Job Information
YSS Mental Health & Wellness Education Coordinator (54439) in Ames, Iowa
Salary Range $44,000.00 Salary
Position Type Full Time
Job Shift Day
Education Level 4 Year Degree
Category Prevention/Mentoring
We Are YSS!
Turn compassion into life-saving impact.
YSS is looking for an empathetic, trauma-informed, and grounded Mental Health and Wellness Education Coordinator to help foster hope, connection, and healing in our communities. In partnership with the Mental Health and Wellness Education Manager, this position supports the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of our Mental Health & Wellness Education programs.
Working closely with YSS teams, school districts, community partners, and local coalitions, the Coordinator helps build meaningful relationships that foster trust, learning, and belonging. Through compassionate, evidence-based training and outreach, this role supports individuals, families, and communities impacted by mental health challenges and suicide—empowering them with tools, understanding, and pathways to support.
At its heart, this work is about creating safer, more connected communities by building sustainable, locally driven prevention efforts that honor lived experience, elevate resilience, and promote well-being for all.
What You'll Do...
Provide mental health and suicide prevention education through workshops, presentations, and community events.
Coordinate and facilitate evidence-based prevention programs (ASIST®, safeTALK, Hazelden Lifelines®).
Partner with schools and community organizations to expand outreach and prevention efforts.
Support youth engagement and amplify youth voice in community initiatives.
Supervise and support assigned staff, interns, and volunteers.
Manage program coordination, data collection, and required reporting.
Participate in meetings, maintain certifications, and stay current on best practices.
Support summer programming and other duties as assigned.
This is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.
What We Provide...
We believe in your potential, we meet you where you are, and we invest in your future. Beyond the meaningful work, YSS provides the following benefits:
Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture.
Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment.
Competitive salary
Comprehensive benefits.
Health insurance
Voluntary dental insurance
Voluntary vision insurance
Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
Professional liability insurance coverage
Flexible spending account/health savings account
Supplemental compensation award
Generous Paid Time off and Leave
Four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
Volunteer time off
Paid holiday leave
Birthday holiday
Wellness Program Opportunities
Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames
Employee Assistance Program for all employees
Flu shots
Mental health support
YSS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
403(b) retirement offerings
If this sounds like work you’d be proud to do—and a team you’d want to grow with—we’d love to hear from you. Let’s do meaningful work, together.
What We Ask...
We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit .
MUST HAVES - Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, child development, sociology, or a related field.
Minimum of two years of relevant experience in youth development, mental health, prevention education, or community programming.
Willingness to obtain required certifications within designated timeframes (ASIST® T4T, safeTALK T4T, Youth Mental Health First Aid T4T, and others as needed).
SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications
Proven experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including youth, families, schools, and community partners.
Experience working with youth in group or educational settings and facilitating sensitive conversations about mental health and suicide.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills; able to build trust with youth, families, schools, and community partners.
Excellent organizational, time management, and documentation skills.
Experience working with youth in group settings.
The IDEAL candidate:
Lived experience with mental health challenges or suicidal ideation to foster deeper understanding and connection with those served.
Be rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
Bring humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
Speaks a language in addition to English (especially one spoken in our communities).
Who You Are...
You approach your work with empathy, patience, and curiosity, creating safe spaces where youth, families, and communities feel seen, heard, and supported. You are confident facilitating sensitive conversations about mental health and suicide, while adapting your approach to meet the unique needs of each audience. Collaboration comes naturally to you—you build trust with colleagues, schools, community partners, and diverse stakeholders. Most of all, you are motivated by meaningful work that strengthens communities, uplifts youth, and creates real, lasting impact.…
We Celebrate Your Story...
Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can inspire real change . By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Your journey matters . If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others , we warmly encourage you to apply.
Who We Are...
We’re YSS - one of Iowa’s oldest & largest nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive. With life-changing programs, an enthusiastic leadership team, and our brand-new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re growing fast and thinking big . Check us out at yss.org!
At YSS , we celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences that each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer , we’re dedicated to creating a respectful, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can grow and succeed. And we’re always working to do better together.
YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.
Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system. So be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and your spam/junk folder too). Got questions? Email yss@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.
Keywords: Mental health, Suicide prevention, Trauma-informed, Wellness education, Youth engagement, Community outreach, Evidence-based programs, Resilience, Hope and connection, Prevention programming, Public speaking, Facilitation, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Collaboration, engagement