Youth Support Specialist-Full-Time Weekday Overnight

Description

The Youth Support Specialist plays an essential frontline role in the therapeutic care and daily support of youth in our Residential Group Care program. This position is responsible for ensuring the consistent implementation of trauma-informed, youth-centered practices through active engagement, supervision, and mentoring of residents.

Position Responsibilities

• Creating a safe and supportive environment through active supervision and positive role modeling.
• Leading group and individual activities that promote education, recreation, social development, and community engagement.
• Serving as a liaison between clinical staff and residents, 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, helping youth with hygiene, chores, and daily routines.
• Assisting in the daily operations of the group home, from preparing meals and basic upkeep to medication distribution and recordkeeping.
• Actively engaging families and/or teams, sharing insights on youth progress, and fostering ongoing communication.
• Participating and attending team meetings, trainings, and workshops to support ongoing growth and stay up-to-date with best practices, including training in trauma-informed care.

Requirements

• Education: A 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) is required. Experience in residential treatment, group home care, special education, or related human services environments is also required. Familiarity with trauma-informed care practices and de-escalation techniques is necessary. Exposure to treatment planning, therapeutic goal setting, or interdisciplinary collaboration is preferred. Prior involvement in recreational programming, mentorship, or structured youth activities is beneficial. Previous roles requiring team collaboration, supervision, or coordination with clinical professionals are advantageous. A deep sense of empathy, strong leadership instincts, and a natural ability to connect with and inspire young people are essential.
• Professional Competencies: Strong interpersonal communication and active listening skills, an empathetic approach to youth engagement and behavior management, consistent application of structure, routines, and program expectations, effective decision-making under pressure, 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, and a commitment to continuous learning through trainings and professional development.