Youth Development Specialist

About the role

The Youth Development Specialist (YDS) is responsible for ensuring children receiving residential services are physically and emotionally safe while providing support, empathy, feedback, and direction. YDS will serve the population of children who may exhibit non-compliance with authority, physical aggression, self-harm, non-verbal behavior, and assistance with hygiene and other activities of daily living. YDS staff help children and adolescents develop critical internal and external assets to facilitate and support healthier behaviors and emotional regulation, in accordance with individual treatment plans developed by program therapists.

Responsibilities

• Ensure children are physically and emotionally safe
• Provide support, empathy, feedback, and direction
• Serve children exhibiting non-compliance with authority, physical aggression, self-harm, non-verbal behavior, and assistance with hygiene and other activities of daily living
• Help children and adolescents develop critical internal and external assets
• Facilitate and support healthier behaviors and emotional regulation
• Work with children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, including those with developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, substance use or dependency symptoms

Requirements

• A high school diploma with some college education in psychology, social work, sociology, youth and family studies or related field preferred
• Experience working with children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, including those with developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, substance use or dependency symptoms
• A positive acceptance of supervision to learn and be trained in job-related functions
• The ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside the Agency
• The ability to promote a positive image for the Agency in the community and in relationships with other Agencies and their personnel
• A valid driver’s license and a good driving record with a reliable vehicle available at all times
• An understanding and sensitivity to the client’s socioeconomic characteristics with personal qualities of warmth and the ability to establish meaningful relationships with people from various cultures
• The capacity to make sound decisions, have effective oral and written communication, and good organizational skills
• Competence in computer use and keyboarding skills
• A high frustration tolerance level and assertiveness and self-direction

Qualifications

• Pass a central registry clearance check and criminal background check to be eligible for employment

Skills

• Ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside the Agency
• Positive acceptance of supervision
• Effective oral and written communication
• Good organizational skills
• Computer use and keyboarding skills
• High frustration tolerance level and assertiveness and self-direction

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays Off
• Paid Time Off
• 403B Retirement Opportunity
• Flexible Scheduling
• Opportunity to learn and grow from working with a diverse population of children and families
• Access to a robust training system
• DABSJ is able to provide CEUs for onsite trainings
• Reimbursement for trainings
• Support from our robust EAP (emotional, organization skills, financial planning, etc.)

Pay

Beginning Pay Range: $21.00

Schedule

This Posting is for multiple openings on 2nd and 3rd shift.