Youth Worker

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Full Time Regular Holyoke, MA, US

30+ days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $62,000.00 Annually

Roca is an internationally recognized violence intervention and behavioral health program that works with the young people most likely to shoot or be shot. Founded in 1988 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Roca now serves nearly 2,000 of the highest-risk young people each year across seven sites in Massachusetts, Baltimore (MD), and Hartford (CT).

Roca’s work is grounded in Rewire CBT, a breakthrough adaptation of cognitive behavioral therapy designed for young people living with trauma, disconnected from traditional services, and involved in/impacted by violence. Through relentless outreach, long‑term relationships, and skill‑building, Roca helps youth move from reacting to choosing, from surviving to living.

Meanwhile, the Roca Impact Institute extends this reach nationally. Launched in 2020, the Institute trains community violence intervention staff, criminal justice agencies, and police officers in Rewire CBT, building trauma‑informed practices and systems change across the country. To date, the Institute has trained more than 10,000 staff across 100+ organizations in 24 states and D.C.

The Youth Worker will report to the Assistant Director. The Youth Worker will have the primary responsibility of engaging 25 very high‑risk young adults through relationships and programming as well as working with community partners (police, probation officers, community members) within the communities Roca is serving.

The successful Youth Worker will work closely with team members, supervisors, and others within the organization to ensure that each young person is driving to outcomes of economic independence and living out of harm’s way. We strive to meet the following outcomes:
No Re‑Incarcerations and Retained Employment.

• Facilitate, apply, practice, and demonstrate Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) using Roca’s Intervention Model.
• Consistently exercise and apply CBT informally, formally and virtually.
• Assist and role model in the process of obtaining and sustaining employment through job search and overall workforce professionalism.
• Engage with other aspects of work, such as but not limited to court engagement, work behind the wall, peacemaking circles, work with the community, productive and professional participation in meetings, etc.
• Continually learn, demonstrate, practice and improve skills related to Roca’s intervention model.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of case notes into ETO (Efforts to Outcome system) daily.
• Act as a Crew Supervisor and manage a work crew when needed.
• Analyze and interpret ETO data as it relates to young people and understand how data relates to a young person’s progress.
• Adapt outreach efforts in accordance with data collected in ETO.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Maintain a caseload of young people and build transformation relationships in alignment with Roca’s intervention model.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide additional types of educational/vocational/life skills programming, in person and virtually, e.g. educational classes, Serv Safe, upgraded workforce professional skills, parenting, healthy habits, driver’s education, and/or the ability to help with job placement.
• Strategically plan workweek schedules— including outreach lists for contact, programming needs, identifying if YP is in need of additional assistance and CBT coaching and constructive use of Track Books.

The very nature of Roca’s work requires an individual of great commitment and energy to the mission. Roca seeks a highly driven individual who is in alignment with the culture and values of Roca. In addition, the ideal candidate for this position will be a trustworthy decision‑maker. He/she will have a sense of humor, feel passionate and committed to direct work with high‑risk youth, and demonstrate interest in coaching and supporting coworkers.

Roca expects…