Substitute Youth Shelter Specialist

What You’ll Do:

As a Youth Shelter Specialist, you’ll provide safety, encouragement, and vital support to youth experiencing homelessness or crisis. Your daily work will include:

•  Delivering one-on-one supportive counseling and crisis intervention in a calm, caring manner


•  Assisting youth in connecting with internal and external community resources


•  Responding to in-person and phone inquiries to the YES! Shelter


•  Supporting youth in scheduling and attending appointments, coordinating transportation, and participating in social/recreational activities


•  Ensuring the safety and security of the shelter and its residents at all times


•  Completing shelter entry assessments and coordinating safe transportation and entry


•  Helping with meal preparation, housekeeping, donation organization, and maintaining a home-like environment


•  Providing transportation when needed


•  Entering accurate data into required systems and assisting with tracking program statistics


•  Facilitating house meetings and maintaining clear communication with the Program Manager


•  Ensuring effective communication during shift changes


•  Assisting with Homeless Program activities as needed


•  Completing physical tasks such as navigating stairs and lifting up to 25 lbs

Minimum Qualifications:

We’re looking for someone compassionate, dependable, and dedicated to supporting youth. Applicants must:

• Use sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality


• Understand youth services, rights, and responsibilities


• Complete required trainings and attend meetings as assigned


• Hold a valid NYS Driver’s License and have reliable, insured transportation


• Possess a High School Diploma or GED and at least 12 months of related human services experience
  
  
  
  • Equivalent education/experience combinations will be considered
  
  
  
  

💙 Why Join OCO?

Become part of a mission-driven organization committed to empowering individuals and strengthening our community. Your work will have a positive impact on the lives of young people.

👉 Ready to Apply?

Bring your compassion and purpose to our team!
Apply today and help create a safe, supportive environment where youth can thrive.

Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.