Youth Support Specialist-Full-Time-Schedule in Description

About the role

EverForward champions trauma-informed, evidence-based care for children and families. The Youth Support Specialist is a frontline role delivering therapeutic support and daily care within our Residential Group Care program. This position ensures the consistent implementation of trauma-informed, youth-centered practices through active engagement, supervision, and mentoring of residents. The role contributes to a structured, nurturing environment by modeling healthy behaviors, supporting individualized treatment plans, and maintaining program routines and safety protocols. Working closely with clinical staff and leadership, this position is foundational to delivering high-quality, person-centered care and supporting the emotional, social, and developmental growth of youth.

Schedule

• Hours: Sunday through Thursday, and Tuesday through Saturday
• Shift options:
  • 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • 3:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Responsibilities

• Creating a safe and supportive environment through active supervision and positive role modeling.
• Guiding youth in building essential life skills, including healthy social interaction, emotional regulation, and coping strategies.
• Leading group and individual activities that promote education, recreation, social development, and community engagement.
• Supporting therapeutic programs, assisting in delivering individual and group services, and documenting progress accurately and on time.
• Collaborating on treatment plans and participating in goal-setting and progress reviews, including debriefs after weekend visits home.
• Encouraging personal responsibility by helping youth with hygiene, chores, and daily routines.
• Assisting in the daily operations of the group home, including preparing meals, basic upkeep, medication distribution, and recordkeeping.
• Actively engaging families and/or teams, sharing insights on youth progress, and fostering ongoing communication.
• Participating in team meetings, trainings, and workshops to support ongoing growth and stay current with best practices, including trauma-informed care training.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field from an accredited college or university, or a high school diploma paired with substantial experience and training in education, human services, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • At least one year of experience working with children with serious emotional disturbances (SED).
  • Experience in residential treatment, group home care, special education, or related human services environments.
  • Familiarity with trauma-informed care practices and de-escalation techniques.
  • Exposure to treatment planning, therapeutic goal setting, or interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Prior involvement in recreational programming, mentorship, or structured youth activities.
  • Experience managing challenging behaviors with empathy, consistency, and clear boundaries.
  • Competence in maintaining accurate documentation and shift communication logs.
  • Previous roles requiring team collaboration, supervision, or coordination with clinical professionals.
  • A deep sense of empathy, strong leadership instincts, and a natural ability to connect with and inspire young people.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal communication and active listening skills.
• Empathy-driven approach to youth engagement and behavior management.
• Consistent application of structure, routines, and program expectations.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model in all interactions.
• Effective decision-making under pressure, including during behavioral incidents.
• Adaptability in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Ability to follow treatment protocols and contribute to team-based care.
• Organizational skills and time management for multitasking responsibilities.
• Commitment to continuous learning through trainings and professional development.