Youth Navigator (NAV Team)

Pyxis, Inc; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Pyxis, Inc in Wichita, KS is seeking a Youth Navigator to provide stable, trauma-informed support to youth experiencing placement disruptions and transitions.

The role focuses on building trusting relationships, coordinating with case teams, schools, and community partners, and ensuring youth access to services.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, 2+ years direct youth work, and willingness to be on-call. The work combines in-office collaboration with local travel.

Qualifications

• Trauma-informed care approaches and building trusted connections.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to document interactions accurately and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Build consistent, supportive relationships using trauma-informed approaches and provide daily grounding and emotional regulation support.
• Stay updated on each youth's appointments, services, needs, and goals; share updates with supervisors and case teams.
• Encourage engagement with school routines; communicate educational insights to supervisors.
• Recognize dysregulation and respond with calm, relationship-based strategies; document patterns and interventions.
• Provide a supportive presence during placement changes and ensure basic needs and belongings are managed.
• Complete daily notes, track appointments and activities, and contribute weekly summaries.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Relationship-building

Emotional regulation

Communication

Crisis support

Education

High school diploma or GED

College degree in social work or related field (preferred)

Job description

Position Summary:

The Youth Navigator (NAV Team) provides stable, consistent support to youth experiencing placement disruptions and frequent transitions. Amid constantly changing environments and adults, Youth Navigator (NAV Team) Members serve as a steady presence—showing up reliably, offering grounding support, and helping youth stay anchored during instability. They act as a bridge between youth and their surrounding care network—case teams, therapists, schools, placements, medical providers, and community partners—ensuring continuity of services, relationships, and opportunities. At its core, the Youth Navigator (NAV Team) helps youth feel seen, supported, and cared for while safeguarding their daily needs and preventing vital information or opportunities from being lost during placement changes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build consistent, supportive relationships using trauma-informed approaches (TBRI, SCM, connection-first). Provide daily grounding, coaching, and emotional regulation support. Ensure youth's basic needs are met so they can engage fully in programming.
• Stay updated on each youth's appointments, services, needs, and goals. Maintain youth connection to their service ecosystem during placement changes. Share meaningful updates and observations with Supervisors and case teams.
• Encourage engagement with school expectations and routines. Support follow-through with schoolwork and communicate key educational insights to Supervisors.
• Recognize early signs of dysregulation and respond with least-restrictive, relationship-based strategies. Offer grounding support during escalations and assist youth in returning to programming afterward. Document patterns, behaviors, and interventions clearly and professionally.
• Provide a supportive presence during placement changes, offering emotional reassurance and communicating observations that promote safety and stability. Ensure the youth's physical and emotional needs are addressed and that all personal belongings are transported and easily accessible.
• Complete daily notes, track appointments and activities, observe behavior trends, and contribute weekly stability summaries.

Special Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to support youth navigating complex care systems, including working with youth facing trauma, instability, or behavioral needs.
• Ability to remain calm, grounded, and supportive during escalations; flexibility, emotional resilience, and the ability to build trust quickly.
• Proficient in accurate, confidential clinical documentation; strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Demonstrates initiative, cooperation, a positive attitude, and the ability to build supportive relationships with staff and youth.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation for local community-based travel.
• Willing to be on-call approximately 5% of the time.
• Ability to pass all required background checks.
• Weekend availability preferred for extended-stay support.
• Must be available to work holidays and / or be on call as needed.
• Must be at least 21 years old.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required; college degree in social work, human services, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct service experience in residential, shelter, school-based, or community-based youth work required; 1–2 years of youth case management experience preferred.

License and Certification:

• Training and certification in TBRI, SCM, or similar relational frameworks preferred.

Work Environment:

Work occurs both in-office and in the community, involving local travel; frequent collaboration with team, supervisor, and agency. This position will spend 50% of the time in direct services and transition support with clients. 25% of the time will be spent coordinating care and service planning. Ability to walk (including stairs) and stand for extended periods; able to perform emergency safety physical interventions as trained. Active, fast-paced environment supporting youth with high levels of transition.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• N/A

Pyxis is an AA/EEO/Veteran/Disabled employer.