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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Youth Assistant

💰 $28,000 - $42,000

Youth ServicesEducationSocial WorkNonprofit

🎯 Role Definition

The Youth Assistant supports the planning, delivery, and evaluation of programs and services for children and adolescents (typically ages 5–18). This role provides direct supervision, mentoring, activity facilitation, and administrative support to ensure safe, inclusive, and engaging environments in after‑school programs, community centers, shelters, or school-based initiatives. The Youth Assistant works closely with youth workers, case managers, families, schools, and partner agencies to implement youth development activities, document progress, and escalate welfare or behavior concerns according to safeguarding policies.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Volunteer youth mentor or camp counselor transitioning into a paid role
  • After-school program assistant or recreation aide
  • Internships in social services, education, or community outreach

Advancement To:

  • Youth Program Coordinator or Lead Youth Worker
  • Case Manager or Family Support Specialist
  • Recreation or Program Manager (community centers, parks & rec)
  • Specialist roles (Behavioral Support, Outreach Coordinator)

Lateral Moves:

  • Community Liaison or Outreach Worker
  • Volunteer Coordinator or Engagement Specialist
  • School Support Specialist or Classroom Aid

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan, prepare, and deliver age-appropriate recreational, educational, and life-skills activities that promote social, emotional, and cognitive development for groups of children and adolescents; adapt activities for diverse learning needs and developmental levels.
  • Provide direct supervision of youth during programs, field trips, and transit times to ensure safety, adherence to center policies, and consistent behavior management; monitor ratios and maintain a secure environment at all times.
  • Build rapport with children and adolescents through positive youth development techniques, mentoring, and strengths-based feedback that encourage self-esteem, resilience, and goal setting.
  • Implement individualized behavior support strategies and classroom management plans in coordination with supervisors and mental health or case management staff to address challenging behaviors and promote positive outcomes.
  • Conduct intake interviews, collect demographic and needs assessment information, and maintain accurate case notes, attendance logs, incident reports, and progress documentation using paper forms or agency databases in compliance with confidentiality policies.
  • Communicate regularly and proactively with parents, guardians, and teachers to share program information, participant progress, goals, and any incidents or concerns; arrange family meetings or referrals as needed.
  • Assist in developing and modifying lesson plans, curriculum materials, and activity schedules that reflect developmental benchmarks, cultural relevance, and program learning objectives.
  • Identify youth at risk of harm or displaying signs of abuse, neglect, or mental health crises and follow mandated reporting procedures, escalate concerns to supervisors, and coordinate with child protection services or law enforcement when required.
  • Facilitate group discussions, peer mediation, conflict resolution exercises, and social-emotional learning workshops to teach communication skills, problem-solving, and healthy relationships.
  • Support program enrollment, outreach, and recruitment efforts by conducting community engagement, distributing promotional materials, and representing the organization at local schools or events to increase participation among target populations.
  • Coordinate and supervise volunteers, interns, or junior staff during activities; provide on-the-job coaching, feedback, and basic training in program procedures and youth engagement techniques.
  • Monitor and maintain supplies, equipment, and facilities to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment; report any maintenance issues or safety hazards promptly.
  • Deliver basic first aid and administer medications per organizational policies when necessary; document health incidents and follow up with parents/guardians and healthcare providers as required.
  • Assist with transportation logistics and supervision for program-related travel, ensuring vehicle safety checks, parent consent, and adherence to transportation policies and child passenger safety laws.
  • Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings, and interagency coordination to share relevant youth progress information, contribute to care plans, and ensure continuity of services.
  • Collect and input program evaluation data, participant feedback, and outcomes metrics to support quality improvement, funding reports, and evidence-based program development.
  • Support crisis intervention efforts by de-escalating emotionally charged situations, applying trauma-informed practices, and referring youth to clinical resources or emergency services when necessary.
  • Promote cultural competence and inclusion by integrating diverse perspectives into program content, respecting family practices, and connecting participants with relevant cultural or language resources.
  • Enforce agency policies related to confidentiality, privacy (e.g., HIPAA or local equivalents), mandated reporting, child safeguarding, and professional boundaries with youth and families.
  • Assist supervisors with administrative tasks such as scheduling, funding paperwork, grant reporting support, inventory tracking, and preparation of outreach materials to support program operations and funding compliance.
  • Participate in regular professional development, staff trainings, and supervision sessions to improve practice in youth development, behavior management, trauma-informed care, and child safeguarding.
  • Support transition planning for youth aging out of programs by linking them to educational, vocational, or community resources and documenting referral outcomes.
  • Respond to after-hours incidents or parent communications as part of an on-call rotation when required; prepare incident summaries and follow-up action plans for leadership review.

Secondary Functions

  • Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and retention initiatives to expand program capacity and community engagement.
  • Assist in grant application preparation by compiling participant data, drafting program descriptions, and providing outcomes information to funders.
  • Contribute to the creation of digital content for social media and program newsletters to promote youth success stories and program availability.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and provide basic analysis of attendance trends, engagement metrics, and outcomes for program improvement.
  • Serve as a liaison between the youth program and community partners (schools, mental health clinics, juvenile justice, employers) to coordinate referrals and resources.
  • Participate in outreach and enrollment events at partner schools, community centers, and local events to increase accessibility and awareness of services.
  • Help adapt curriculum and activities for virtual or hybrid delivery models, including basic troubleshooting of online platforms and support for families with limited digital access.
  • Maintain and update emergency response plans, safety protocols, and contact lists in collaboration with program leadership.
  • Assist with inventory and procurement of program supplies, snacks, and materials under budget constraints and donor requirements.
  • Support data privacy and record retention procedures, ensuring files are stored securely and in compliance with organizational protocols.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Youth development knowledge: understanding of developmental stages, social-emotional learning frameworks, and age-appropriate pedagogy.
  • Behavior management and de-escalation techniques, including use of positive reinforcement and trauma-informed approaches.
  • Case documentation and record-keeping: incident reporting, attendance tracking, confidentiality compliance, and use of EHR or CRM systems (e.g., Apricot, Salesforce Nonprofit, Google Sheets).
  • Basic first aid and CPR certification; familiarity with medication administration policies and emergency response procedures.
  • Lesson planning and curriculum adaptation for after-school, summer camp, or group-based programming.
  • Referral networks and resource navigation: knowledge of local mental health, housing, social services, and youth employment supports.
  • Data collection and basic analysis: compiling attendance, participation metrics, and outcome indicators for reporting and continuous improvement.
  • Classroom/group facilitation skills, including leading workshops, skill-building sessions, and peer-support activities.
  • Child safeguarding and mandated reporting laws and procedures applicable in the operating jurisdiction.
  • Basic computer skills (MS Office, Google Workspace), email communication, and use of virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams).
  • Transportation and supervision protocols for off-site activities, including familiarity with consent forms and vehicle safety checks.
  • Multilingual or bilingual communication (where applicable) to serve diverse communities effectively.

Soft Skills

  • Strong interpersonal communication: clear, compassionate writing and in-person communication with youth, families, and partner agencies.
  • High emotional intelligence and empathy; ability to build trust with youth experiencing trauma or adversity.
  • Patience and resilience when working with challenging behaviors and high-stress situations.
  • Cultural competence and sensitivity to diversity in identity, family structure, and lived experience.
  • Conflict resolution and restorative practices skills to mediate peer disputes and model healthy problem-solving.
  • Teamwork and collaborative mindset to work effectively with interdisciplinary staff, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Time management and organizational skills to balance direct service, documentation, and program logistics.
  • Adaptability and creativity to modify activities on the fly and engage youth with different interests and abilities.
  • Professional boundaries and ethical judgment in interactions with minors and families.
  • Motivational and coaching orientation to support goal-setting, academic support, and employment preparation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; some roles accept a combination of education and direct experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Psychology, Youth Development, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Work
  • Human Services
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Youth Development
  • Recreation, Community Development, or Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years of direct experience working with children and adolescents (after-school programs, camps, shelters, schools, community centers).

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years (or more) of experience supervising groups of youth, facilitating curriculum, and documenting case or program data; experience with at-risk youth, trauma-informed care, or child welfare is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated volunteer coordination, outreach, or interagency collaboration experience is a plus.
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