Buckman House - Substitute Youth Care Specialist

Positions Summary:

The Youth Care Specialist position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of a residential independent living treatment program for males, ages 17-21, who are re-entering the community from close custody juvenile correction institutions. 

This position's schedule is dependent on available shifts in the program, including day, swing, and overnight shifts.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in social work, juvenile justice, psychology, sociology, or related OR equivalent education, experience and/or training which is defined, at a minimum, as one year work experience AND two years education, training, or additional work experience.  [Note: No less than 50 percent of Direct Care Staff shall have a Bachelor’s Degree or 2 years’ experience working with youth]

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Genuine concern for young people and the ability to treat all people with dignity and respect, and openness to learning and implementing a Positive Youth Development approach to youth work.
• Ability to work effectively within: culturally diverse populations; team dependent models; crisis management; strength-based theoretical orientation; adolescent development; and family reunification.  
• A commitment to on-going training and a willingness to receive and act upon feedback.
• Ability to accurately read, record, and interpret information and complete written documentation that meets contract and program guidelines.
• Ability to provide visual and auditory supervision of program and youth.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including youth, families, staff, supervisors, and community partners.
• Ability to stay calm and emotionally available in an environment serving young people who require a high level of supervision and redirection from staff.
• Ability to exercise independent discretion and judgment within program guidelines.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-dependent environment and to act on the agenda of the program.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries working with youth and in handling confidential information. 
• Ability to climb and descend at least two flights of stairs.
• Ability to escort and supervise clients in the community which may require standing and walking up to an hour at one time.
• Ability to stay awake and alert throughout entire assigned shift and to perform routine dorm checks and facility walk-throughs.
• Ability to effectively monitor safety and demonstrate group management skills and effectively de-escalate potentially chaotic or volatile situations.
• Ability to regularly attend scheduled shift, be punctual for scheduled shift and meetings, and be in a condition suitable for assuming responsibilities of position.
• Manual dexterity allowing performance of routine office tasks such as writing, phone use, filing, copying, and use of computer keyboard.
• Manual/physical capability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach, as well as occasionally lifting up to 20lbs (including overhead) in order to perform functions such as accepting donations or unpacking groceries.
• Ability to perform and/or supervise routine household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, washing and folding laundry, emptying trash, sweeping/mopping, etc. 

Other Requirements:

• Driving is preferred. All employees who drive for work purposes must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for state of residency, have a driving record that permits coverage under the corporate auto liability policy, and complete the agency’s driving approval process before driving for work. If driving a personal vehicle for work purposes drivers must also have personal auto liability coverage ($100,000/$300,000 levels strongly recommended). Employees are not to drive for work purposes until they have received written authorization to do so.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training is required on first day of employment and annually thereafter.
• Must complete Mandatory Abuse Training within the first 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.
• Provides emergency first-aid, as needed, and must have and maintain standard first-aid/CPR certification.
• Must pass criminal history background check.
• Food Handler's Certification required within two weeks of hire.
• Must obtain National Provider Identification Number through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System within 5 days of hire.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meets with supervisor and/or primary staff on routinely scheduled basis to review and discuss client cases. 
  
  • Completes independent living skills assignments as needed.
  • Assists Primary Staff in creating and maintaining Independent Living Curriculum. 
• Provides a nurturing environment and close intensive supervision and security for delinquent male adolescents in residential treatment facility.
  
  • Manages day-to-day interactions and crisis situations constructively ensuring the physical security and emotional nurturing and growth of house residents.
  • Supports and monitors house and program rules through individualized clinical assessments and assignment of appropriate consequences that enhance self-esteem and acceptance of responsibility.
  • Helps residents develop healthy daily wakeup and bedtime routines.
  • Assures daily school and work attendance and/or appointments and models their importance.
  • Assures attendance at medical, dental, counseling, or other social service appointments.
  • Teaches creative, nutritional meal preparation and supervises cleanup routines.
  • Teaches chores and supervises their completion modeling cooperation and involvement.
  • Conducts house recreational and social activities enhancing skill acquisition and fun.
• Provides group work for house residents as needed.
  
  • Facilitates house meetings to plan activities, discuss house issues, review accomplishments, and resolve conflicts in a manner that enhances development of a positive peer culture.
  • Facilitates group counseling sessions assisting individual clients in skill development in specific target areas of comprehensive treatment plan.
• Performs assigned record keeping and BRS responsibilities in a timely manner.
  
  • Performs daily logging assignments.
  • Writes periodic incident reports and follow ups as directed or as needed.
• Provides security for and dispenses prescribed medicine.
  
  • Insures that medication is dispensed at the prescribed time and logged in the appropriate location.  
• Oversees day-to-day operation of residential treatment facility for male delinquent adolescents.
  
  • Assesses physical condition of facility and performs necessary maintenance to ensure compliance with public health, OYA, state, and local fire marshal standards..
• Participates in treatment team activities, including weekly team meetings and staff meetings.
  
  • Contributes pertinent information regarding the client and their treatment.
• Provides backup assistance, as needed or requested to Primary Direct Care Specialists when needed.  
• Provides emergency first-aid on an as-needed basis and maintains current standard first-aid certification.
• Models and encourages direct, professional communication among staff members and facilitates development of a positive staff support network.
• Performs other program-related duties as assigned by Assistant Supervisor, Case Manager, Program Coordinator, or Executive Director.

Working Conditions:

• May involve exposure to communicable diseases, including a variety of illnesses and infections such as the common cold, TB, Hepatitis, flu, meningitis, and HIV.
• May involve exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized or emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, adults, and families.
• May involve time in excess of routine schedule and/or overtime, including evening/overnight, weekend hours, and/or holidays.
• May involve exposure to information that graphically describes physical, sexual and emotion abuse of children and may experience vicarious trauma. 
• May require working and providing services at locations other than program site (i.e., schools, café’, clinics, etc.,) and may, therefore, be exposed to environments not under agency control (i.e., second-hand smoke, varying hygiene practices, etc.).