Youth Specialist - Part-Time Second Shift

About the role

Bethany Christian Services is a nonprofit organization that operates across 29 states, focusing on ensuring children's safety, love, and connection through family strengthening, foster care and adoption support, and refugee care. The role involves supporting unaccompanied children seeking family reunification, older youth preparing for adulthood in a new country, and foster families providing temporary homes.

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in assigned activities and encourage positive interactions and growth among residents;
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, issues, or concerns;
• Follow treatment guidelines by intervening in a caring and consistent manner when needed;
• Conduct nonviolent crisis prevention intervention (CPI) procedures when necessary;
• Oversee daily routines such as meal times, study time, outings, bedtime, assigned jobs, and other residential activities;
• Serve as a residential advocate by presenting social histories at staff meetings, reviewing legal, family, psychological, school, and behavioral histories, and identifying issues or behaviors requiring attention;
• Update the team on current levels, lengths of time on those levels, dates of placement, length of stays, goal attainment percentages, school progress reports, think tank or room restriction times, incident reports, overall functioning, peer interactions, and recommendations for new or revised treatment goals;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• At least one year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents;
• Bilingual in English/Spanish;
• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Excellent customer service skills;
• Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality;
• Reliability with timely task completion;
• Positive role modeling abilities;
• Nurturing and supportive behavior towards others;
• Physical ability to fulfill essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Pass annual TB test and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Availability for night shifts, weekends, and holiday coverage;
• Basic computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Integrity and good moral character to provide appropriate care;
• Relevant experience and qualifications to work with these clients and clients with special needs;
• Properly trained and licensed, as necessary;
• Proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route;
• Valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Employer-paid long-term disability and group term life insurance.

Qualifications

• Age 21 with a valid driver’s license;
• Pass required medical examinations;
• Integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Confidentiality and trustworthiness;
• Physical stamina and flexibility to handle resident care;
• Knowledge of child welfare and mental health principles;
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and situations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match eligibility
• Generous time off (11 paid holidays, PTO Your Way, paid parental leave, separate sick and paid absence banks)
• Access to education reimbursement for those that qualify
• Comprehensive employee assistance and wellness program
• Employer paid long-term disability and group term life insurance