Youth Specialist Jobs
Youth Specialist jobs are open across nonprofits, school districts, government agencies, and community health organizations, from entry-level case aide to senior program coordinator, with specializations in juvenile justice, workforce development, and behavioral health. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 200+ Youth Specialist jobs
Position Summary and Job Duties
This is a 2nd shift position (MALE ONLY) working a rotating schedule of five days on, two days off, then five days on, three days off. The hours are 2:30PM -11:00PM.
Under the general direction of the YSC Supervisor the Youth Specialists are assigned to the Youth Services Center (YSC) formerly called the Juvenile Detention Center. The YSC operates on a 24-hour, 7-days per week basis. Youth Specialists work in a secure facility with male and female offenders under 18 years of age. Youth Specialists interact directly with juveniles with the focus on managing behavior by the least restrictive means, utilizing coaching and conflict resolution skills to promote pro-social behavior. The juvenile population includes those who may be violent, have mental health issues or may exhibit challenging behaviors. Youth Specialists are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, secure environment for juveniles and staff and ensuring that their care and programming needs are met.
50% - Provides Direct Supervision of Youth at the YSC
- Facilitates and follows the YSC Behavioral Modification Program
- Facilitates and participates in programming to the youth
- Follows the daily schedule of activities for youth
- Performs security, discipline and suicide checks according to YSC policies
- Supervises youth directly, while providing healthy interaction through role modeling
- Supervises youth while on off-campus activities
- Respond and show the appropriate response in medical or crisis emergencies
- Works with specialty (A.C.T.I.O.N.S. or Shelter Care) or special needs youth
- Document and complete clear and specific daily progress notes and point sheets
- Complete clear and specific incident reports
- Document all security, discipline and suicide checks per YSC policies
- Complete clear and accurate daily rosters and meal logs
- Complete clear and specific overtime, benefit and leave slips
- Attend work related and mandatory training per year as directed
- Attend mandatory staff meetings
- Review and sign off on policies and procedures as directed
- Maintain Wisconsin Juvenile Detention Officer Certification yearly
Success Factors (KSA's)
- Knowledge of DOC 346 and DCF 59 Policies
- Knowledge of the Rock County Personnel Ordinance
- Knowledge of other Human Services Divisions who utilize YSC and their duties/resources
- Knowledge of Agencies outside the Human Services Department and their duties/resources
- Experience working with youth ages 10-17
- Ability to facilitate team meetings and shift change briefings
- First Aid/CPR Certification
- Ability to perform and make decisions in crisis situations
Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience
- Minimum qualifications: High School diploma and at least one year demonstrated experience working or volunteering with at-risk youth.
- Demonstrated/related work experience must be detailed in the job application. Examples of work with at-risk youth may include, but is not limited to:
- Probation or Community Corrections
- Mentoring programs
- Coaching or teaching
- Recreation or after school programs
- Any programs where the mission is for progressive transformation and focus is on youth with behavior problems.
- Must possess a valid State Driver’s license by time of employment.
- Most competitive qualifications: An Associate’s degree and two years demonstrated experience working or volunteering with at-risk youth, or Bachelors’ degree in; Criminal Justice, Law and Justice or related area of study, or Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related social science area of study and one (1) year of full time experience working with at-risk youth or juveniles in a correctional or security oriented environment.
- Demonstrated/related work experience must be detailed in the job application. Examples of work with at-risk youth may include, but is not limited to:
- Must be certified as a Juvenile Detention Officer with the State of Wisconsin within one year of hire.
- Successful incumbents will be contacted by Human Resources to advance to the background investigation process. The background investigation process is a thorough and extensive process which includes, but is not limited to: completion of finger-prints, extensive background investigation questionnaire to include personal reference check, employment references check, criminal background check, interview and physical examination (pre-employment physical).
Essential Job Functions (physical elements, equipment and working conditions)
- Ability to walk up one flight of stairs
- Ability to lift and carry at least 20 pounds for at least 15 feet.
- Ability to squat to inspect cells under bunks, tables, etc.
- Ability to carry mattresses and bags of laundry
- Ability to push the food cart with trays of food
- Ability to push the mop bucket, move chairs and tables as needed
- Ability to lift, push/pull objects weighing up to 165 pounds
Use of Equipment:
- Ability to use a computer and computer keyboard
- Ability to use Portable Radio
- Almost all indoor work in a secure youth center, with the ability to go on off-campus activities
- A valid driver's license
- CPR/AED certification
Position Summary and Job Duties
This is a 2nd shift position (MALE ONLY) working a rotating schedule of five days on, two days off, then five days on, three days off. The hours are 2:30PM -11:00PM.
Under the general direction of the YSC Supervisor the Youth Specialists are assigned to the Youth Services Center (YSC) formerly called the Juvenile Detention Center. The YSC operates on a 24-hour, 7-days per week basis. Youth Specialists work in a secure facility with male and female offenders under 18 years of age. Youth Specialists interact directly with juveniles with the focus on managing behavior by the least restrictive means, utilizing coaching and conflict resolution skills to promote pro-social behavior. The juvenile population includes those who may be violent, have mental health issues or may exhibit challenging behaviors. Youth Specialists are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, secure environment for juveniles and staff and ensuring that their care and programming needs are met.
50% - Provides Direct Supervision of Youth at the YSC
- Facilitates and follows the YSC Behavioral Modification Program
- Facilitates and participates in programming to the youth
- Follows the daily schedule of activities for youth
- Performs security, discipline and suicide checks according to YSC policies
- Supervises youth directly, while providing healthy interaction through role modeling
- Supervises youth while on off-campus activities
- Respond and show the appropriate response in medical or crisis emergencies
- Works with specialty (A.C.T.I.O.N.S. or Shelter Care) or special needs youth
- Document and complete clear and specific daily progress notes and point sheets
- Complete clear and specific incident reports
- Document all security, discipline and suicide checks per YSC policies
- Complete clear and accurate daily rosters and meal logs
- Complete clear and specific overtime, benefit and leave slips
- Attend work related and mandatory training per year as directed
- Attend mandatory staff meetings
- Review and sign off on policies and procedures as directed
- Maintain Wisconsin Juvenile Detention Officer Certification yearly
Success Factors (KSA's)
- Knowledge of DOC 346 and DCF 59 Policies
- Knowledge of the Rock County Personnel Ordinance
- Knowledge of other Human Services Divisions who utilize YSC and their duties/resources
- Knowledge of Agencies outside the Human Services Department and their duties/resources
- Experience working with youth ages 10-17
- Ability to facilitate team meetings and shift change briefings
- First Aid/CPR Certification
- Ability to perform and make decisions in crisis situations
Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience
- Minimum qualifications: High School diploma and at least one year demonstrated experience working or volunteering with at-risk youth.
- Demonstrated/related work experience must be detailed in the job application. Examples of work with at-risk youth may include, but is not limited to:
- Probation or Community Corrections
- Mentoring programs
- Coaching or teaching
- Recreation or after school programs
- Any programs where the mission is for progressive transformation and focus is on youth with behavior problems.
- Must possess a valid State Driver’s license by time of employment.
- Most competitive qualifications: An Associate’s degree and two years demonstrated experience working or volunteering with at-risk youth, or Bachelors’ degree in; Criminal Justice, Law and Justice or related area of study, or Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related social science area of study and one (1) year of full time experience working with at-risk youth or juveniles in a correctional or security oriented environment.
- Demonstrated/related work experience must be detailed in the job application. Examples of work with at-risk youth may include, but is not limited to:
- Must be certified as a Juvenile Detention Officer with the State of Wisconsin within one year of hire.
- Successful incumbents will be contacted by Human Resources to advance to the background investigation process. The background investigation process is a thorough and extensive process which includes, but is not limited to: completion of finger-prints, extensive background investigation questionnaire to include personal reference check, employment references check, criminal background check, interview and physical examination (pre-employment physical).
Essential Job Functions (physical elements, equipment and working conditions)
- Ability to walk up one flight of stairs
- Ability to lift and carry at least 20 pounds for at least 15 feet.
- Ability to squat to inspect cells under bunks, tables, etc.
- Ability to carry mattresses and bags of laundry
- Ability to push the food cart with trays of food
- Ability to push the mop bucket, move chairs and tables as needed
- Ability to lift, push/pull objects weighing up to 165 pounds
Use of Equipment:
- Ability to use a computer and computer keyboard
- Ability to use Portable Radio
- Almost all indoor work in a secure youth center, with the ability to go on off-campus activities
- A valid driver's license
- CPR/AED certification
See All 200+ Youth Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Youth Specialist JobsYouth Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Covenant House International11
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America11
- Wedgwood Christian Services10
- Heartland ABA9
- Sasha Bruce Youthwork8
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in youth specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field
- Experience working directly with youth in a structured program or case management setting
- Youth Mental Health First Aid or similar crisis intervention certification
- Ability to maintain accurate case notes and program documentation in a database or case management system
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for home visits or community outreach
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and strength-based engagement approaches
Tips for Your Youth Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to program outcomes
Youth specialist hiring managers want to see what changed for the young people you worked with. Replace duty-focused bullets with outcome language: group sizes served, program completion rates, or behavioral milestones reached. Quantify wherever your documentation allows.
List every relevant certification upfront
Certifications like CPR, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed Care frequently appear as minimum requirements. Put them in a dedicated section near the top of your resume so screeners see them before reading your work history.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists youth specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing. Applying early gives your application the most visibility before a posting closes.
Filter by population and setting
Youth specialist roles vary enormously by population served, from court-involved youth to foster care to school-based prevention. Narrow your search by the specific setting you have experience in so your background reads as a direct fit rather than a general match.
Prepare a practice scenario before your interview
Interviewers for youth specialist roles almost always use behavioral and situational questions, asking how you handled a youth in crisis or a family conflict. Prepare two or three detailed stories from real cases that show your de-escalation, documentation, and follow-through process.
Negotiate your offer against the salary scale
Many nonprofit and government youth specialist positions use published pay scales or salary bands. Ask the hiring manager which band the role falls in and where your experience places you within it. This frames negotiation as a classification question, not a demand.
Youth Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most youth specialists?
The companies hiring the most youth specialists right now include Covenant House International, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Wedgwood Christian Services, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Michigan, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially concentrated in community-based organizations, county social services departments, and residential treatment programs.
How many youth specialist jobs are remote?
About 45% of youth specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the role depends on in-person contact with young people and their families. The sub-areas with the most remote flexibility tend to be virtual mentoring programs, telehealth-adjacent case coordination, and training or curriculum development roles.
How do you become a youth specialist?
Most youth specialist positions require a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or human services. After completing your degree, gain direct experience through internships, AmeriCorps service, or entry-level case aide roles. Earning certifications in Youth Mental Health First Aid, trauma-informed care, or Motivational Interviewing strengthens your candidacy. Many employers also require a clean background check before hire.
Can you get hired as a youth specialist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level youth specialist roles exist specifically for candidates early in their careers, particularly in after-school programs, group homes, and summer youth employment programs. Employers in these settings often prioritize demonstrated commitment, volunteer history with youth populations, and relevant coursework over years of paid experience. Highlight any direct youth contact, even unpaid, prominently on your resume.
What does the youth specialist interview process look like?
Most youth specialist interviews include a phone screen followed by one or two in-person or video rounds. Expect behavioral questions about de-escalation, boundary-setting, and mandatory reporting, as well as situational scenarios involving a youth in crisis. Some employers conduct a panel interview with program staff. Reference checks and a background screening are standard final steps before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to youth specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to youth specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your experience, population focus, and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
See All 200+ Youth Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Youth Specialist Jobs