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.
Your journey matters. If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others, we welcome your application. 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.
Who you are...
It’s not just an internship – it’s a chance to be the spark in someone’s story. We’re looking for someone who is:
- currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program - any major is welcome but Human Services majors are preferred.
- interested in young adults experiencing homelessness.
- at least 19 years old.
- able to access reliable transportation
- possesses excellent observational, listening, verbal, and writing skills.
- proactive, takes initiative, seeks out opportunities for learning,
- comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
- ready to inspire, connect, and lead with purpose,
Who we are (and why you'll love us)...
Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive through education, counseling, and support that actually makes a difference. With a passionate, diverse leadership team and our brand-new, 50-acre recovery campus,
we’re growing fast and thinking big. We're not just keeping up with the times—we're shaping the future of care for youth and families in Iowa. Want to know more about our mission and all the awesome things we’re up to? Visit
yss.org!
At YSS, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we live it, celebrate it, and grow from it every day. We believe the best teams are made up of all kinds of people, with all kinds of perspectives. That’s what makes us strong, creative, and downright awesome. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we’re all about creating a space where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to succeed—no matter your background, identity, or hairstyle. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is woven into everything we do, and we’re always working to do better, together.
YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.
Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - Most of our communication with applicants happens through email—straight from our Paycom system. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and maybe your spam/junk folder too, just in case our message took a detour). Got questions about your application or just want to say hi? Shoot us an email at
recruitment@yss.org - we’re happy to help!
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 – Send us three+ people who can sing your praises.
- 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
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