Job Description

Overview YSS is seeking a trustworthy, courageous, grounded MPACT Community Advocate to join our dedicated team in Marshalltown. As an Advocate, you’ll be a calm, steady presence for individuals in crisis—listening, supporting, and helping people find their footing again. You’ll create a safe, respectful space while providing on-site, participant-centered services such as skill-building and crisis intervention. Your goal is to strengthen connections between participants, their families, schools, and the community—and to help resolve concerns that may have brought law enforcement into the picture. This role is a key link between YSS, law enforcement, and local support networks. You’ll work closely with therapists, family advocates, coordinators, and other service providers to ensure each participant gets the care and guidance they need. You’ll also provide phone support during your shift or on-call rotation to ensure help is always within reach. Responsibilities Crisis Response Respond to law enforcement (LE) calls within one hour—by phone, virtually, or in person, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Maintain composure under pressure. Provide immediate, participant-centered support, ensuring safety, de-escalation, and connection to critical resources such as shelter, food, healthcare, and victim services. Participant Advocacy Build rapport with individuals in crisis, offering respectful, trauma-informed care. Assist participants in accessing community resources and services to meet basic and ongoing needs. Provide limited transportation when safe and appropriate. Collaboration Work closely with law enforcement, school resource officers, counselors, and community partners to support participants and coordinate services. Maintain relationships with local agencies, including the county attorney’s office and other referral networks. Uphold YSS values of respect, safety, and cooperation. Documentation & Communication Accurately document services, observations, and participant progress. Model positive, effective communication with coworkers, participants, families, and LE partners while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. Training & Professional Development Participate in ongoing YSS and LE trainings on crisis intervention, behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and community systems. Meet regularly with a licensed mental health practitioner for supervision and consultation. Stay current on best practices and maintain understanding of the mental health system, criminal justice processes, and community resources. This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time. We celebrate the strength in your story. Have you walked the path of recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Are you driven to transform your experience into a source of strength and hope for others? If so, YSS wants to hear from you. We believe your lived experience brings a compassionate and redemptive perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and offering guidance as a role model and mentor, you have the power to make a meaningful impact at YSS. For those in recovery, we typically ask for two years of sobriety to ensure stability and leadership readiness, though we may consider candidates with one year on a case-by-case basis. Your journey matters. If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others, we warmly encourage you to apply. Benefits Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance Accrued PTO, plus paid time off for holidays, your birthday, and volunteering Employee Assistance Program Employee recognition program Personal wellness programs Pet insurance discounts PSLF Program qualification Retirement offerings Training opportunities Must Haves - Required Qualifications Associate’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice, or related field. Two years of full-time experience working with youth who are at-risk, in crisis, experiencing homelessness, or who precariously housed. Experience collaborating with law enforcement, schools, or community service agencies. Should Haves - Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a social sciences field Knowledge of and ability to apply the fundamentals of mental health systems and trauma-informed care, crisis and behavioral intervention techniques, solution-focused treatment theory, child and adolescent development, family counseling and dynamics, community systems and resources, and relevant laws and regulations Strong communication, active listening, and rapport-building skills Knowledge of local community resources and ability to connect participants effectively Willingness to participate in ongoing training, including those offered to law enforcement personnel Proficient in Spanish, both written and spoken The Ideal Candidate Will Remain calm, composed, and decisive in high-stress situations Approach work with humility, respect, and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds Demonstrate reliability and independence with minimal supervision Be mission-driven with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and positive social impact Who we are (and why you’ll love us)... We’re YSS – one of Iowa’s oldest & largest nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission is to spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive. Check us out at yss.org! At YSS, we celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences that each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are dedicated to creating a respectful, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can grow and succeed. YSS is a nicotine-free workplace. Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! We communicate with applicants via email—from Paycom. Keep an eye on your inbox. Email yss@yss.org with questions. The YSS Hiring Process Apply – Fill out the online app at yss.org/ysscareers. Assessment – We’ll check out your skills and experience. Interview – Phone, video, or in-person – we’ll chat and get to know you. References – Provide three+ references. Screening – Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed). Offer – If it’s a match, you’ll get a formal offer through Paycom. Applicable Degrees: Addiction Counseling, Addiction Studies, Adolescent Psychology, Behavioral Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Child Psychology, Clinical Mental Health, Corrections, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Family Science, Family Studies, Family Therapy, Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Nursing, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Health, Rehabilitation Services, Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation, Youth Development, Youth Services Keywords: Abuse, Addiction, Advocacy, Analysis, Assessment, At-risk, Behavioral, Care, Case, CBT, Centered, Client, Coach, Cognitive, Community, Coordination, Counseling, Crisis, Detox, Develop, Education, Engagement, Evaluation, Evidence-Based, Facilitation, Family, Flexibility, Group, Health, Holistic, Human, Individual, Informed, Inpatient, Intervention, Living, Management, Mental, Monitoring, Motivational, Outpatient, Outreach, Peer, Personalized, Planning, Plans, Prevention, Program, Psychiatry, Psychology, Recovery, Rehabilitation, Relapse, Services, Sober, Social, Specialist, Substance, Support, Technique, Therapeutic, Therapy, Trauma, Treatment, Use, Wellness #J-18808-Ljbffr YSS

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