Weekend Youth Development Specialist

About Us

Northwest Passage focuses on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our PassageWay Elements: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. We combine traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Founded in 1978, we provide high-quality care in a community dedicated to hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire. We serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Position Description

The Youth Development Specialist is responsible for providing services to children and adolescents as determined with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The position provides quality youth care and close intensive supervision of clients in a residential treatment setting. This includes a range of residential services, tracking and reporting on residents' treatment progress, and serving as a positive role model for behavior. The Youth Development Specialist position represents one of the central relationships for clients in the constellation of therapeutic activities and life at Northwest Passage.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a structured and safe living environment for youth as they participate in assessment/treatment.
• Develop, coordinate, and execute programming initiatives.
• Provide a nurturing environment with close, intensive supervision for high risk youth in accordance with least restrictive treatment measures.
• Assure residents’ basic needs are met including meals, exercise, hygiene, and sleep.
• Assure residents’ emotional needs are met in accordance with the individual treatment or assessment plan.
• Recognize and adjust communication to meet residents’ needs.
• Provide feedback that is clear, specific, timely, and respectful.
• Work with residents to provide solutions for problematic behaviors.
• Document program activities, residents’ behaviors and program participation, and significant incidents involving residents.
• Attend all staff meetings, trainings, and educational classes as required.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment.
• Understand and follow agency policies.
• Maintain an understanding of mental health concepts, psychotropic medications, and client symptomology.
• Advocate for appropriate goals, wants, and needs of residents.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in a social or behavioral science field (e.g. psychology, social work, sociology, education) or equivalent courses and/or relevant experience in a related field.
• Proven experience working with youth who have significant mental health needs.
• Demonstrated reliability, with an ability to follow through on commitments and expectations.
• Strong self-regulation skills to remain calm in stressful situations, and effective self-care strategies to support personal well-being and resiliency.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others from diverse backgrounds.
• Enthusiasm for learning and growth, and ability to receive feedback and learn from mistakes.
• Proven ability to adapt to change.
• Commitment to serving others and making a difference in the lives of youth.
• Must be able to work a 40-hour, weekend shift (sleep time included).

Values

• Quality & Adaptability
• Respect & Compassion
• Leadership & Courage
• Connection & Well-being

Benefits

• $21.00-$28.00/hour wage
• Health Insurance (no deductible)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Savings with Discretionary Employer Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (mental health benefit)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs)
• Longevity Benefit
• Relocation Assistance
• Off-Site Housing ($500/month rent), dependent on availability
• Tuition Assistance/Loan Reimbursement (available through an application and approval process)
• Unmatched real-world experience in the fields of mental health, experiential programming, and nature-based programming
• Equal Employment Opportunity Employer