Part Time Youth Specialist I - Juvenile Detention Center

About the role

Oakland County Children’s Village is a 24/7 child-caring campus that serves neglected and delinquent youth through secure, non-secure, and community-based programs. This is an on-site position.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, support, and guide youth through their daily routines while maintaining a safe and structured living environment.
• Observe resident behavior, document progress and incidents, and actively contribute to individualized treatment plans.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to develop and implement strategies that support each resident’s needs and goals.
• Lead and encourage participation in educational, recreational, work, and other scheduled activities.
• Inspect living and sleeping areas to maintain security, identify concerns, and prevent potential incidents.
• Provide crisis intervention and, when necessary, use approved physical-restraint techniques to safely respond to aggressive or uncontrolled behavior.
• Transport residents safely to court appearances and program-related activities.
• Consistently follow administrative policies, state licensing requirements, and the mission and purpose of Children’s Village.
• Work assigned day, afternoon, midnight, and/or weekend shifts to support the facility’s 24/7 operations.

Requirements

• Must be a high school graduate or have a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Test.
• Must have passed his/her 21st birthday.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony violation involving harm or threatened harm to an individual within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of hire.
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license.

Qualifications

• Previous work experience with youths either on a paid or volunteer basis is desirable.
• College study in the area of Sociology, Psychology, Social Work or Criminal Justice is desirable.
• Considerable ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Considerable ability to follow oral and written instructions by management.
• Considerable ability to prepare and present oral and written reports.
• Considerable knowledge of residents' needs, habits, and characteristics of behavior in order to appropriately advise, instruct, and supervise residents.
• Considerable ability to cope with emergency or difficult situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with residents, other employees and the general public.
• Reasonable knowledge of residents' needs, habits, and characteristics of behavior.
• Reasonable ability to counsel, instruct, mentor, and actively supervise residents.

Skills

• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to provide direct physical care and supervision to juveniles.
• Ability to apply prescribed physical management techniques.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and/or be a passenger.

Benefits

Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire

Pay

$22.02 - $28.73

Schedule

Work assigned day, afternoon, midnight, and/or weekend shifts to support the facility’s 24/7 operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises residents throughout daily activities and ensures participation in scheduled programming, including school, meals, recreation, and other assigned activities.
• Engages youth in a respectful and professional manner, establish appropriate rapport and trust, and always maintains clear professional boundaries.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with youth, supervisors, and staff while actively listening and responding appropriately to questions, concerns, and needs.
• Makes sure resident behavior, activities, and significant incidents are observed and documented; completes accurate shift reports to ensure continuity of care and communication between shifts.
• Promotes and reinforces daily living skills, including personal hygiene, appropriate eating habits, housekeeping, grooming, and healthy sleep routines.
• Maintains continuous awareness and accountability of residents; enforces program rules, policies, and expectations consistently and fairly.
• Participates in treatment team meetings and provides relevant observations and information to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized treatment plans.
• Conducts routine inspections of living areas and sleeping quarters to promote safety and security and identify potential hazards, prohibited items, or other concerns.
• Provides crisis intervention, including physical restraint of aggressive or uncontrolled youth when necessary, using prescribed techniques.
• Utilizes effective de-escalation and conflict-management techniques to maintain a calm, safe, and structured environment during high-stress or emotionally charged situations.
• Responds to emergencies in accordance with facility procedures and emergency codes, including medical emergencies, self-harm incidents, escapes, assaults, and other critical situations.
• Collaborates effectively with supervisors and coworkers to support daily operations, maintain consistency, and promote a positive team environment.
• Maintains reliable attendance and punctuality and fulfills assigned responsibilities in a timely and dependable manner.
• Protects and maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information involving youth, staff, records, and facility operations in accordance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.
• Follows organizational policies, procedures, and established protocols; demonstrates accountability, dependability, and consistent professional conduct.
• Responsible for the cleanliness of assigned unit and any equipment used in programs.
• Drives county vehicles to safely transport residents to court hearings, medical appointments, and other authorized activities.
• May dispense medication when medical staff is not present. All medications will be pre-packed by medical staff with the resident’s name and date of birth.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Instructs by demonstrating indoor/outdoor recreational, vocational, and work activities to foster development of residents' skills and sportsmanship.
• Aids in admitting new residents to facility, following established rules and procedures.
• Conducts meal counts and records of food consumed in order to ensure accuracy and adherence to the Michigan Department of Education food funding regulations.
• Aids in searches for escapees/runaways from the facility as directed.
• Maintains inventory and accounting records as directed.
• Aids in conducting tours of Children's Village, when assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• Utilizes current countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.