeks a Youth Advocate (FT) to support homeless youth in our Rochester Youth Shelter. The role emphasizes safety, relationship-building, trauma-informed care, and collaboration with a team of case managers to help youth stabilize and move forward.

Youth Advocates provide daily living support, de-escalation, activity planning, and health-related assistance while upholding professional boundaries and confidentiality in a fast-paced, on-site setting.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance; ability to drive company vehicle.
• Ability to pass a criminal background study.
• Experience working with youth preferred.
• Must lift, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and use stairs.
• Must walk regularly and ascend/descend stairs to conduct safety checks.
• Lifting and physical requirements for kitchen and meal prep duties.
• Cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to build rapport with youth while maintaining boundaries.
• De-escalation, crisis response, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong observational and communication skills.
• Basic food preparation skills.
• Basic computer skills for electronic documentation.

Responsibilities

• Be a stabilizing, trustworthy presence for youth navigating trauma and instability.
• Build genuine relationships to help youth feel seen, safe, and supported.
• Manage day-to-day shelter rhythm: milieu management and structure.
• De-escalate calmly when emotions escalate.
• Assist with daily living needs to support healing.
• Support medication management and health needs adherence.
• Collaborate with Youth Advocates, case managers, and staff for a consistent experience.
• Support case management goals and maintain documentation with direct youth impact.

Skills

De-escalation skills

Crisis response

Conflict resolution

Observational skills

Communication skills

Cultural competence

Rapport building

Boundaries

multitasking

Basic computer skills

Basic food preparation

Experience with youth

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Youth Advocate (FT)

Full Time Non-Management Rochester Youth Shelter, Rochester, MN, US

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1534

Salary Range: $21.50 To $22.00 Hourly

Sign on Bonus: Sign on Bonus of $600 (Half paid out at 3 months and the other half at 12 months) for eligible employees.

• Sign on Bonus of $600 (Half paid out at 3 months and other half at 12 months).
• Paid time off (PTO) starting at 18 days annually for benefit eligible employees; sick and safe time for non-benefit eligible employees
• Life, STD, LTD
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401K company match up to 4%
• 12 paid company holidays

Position Description:

Youth Advocate: Be the steady presence a young person needs at Rochester Youth Shelter.

180 Degrees believes every young person deserves a safe place to land, no matter what brought them to our door. Our emergency youth shelters provide shelter and stabilization for those 12–19 facing homelessness, family conflict, exploitation, or involvement with child welfare, probation, or law enforcement. For many of these youth, our program is the first stable, structured environment they've had in a long time. Our team is what makes that possible.

As a Youth Advocate, you're the heartbeat of our shelter program, the consistent, caring adult who shows up every shift and makes safety feel real. You're not behind a desk. You're in the milieu, building trust, modeling life skills, de-escalating tough moments, and reminding teens in crisis that someone's got their back, all while working alongside a full team of case managers and support staff dedicated to helping youth stabilize, heal, and move forward.

What you'll actually do:

• Be a stabilizing, trustworthy presence for youth navigating trauma, instability, and uncertainty
• Build genuine relationships that help youth feel seen, safe, and supported
• Manage the day-to-day rhythm of the shelter: milieu management, structure, and support
• Step in with calm, skilled de-escalation when emotions escalates
• Help with daily living needs, because healing starts with the basics
• Support medication management, ensuring youth stay safe and on track with their health needs
• Collaborate closely with a team of Youth Advocates, case managers, and support staff to create a consistent, unified experience for every young person in shelter
• Support case management goals and keep solid documentation by providing direct impact to the youth

This role is for you if:
You believe every young person deserves stability. You stay calm when things get chaotic. You show up consistently, because consistency is what rebuilds trust. You maintain professional boundaries, safeguard confidentiality, and hold yourself to the highest ethical standard. And you want a job where the work is real, human, and meaningful every day on every shift.

Qualifications:

• 21 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license auto insurance required; ability to drive Company vehicle without restrictions.
• Ability to pass a criminal background study.
• Experience working with youth preferred.
• Must be able to lift, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and use flights of stairs.
• Must be able to walk regularly and frequently, including ascending and descending flights of stairs, to conduct safety checks.
• Lifting and physical requirements as required for kitchen and meal preparation duties; and as required to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to build rapport with youth while maintaining boundaries.
• De-escalation, crisis response, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong observational and communication skills.
• Basic food preparation skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete electronic documentation.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer. The employee is frequently required walk, stand, and go up and down stairs.

This is an on-site, awake position at our newly built, state of the art facility in Rochester.

About 180 Degrees:

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a fast-growing non-profit organization. Founded over 50 years ago, 180 Degrees is recognized for piloting innovative solutions to address challenges of homelessness, sexual exploitation, poverty and incarceration. With program sites around the state, 180 Degrees continues to expand its portfolio of programs and services now impacting the lives of over 2,000 youth and adults each year. We seek leaders who will guide the next growth phase of our organization.

180 Degrees, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

180 Degrees’ intention is for our staff reflect the communities we serve.We actively encourage women, people of color, differently abled,and other diverse candidates to apply for open positions.