Salary:
€12,000 per annum
Hours:
15 hours per week, Tuesday–Saturday (afternoons & evenings)
Contract:
22-month fixed-term contract (until end of 2027)
Location:
YMCA Dublin Community Hubs – Aungier Street (Dublin 2), Parkside (Dublin 13) & De Verdon Place, Clarehall (Dublin 17)
Reporting to:
Community Development Coordinator
How to Apply:
Send your CV and cover letter to
with the subject "Community Development Coordinator Application"
Closing Date:
20th January, 5pm
We're hiring a
Detached Youth Worker
to work across our Community Hubs in
Aungier Street (Dublin 2), Parkside (Dublin 13) and De Verdon Place, Clarehall (Dublin 17)
.
The Detached Youth Worker will deliver high-quality, youth-led engagement in community settings across YMCA Dublin communities. Working primarily outdoors, the post-holder will build positive relationships with young people who may not access centre-based programmes, identify emerging needs and risks, and provide practical guidance, referrals and early intervention.
The role also contributes to the planning, documentation and delivery of wider youth work activities, supporting YMCA Dublin's commitment to creating safe, connected and inclusive communities.
Key Responsibilities
• Deliver detached youth work sessions in community settings, engaging young people aged 10–24 in their own environments
• Build positive, trusting relationships and act as a supportive and consistent adult presence
• Provide brief interventions, guidance and signposting around wellbeing, safety, substance use, relationships, school engagement and conflict
• Support youth-led initiatives that promote positive decision-making and personal development
• Identify emerging risks, trends and needs in local communities and escalate concerns appropriately
• Refer young people into YMCA Dublin programmes, mentoring, youth spaces and external supports
• Uphold YMCA Dublin's values, trauma-informed and strengths-based youth work principles
• Maintain accurate records of engagement, outcomes and attendance
• Participate in supervision, reflective practice, team meetings and training
• Work alongside the Community Development Coordinator and Youth Services team to strengthen outreach and engagement
• Represent YMCA Dublin positively in the community and at events
• Support community activities, seasonal programmes and wider youth work initiatives
• Follow all YMCA safeguarding, health & safety, lone working and data protection policies
• Attend mandatory training including safeguarding, first aid and trauma-informed practice
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
• Recognised qualification in youth work, community development or a related field
• Minimum 1 year's experience working with young people in a youth or community setting
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience supporting young people experiencing low wellbeing, social exclusion or antisocial behaviour
• Understanding of informal education, group work and one-to-one support
• Calm and confident in challenging or unpredictable situations
• Good ICT skills for record keeping and communication
• Motivated, reliable and able to use initiative
• Empathetic, non-judgemental and youth-centred
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
• Available to work evenings and weekends
• Willingness to undertake further training
Desirable Criteria
• Level 8 qualification in Youth Work, Community Development, Social Care or related field
• Experience in detached or outreach youth work
• Creative or activity-based skills (e.g. sport, art)
• Full, clean driving licence