Youth Care Specialist
Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC · Kissimmee, FL · 3 wk ago
On-siteHealthcareFull-time
About the role
The Youth Care Specialist position at Kissimmee Youth Academy supervises a group of 7-10 youth, ensuring their safety and well-being while guiding them in developing internal controls for long-term success. Ideal candidates are compassionate, patient individuals looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and monitor the activities of a group of youth, maintaining constant awareness of their whereabouts
- Ensure safety and security through adherence to procedures on movement, security, contraband, headcounts, and reporting
- Utilize group counseling techniques, individual relationships, positive discipline strategies, and crisis intervention when necessary
- Represent youth needs and progress to treatment teams and provide progress reports
- Facilitate daily meetings (“huddle-ups”) to encourage accountability and teamwork
- Support classroom teachers by reinforcing educational content in living units
- Encourage and support youth engagement in activities and programs that promote learning and personal growth
- Document daily shift activities and population counts, refer special needs or medical concerns, and communicate key events to incoming shifts
- Participate in required training and professional development
- Report incidents or concerns regarding youth or staff conduct
- Perform other duties as assigned or needed
Requirements
- A high school diploma or equivalent required; two years of college coursework in a social or human services field preferred
- Two years of experience working with youth preferred (if no college coursework)
- Strong verbal communication skills; able to relate to youth in a professional, non-patronizing manner
- Group counseling and leadership skills
- Analytical thinking and sound judgment
- Certification in First Aid, CPR, and crisis intervention required during probationary period
- Ability to document clearly and objectively
- Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds
- Extensive walking and standing required
- Must be able to respond quickly to youth altercations, self-harm risks, or escape attempts
- Must be able to participate in physical activities with youth, indoors or outdoors
- Must be free from communicable diseases as defined by the state
Qualifications
- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record required
- Must meet state criminal background check requirements
Skills
Strong verbal communication skills, ability to relate to youth in a professional, non-patronizing manner, group counseling and leadership skills, analytical thinking, sound judgment, certification in First Aid, CPR, and crisis intervention, ability to document clearly and objectively, physical fitness to participate in physical activities with youth, and freedom from communicable diseases.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with immediate vesting
- Paid time off (PTO) and 7 paid holidays (earn 4 hours of PTO per pay period)
- Free RX delivery on most medications
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Roybal Employee Assistance Program
- Supportive, mission-driven work environment