Oak Bridge - Substitute Youth Care Specialist

Positions Summary:
The Youth Care Specialist oversees the day-to-day and/or overnight operation of the facility.  The position provides individualized youth care, planning, supervision of daily and/or nightly routines, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention to high risk youth and their family-like support, and behavior management.  The position provides close, intensive supervision to youth and works work closely with community services to facilitate connection and referrals to youth and family-like support with other community agencies, juvenile court, and other support services.  The position participates in team decisions regarding treatment of clients and issues to facility operation. 

Education and Experience Requirements:

• At least 50% of the youth care staff must have a Bachelor’s Degree OR at least 2 years of college and one year of work in a residential care program for adolescents; relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.  A Bachelor’s Degree in in behavioral or social science may substitute for experience.
• Those not meeting requirements above, must have a high school diploma or GED AND one of the following:
  
  • One year of successful experience working with youth in a group setting;
  • One year of successful experience as a foster parent for 3 or more children;
  • Two years of college

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively in the following areas: Cultural diversity, team-based models; crisis management; systematic theory; Positive Youth Development approach; and adolescent development.
• Ability to work effectively may be demonstrated through academic experience, job experience, references, and interview answers.
• 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.
• Must value working in a multicultural/diverse environment.
• A commitment to ongoing training and a willingness to receive and act upon feedback.
• Ability to climb and descend at least two flights of stairs.
• Ability to stay awake and alert throughout entire assigned shift (which are approximately 13 hours). 
• Ability to participate in and complete frequent facility walk-throughs as part of contract requirements while on shift. 
• Ability to accurately read, record, and interpret information and maintain paper and computerized information.
• Ability to use a computer with basic computer literacy in Word, Excel, Zoom and Google Gmail/Docs, as well as the ability to access, enter, and update data into web-based systems (ie: timesheets). 
• 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 staff, supervisors and management.
• Ability to effectively monitor safety and demonstrate group management skills, as well as effectively de-escalate potentially chaotic or volatile situations. This includes the ability to stay calm and emotionally available in an intimate residential environment serving highly traumatized youth experiencing homelessness, mental health symptoms and chronic alcohol/drug abuse. 
• Ability to exercise tact, independent discretion and judgment within program guidelines in working with a variety of people.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment and to act on the agenda of the program.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in working with others and in handling confidential information.
• Ability to attend scheduled shift, be punctual for scheduled shift and meetings, and be in a condition that ensures staff are able to assume responsibilities of position.
• Ability to problem solve, exercise independent judgment within program guidelines, and respond to crisis situations.
• Manual dexterity and physical capability to perform functions considered routine in a shelter environment, such as bend, stoop, kneel, reach, lift up to 20 lbs. (including overhead), and perform routine office tasks such as writing, phone use, filing, copying, and use of computer keyboard.

Other Requirements:

• Washington residency preferred. 
• 21 years of age or older per Washington State contract requirements. 
• Day and swing-shift positions require driving an Agency vehicle so valid driver’s license for State of residency and driving record meeting Agency’s driving approval criteria are required. If driving a personal vehicle for work purposes must also have and maintain valid personal auto liability coverage ($100,000/$300,000 level highly recommended).  Driving is not required for overnight positions, but personal vehicle allowing for occasional travel within Vancouver is preferred.  All employees who drive for work purposes, regardless of whether driving a personal or agency vehicle and regardless of whether driving with or without clients, are required to complete the agency’s driving approval process before driving for work.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training is required on first day of employment. 
• 1st aid and CPR certification.  If employee does not have then they will complete process within 2 weeks of employment.
• Food handler's card. If employee does not have then they will complete process within 2 weeks of employment.
• TB test within 30 days of employment.
• Must pass DSHS criminal history check.
• Crisis intervention and stabilization services for high risk youth and their family-like support.
  
  • Provides 24-hour intake when needed.
  • Provides immediate crisis intervention by phone or face to face contact.
  • Conducts intake and assessment interviews.
• Provides crisis intervention and information and referral for families and or support persons of high risk youth.
• Oversees and monitors placement of high risk youth.
  
  • Assess appropriateness for professional shelter placement.
  • Maintains active communication with professional shelter staff.
  • Provides or arranges for necessary back up services including transportation and daily planning.
• Provides a nurturing environment and close intensive supervision and security for high risk youths in a shelter facility.
  
  • Manages day to day and/or overnight interactions and crisis situations constructively, ensuring physical security and emotional nurturing and growth of youth.
  • Supports and monitors house and program rules through individualized assessment and assignment of appropriate natural consequences that enhance self-esteem and acceptance of responsibility.
  • Helps residents develop healthy daily wake up and bedtime routines.
  • Teaches chores and supervises their completion, modeling cooperation and involvement.
  • Plans, purchases, and prepares nutritious meals and/or snacks, according to USDA and program guidelines. 
  • Conducts house recreational and social activities enhancing skill acquisition of fun, as well as increase exposure to both new and cultural experiences.
• Participates in the physical maintenance of the shelter facility.
• Oversees day to day and/or overnight operation of facility for high risk youths.
  
  • Assess physical condition of facility and performs necessary maintenance to ensure compliance with agency, public health, DSHS, state and local fire marshal standards.
  • Provides security for and dispenses prescribed medication.
  • In addition, may upon consultation with supervisor, be assigned or select an area of responsibility which will assist in the team effort to provide and     maintain a safe, physical facility.
• Provides individual conversations and group work for high risk youth as needed.
  
  • Facilitates house meetings to plan activities, discuss house issues, review accomplishments, and resolve conflicts in a manner which enhances development of a positive peer culture.
  • Facilitates group sessions assisting individual youth in skill development in specific target areas of treatment plan.
  • Conducts individual consultation sessions regarding placement plan for each youth.
• Provides active liaison, communication, and education of juvenile court, community youth services and other public agencies or interest group.
  
  • Initiates and maintains active professional contact with other youth serving agencies, particularly those who send or receive referrals.
  • Provides community education and may include public appearance regarding high risk youth, family issues and program values.
  • Conducts all interactions with public or community agencies in a professional manner.
• Assists in development of assessment and behavior plan for all youth.
  
  • Participates in team process for each client’s assessment, behavioral and/or      ILS plan.
• Provides program orientation for new clients.
• Performs assigned record keeping responsibilities in a professional and timely manner.
  
  • Makes daily entries into client’s log, recording observations of client’s behavior.
  • Completes necessary paperwork and reports as a team member as a team member of the Youth Care Team.
  • Writes periodic incident reports and other needed assessments as designated by a supervisor.
• Participates in treatment team activities including weekly team meetings, monthly all team meetings and staff trainings.  
• Actively participates in individual supervisions.
  
  • Participates in individual supervision with supervisor.
  • Participates in the mandatory program staff and all team meetings.
  • Participates in program or Janus committee meetings as assigned by the supervisor.
  • Special meetings or training events as required by supervisor, program director or executive director.
• Provides emergency first aid on an as needed basis.
• Models and encourages direct professional communication among staff and maintains appropriate client/worker relationships.

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 children, adolescents, adults, and families. 
• May involve time in excess of routine schedule and overtime, including various shifts and/or 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. 

This position description is intended to give the reader a general idea of the overall purpose and the main activities and responsibilities that are intrinsic to this position. While this description is intended to be representative, it is not intended to be limiting.