Youth Development Specialist

This position is responsible for the care and direct supervision of youth in the residential program ages 10-17. This position also performs a variety of tasks related to the operation of the residential program including management of youth meals; facility maintenance and ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

This position is an entry level position of the Youth Development Specialist series and, as a result, will receive close supervision.

Shifts available:

Full-Time

Sunday - Thursday 7am-3pm

Friday - Monday 6:30am-2:30pm

Part-Time

Friday-Saturday 11pm - 7am

PRN

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides direct supervision and interaction with residents to include participation in all shelter activities.
• Performs intake screening and paperwork.
• Responds to incoming telephone calls, provides information and /or crisis intervention and produce written documentation.
• Assists with the planning and leading of all recreational activities.
• Transports clients as necessary to various community locations.
• Attends all mandatory agency and staff meetings.
• Monitors division of chores and completion of chores and overall client behavior and attitude to provide daily team rating.
• Must maintain order and cleanliness of shelter and report needed repairs and maintenance to supervisor.
• Supervises the self-administration of client medications and documents in appropriate shelter records.
• Verifies medication upon intake and each shift worked.
• Consistently implements the program's Behavior Motivation system.
• Maintains client demographic information.
• Documents daily client interaction and case management contacts.
• Prepares/serves meals in cook's absence and supervise clean up as necessary.
• Coordinates/organizes activities/events for youth.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years general work experience with at least one-year full time work in a direct contact role with youth at risk or an equivalent number of work hours in a part-time or volunteer direct contact role. An associate's degree in behavioral science or related field may be substituted for two years of general work experience.
• Must demonstrate awareness, acceptance, and willingness to work with the LGBTQ population.
• Computer literacy and competency.
• Efficient planner - must be able to organize and schedule work priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and judgments with youth safety and security foremost.
• Must be able to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Must be able to accept responsibility.
• Must be able to accept and follow through on supervisory direction.
• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing.
• Must be able to establish appropriate relationships and to effectively influence teens. in manner consistent with agency culture and philosophy.
• Must be able to work with individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Must demonstrate initiative Willingness to learn and utilize with behavior management skills and techniques.
• Must possess motivation and initiative resolve parent and client conflicts.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, effective manner both orally and written means.
• Background compliant with requirements of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
• Valid Florida driver's license, clean driving record, and current automobile insurance.
• Must be able to successfully pass (with a score of 85%) a competency exam related to the understanding of positive youth development and other related elements of position requirements by end of 90-day probationary period.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The ability to lift 10-15 pounds regularly
• Frequent sitting, standing and/or walking
• Frequent stooping, kneeling and reaching
• Frequent use of hands and fingers
• The ability to hear and respond quickly to sounds
• Close, distance and peripheral vision
• Frequent driving

Level II background and Drug Screen required.