Youth Outreach Specialist

YOUTH OUTREACH SPECIALIST

JOB TITLE:

Youth Outreach Specialist

REPORTS TO:

Community Outreach Manager STATUS:
Full-time (40 hours) CLASSIFICATION:
Exempt

WORK HOURS:

Flexibility to work daytime and evening hours and occasional weekends

LOCATION:

Forest Lake and surrounding Washington and Chisago County communities

Lakes Center is a community-based nonprofit organization committed to walking with youth and families during pivotal moments. For fifty years, Lakes Center has partnered with schools, families, and community systems to provide counseling, education engagement, youth outreach, enrichment, and restorative programs that support mental health, accountability, connection, and long-term well‑being.

Lakes Center believes early, relationship‑centered intervention can change trajectories for young people. Our work is grounded in compassion, equity, collaboration, and respect for the strengths of youth, families, and communities.

The Youth Outreach Specialist engages and supports youth through proactive outreach, mentoring, group programming, and relationship‑building across school and community settings. Managed by the Community Outreach Manager, this role helps identify youth early, reduce barriers to support, and promote connection, belonging, and positive development.

This position also assists in the implementation of Lakes Center’s Restorative Juvenile Justice program in Chisago County, supporting diversion, restorative circles, and accountability‑focused responses that emphasize repair of harm and youth growth.

• Build and maintain supportive relationships with a caseload of youth through consistent one‑to‑one mentoring and check‑ins
• Provide strength‑based, trauma‑informed support to youth navigating academic, behavioral, social, or family challenges
• Support youth in developing coping skills, accountability, and positive decision‑making
• Assist youth during moments of crisis and coordinate with supervisors and partners as appropriate

• Assist in planning, preparing, and implementing youth outreach activities, groups, and events
• Receive training and facilitate non‑clinical support groups and skill‑building opportunities at no cost to families
• Support youth enrichment activities that promote connection, exploration, and positive peer relationships
• Assist with restorative circles, diversion programming, and accountability‑based interventions under the guidance of trained staff
• Help ensure safety, consistency, and positive youth experience across all program settings

• Assist in delivering the Restorative Juvenile Justice program in coordination with the Community Outreach Manager
• Support preparation and facilitation of restorative circles involving youth, families, victims, and community members, as trained
• Assist with case coordination, participant communication, and follow‑up related to restorative referrals
• Support documentation, outcome tracking, and reporting requirements connected to restorative justice programming
• Build professional relationships with county partners including schools, probation, law enforcement, and community organizations

• Conduct regular outreach in schools and community settings to identify and connect with youth early
• Build relationships with school staff, administrators, and community partners
• Support referrals and coordination with counseling, education engagement, restorative justice, and other services
• Assist youth and families in accessing community‑based resources and supports

• Transport youth to and from programs and activities as needed, including driving a 12–15 passenger van
• Assist with program setup, materials preparation, and basic equipment and vehicle upkeep

• Accurately document youth contacts, activities, and outcomes in required data systems
• Participate in team meetings, training, supervision, and professional development
• Support program evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Experience working with youth in a paid or volunteer capacity
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or a related field preferred (equivalent experience considered)
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet organizational driving requirements
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn trauma‑informed care and restorative practices
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
• Sound judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism
• Alignment with Lakes Center’s mission and commitment to equity and community partnership