Youth Services Specialist

Ywca Shr; Norfolk (VA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

YWCA South Hampton Roads is seeking a part-time Youth Services Specialist to provide direct support to children and youth in shelter programs. The Specialist helps youth engage academically, build routines, and develop social-emotional skills with access to resources for well-being and development.

Under the Youth Services Manager, you will coordinate services with shelter staff, mentors, and partners, maintaining confidential documentation and Uplifting youth through individualized goal setting

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; some college coursework preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience with children or youth in shelter, school, after-school, recreation, childcare, mentoring, nonprofit, or similar environment.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with youth across ages, backgrounds, and development levels.
• Understanding of positive youth development and trauma-informed practices, or willingness to learn via YWCA training.

Responsibilities

• Build supportive relationships with children and youth in YW shelter programs through regular check-ins and mentoring.
• Identify youth strengths, needs, and barriers; collaborate with youth, caregivers, and staff to set goals and supports.
• Provide academic assistance, homework help, literacy activities, and connections to tutoring.
• Facilitate enrichment activities focused on social-emotional learning, life skills, creativity, leadership, healthy relationships.
• Engage parents and caregivers as partners and connect them to resources for child development and well-being.
• Collaborate with Youth Services Manager, shelter staff, case managers, volunteers, and partners to coordinate services.
• Maintain timely documentation of participation, referrals, progress, and outcomes while protecting confidentiality.

Skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Organization

Problem-solving

Trauma-informed practices

Positive youth development

Education

High school diploma or GED

College coursework in Education / Human Services / Social Work

Job description

Description

ABOUT THE POSITION

YWCA South Hampton Roads is seeking a part-time Youth Services Specialist to provide direct support to children and youth residing in our shelter programs. The Specialist serves as a consistent and supportive presence for youth experiencing housing instability, family crisis, trauma, and significant life transitions.

Working under the supervision of the Youth Services Manager, the Specialist helps youth stay engaged academically, build healthy routines and social‑emotional skills, participate in enrichment opportunities, and connect with resources that support their well‑being and development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Build positive, supportive relationships with children and youth residing in YWCA shelter programs through regular check‑ins, mentoring, encouragement, and age‑appropriate engagement.
• Identify youth strengths, interests, needs, and barriers and work with youth, caregivers, and YWCA staff to develop individualized goals and supports.
• Provide academic assistance, including homework help, literacy activities, study support, and connections to tutoring and other educational resources.
• Facilitate and support enrichment activities focused on social‑emotional learning, life skills, creativity, leadership, healthy relationships, recreation, and positive youth development.
• Engage parents and caregivers as partners, providing information and connections to resources that support their child's development and well‑being.
• Collaborate with the Youth Services Manager, shelter staff, case managers, volunteers, and community partners to coordinate services and respond to emerging youth needs.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of youth participation, services, referrals, progress, and program outcomes while protecting participant confidentiality.

REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED required; some college coursework in Education, Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Youth Development, Family Studies, or a related field preferred.
• At least one year of experience working with children or youth in a shelter, school, after‑school program, recreation program, childcare setting, mentoring program, nonprofit, or similar environment preferred.
• Relevant volunteer, internship, or community‑based experience working with children and youth may be considered.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with youth across varying ages, backgrounds, and developmental levels.
• Understanding of positive youth development and trauma‑informed practices, or willingness to learn through YWCA training.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Must successfully complete required background checks and YWCA training requirements.

SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION

This is a part‑time position paying $20.00 per hour. Scheduling is based on the needs of youth residing in YWCA shelter programs and may include afternoon, evening, and occasional weekend hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be required to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to:

• Frequently communicate and interact with children, youth, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Regularly stand, walk, and sit for varying periods while supervising or engaging in youth activities.
• Reach, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or move as necessary to participate in and support age‑appropriate youth activities.
• Lift and carry program supplies, equipment, or other materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Use computers, telephones, and other standard office and program‑related equipment.
• Work in an active environment that may include moderate noise and frequent interaction with children and youth.
• Participate in indoor and outdoor activities and occasional community‑based programming.

START TIMEFRAME

The position will remain open until filled.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) DISCLOSURE

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

ADA requires YWCA SHR to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [e-mail] or 757-625-4248.