Residential Youth Specialist - Part-time

Requisition #: req12709

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Hours: Part-time (20-25 hours/week) 2nd and 3rd shift openings

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

As a Residential Youth Specialist, you will be primarily responsible for providing care and supervising residents in the program. This individual will serve as a positive role model to help encourage, teach, and shape the lives of adolescent male youth in our residential treatment facility. Youth in care need guidance and influence in order to become a more productive citizen once they leave placement.

The Youth Specialist is scheduled approximately 40 hours per week, primarily on 2nd shift during the week (3pm - 11pm), and either 1st or 2nd shift on the weekends, depending on the needs of the unit. There are three youth specialists on a shift.

This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements. Benefits include: 401(k) matching, dental insurance, flexible spending account, health insurance, health savings account, life insurance, and paid time off.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build positive relationships with the youth in the program;
• Encourage positive growth in the youth;
• Intervene in a caring and consistent manner;
• Supervise youth during daily routines and activities;
• Work as a part of a team to oversee the treatment of the residents in the program;
• Obtain and retain an adequate amount of knowledge pertaining to sexual the offender’s treatment program, and successfully implement components on the job;
• Actively participant in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth amongst the residents;
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, and/or issues or concerns;
• Successful follow the treatment guidelines by intervening in a caring and consistent manner, when the need arises;
• Promptly conduct the nonviolent crisis prevention intervention (CPI) procedure, when necessary;
• Oversee the residents’ daily routines to include but not limited to meal time, study time, outings, bedtime, assigned jobs, and other residential activities;
• Serve as a residential advocate by presenting social history at staff meeting following admission as well as reviewing the legal history, family history, psychological history, school history, and identify and issues or behaviors that would warrant attention in the treatment;
• Provide residential advocacy at staff meetings by updating the team on information related to current level, length of time on that level, date of placement, length of stay, goal attainment percentages from the prior 4 weeks, school progress report, think tank or room restriction time, incident reports, assessment of overall functioning, interaction with peers and staff, and recommendation for new or revised treatment goals;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Minimum of one year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents;
• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting, preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks;
• Have the ability to serve as positive role model;
• Demonstrated ability to nurture and provide structure, support, and respect to others;
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill the essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Successfully pass an annual TB test and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also 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;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith and Mission Statement.