POSITION TITLE: Youth Services Student Intern (Restorative Circles, SEL Lessons, & Child Abuse Prevention Education)
POSITION TYPE: Internship (Unpaid)
REPORTS TO: Manager of Youth Services
AGENCY/LOCATION: The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester/ Local travel is required; locations will vary as services provided will be drop-in
GENERAL DESCRIPTION / POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Youth Services Student Intern to join our team in facilitating restorative circles, delivering Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, and providing child abuse prevention education. This position is ideal for a student pursuing a degree in social work, psychology, education, community youth development, public health or a related field. The intern will work closely with youth, helping them build emotional intelligence, foster positive relationships, and engage in restorative practices to address conflicts, enhance personal growth, and promote safe environments. Interns will get to work with a variety of ages from grades K-12. This internship offers valuable experience in youth development, restorative justice, SEL, and child abuse prevention.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Facilitate Restorative Circles:
o Assist in planning and co-facilitating restorative circles with youth groups to promote open communication and conflict resolution.
o Support youth in sharing their perspectives, listening actively, and developing empathy for others.
o Help create a safe and supportive environment for all participants to express themselves.
o Guide youth through restorative practices to build accountability and repair harm.
· Conduct Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Lessons:
o Assist in delivering SEL curriculum that focuses on skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and responsible decision-making.
o Collaborate with staff to assess the needs of the youth and tailor lessons accordingly.
o Support youth in reflecting on their emotions, relationships, and behaviors in a constructive manner.
· Child Abuse Prevention Education:
o Assist in delivering age-appropriate child abuse prevention education to youth, focusing on healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and recognizing signs of abuse.
o Provide resources and support for youth to understand their rights and know how to seek help if needed.
o Promote awareness of safe and supportive environments by encouraging open communication about personal safety.
o Support youth in discussing difficult topics in a safe, non-judgmental space.
· Support Youth Development:
o Build trusting relationships with youth, encouraging their personal growth and fostering a sense of belonging and community.
o Participate in planning and cofacilitating youth engagement activities that promote social skills, emotional intelligence, and personal safety.
o Provide one-on-one or small group support to youth as needed, offering guidance and encouragement.
· Program Evaluation & Reporting:
o Assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of restorative circles, SEL lessons, and child abuse prevention education through feedback and assessments.
o Document youth progress and participation, keeping accurate and confidential records.
o Contribute to reports and updates on program outcomes to support ongoing improvement.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to demonstrate proficiency in meeting competencies required for position; able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
· Currently enrolled in a degree program in social work, psychology, education, community youth development, public health or related field.
· Previous coursework or experience in youth development, restorative justice, social-emotional learning, or child abuse prevention is a plus.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
· Skills and Abilities:
o Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and facilitate discussions.
o Ability to work with diverse youth populations, demonstrating empathy and cultural competence.
o Knowledge of restorative justice practices, SEL frameworks, and/or child abuse prevention strategies is preferred but not required.
o Comfortable with group facilitation and engaging with youth in an interactive and positive manner.
o Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with professionalism and care.
· Personal Attributes:
o Passionate about supporting youth and helping them navigate challenges.
o Reliable, responsible, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
o Creative, flexible, and adaptable to changing environments and needs.
BENEFITS:
This position provides an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth while gaining valuable experience in the fields of youth development, restorative justice, social-emotional learning, and child abuse prevention education.
· Hands-on experience in youth services, restorative practices, SEL education, and child abuse prevention.
· Opportunity to build professional skills in group facilitation, SEL education, and program development.
· Mentorship and supervision from experienced professionals in the field.
· Potential for academic credit (if applicable). Typically, this will require a 120-hour commitment over the course of the internship.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
· Ability to communicate, both verbally and in written form
· Must be able to work a flexible schedule and have reliable transportation to travel to multiple sites.
A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.