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. The position provides assistance to the Program Manager in creating and implementing Independent Living Curriculum and in assuming duties, as needed, during absences.  The position also provides orientation and program overview to new intakes.

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.).