School Youth Worker - Mikkelin kaupunki - Mikkeli, Finland

The Mikkeli City Basic Education Department is seeking a school youth worker for a permanent position at Saimaanportti Comprehensive School starting August 10, 2026. School youth workers operate as part of the school's educational community and work closely with the city's social and health services, student welfare services, child protection, and other social and health care services, as well as with two other school youth workers. During the summer, they participate in a collaboration network supporting youth participation, preventing social exclusion and dropout, and assisting students in the transition from 9th grade to secondary education. The school youth worker enhances the school's positive environment and supports the resilience of young people through various activities. The goal is to accompany young people and their families, especially in cases of frequent absences, and to coordinate multidisciplinary efforts. Additionally, the youth worker participates in planning and partly implementing emotional and interaction education and lesson-based activities, as well as other community-based student welfare work. The aim is also to foster a sense of community within the school and strengthen feelings of belonging and participation. The work also involves early identification of loneliness, supporting students who feel lonely, and boosting their self-esteem. The school youth worker develops new methods and models based on student needs and is a safe adult who has time to engage with young people during school hours and, if necessary, remotely and digitally. The youth work also meets young people outside school hours if needed. Qualifications include a suitable higher education degree from a university of applied sciences or an equivalent previous qualification at the vocational college level. We require relevant education, good cooperation skills, experience in youth work and collaboration with schools or within schools, a developmental approach, understanding of multidisciplinary and multi-professional work, and individual and group guidance skills. Working hours are 38.25 hours per week, and salary is according to KVTES. The work may include occasional evening and weekend work (e.g., parent evenings, school celebrations, and events). Before starting, the selected candidate must present a criminal background check as specified in section 6, paragraph 2 of the Criminal Records Act (for work with children). The selected candidate will be on a trial period. Acceptance of the position requires consent to drug testing. Applications are submitted via the electronic application form through Kuntarekry by July 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Attachments must include degree certificates and proof of qualification in PDF format.