Youth Development Intern

Summary Job Description: 

The Youth Development Intern supports residential staff in maintaining a structured, safe, and engaging living environment for youth. Under direct supervision, the intern will gain exposure to residential operations, youth engagement strategies, trauma-informed supervision practices, and group-based programming. This internship is designed for students pursuing careers in social work, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, or youth development.

Principal Responsibilities: 

Under supervision, the intern will:

• Assist staff in engaging youth in scheduled educational, recreational, and life-skills activities.
• Support structured supervision practices using agency safety standards (e.g., “Eyes on, Ears on” philosophy).
• Observe and learn behavior management and de-escalation strategies.
• Support residents with homework or structured study time.
• Assist in maintaining an organized and respectful living environment.
• Participate in shift activities and team discussions when appropriate for learning.
• Support documentation tasks such as activity logs under staff guidance.
• Attend required trainings and supervision meetings for professional development.
• Interns will not independently supervise youth, provide crisis intervention, transport residents, implement discipline systems, or be responsible for unit safety decisions.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the internship, the intern will:

• Demonstrate foundational youth engagement and group supervision skills.
• Apply trauma-informed care principles within a residential setting.
• Develop awareness of crisis prevention and de-escalation strategies.
• Strengthen professional boundaries and ethical decision-making skills.
• Gain exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration within residential treatment.
• Develop basic documentation and communication skills in a human services setting.
• Identify career pathways within residential care, child welfare, and youth services.

Minimum Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in or recent graduate of a program in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Interest in working with vulnerable or at-risk youth.
• Professional maturity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to commit to 12–20 hours per week, including some evenings.
• Willingness to complete required background checks and agency orientation.
• Driver’s license preferred but not required for internship placement.

Travel Requirements:

This internship is unpaid and credit-bearing, in accordance with each participating school’s academic requirements.

This position may require travel between 2 to 3 residential programs located in Queens, Staten Island, or Brooklyn. Travel to St. John’s administrative offices for meetings, trainings, etc. is also required.

Disclaimer: 

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.

Internship Structure and Supervision: 
This position is a structured educational internship. Interns are not assigned independent caseloads, are not counted toward staff-to-youth ratios, and do not provide independent clinical, supervisory, or crisis intervention services. All activities are conducted under the supervision of designated staff in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.