Youth Services Supervisor (Youth Group Leader)

Working with the Division of Youth Services involves creating a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in day treatment and residential programs. To succeed, you must be empathetic, nonjudgmental, cooperative, encouraging, able-bodied, professional, and respectful, with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assume a leadership role in directing, developing, monitoring, and maintaining quality treatment services; provide direct supervision to Youth Services Workers.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff members of the treatment teams; assist in training, career development, counseling, appraisals, discipline, and scheduling.
• Conduct and participate in team, leadership, and performance meetings in accordance with policy/procedure; lead weekly youth group meetings.
• Serve as the "group leader" in guiding group interaction processes; interact critically and constructively with staff to develop and implement successful treatment techniques.
• Assist in overseeing an outdoor program, instruct youth in outdoor skills, and evaluate their application in scheduled activities.
• Communicate with court and community-based staff regarding each youth's progress, placement plans, and family issues; prepare reports on youth progress and adjustments.
• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, ensuring their safety, personal conduct, care, education, and therapy. Awareness Supervision is defined as maintaining visual and auditory contact with youth at all times for swift, appropriate response.
• Intervene in youth medical emergencies, including performing first-aid and CPR.
• Maintain security, including intervening in physical restraints during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain control.
• Keep staff informed of significant behavioral conditions of individuals or groups.
• Work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime; maintain regular attendance and respond to crisis situations.
• Transport and escort youth in everyday and emergency situations.
• Perform other assigned tasks.

Requirements

• One or more years of experience as a higher-level Youth Services Worker (Youth Specialist II) with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System and a high school diploma or equivalency.
• OR a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least 15 earned credit hours in Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work and one or more years of professional experience in juvenile treatment involving group or individual counseling.
• OR a Bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years of youth treatment experience and/or relevant certification. (Substitutions may be allowed.)
• Possession of a valid driver’s license at all times.
• 24 earned graduate credit hours in the specified areas may substitute for required experience.
• Work experience in residential treatment programs (casework, group counseling, juvenile rehabilitation, probation and parole, or social work for youth ages 12–17) may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required degree.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Cafeteria plans
• Defined pension plan
• Generous leave and holiday time

Pay

The current rate for this position is $2,262.37 semi-monthly. Selected individuals may receive a higher rate based on pay differentials (e.g., shift or time-of-service pay). Some positions working qualifying evening or night shifts in a residential facility receive a $2.00 per hour shift differential.