Youth Treatment Specialist
Specialized Services Division – Bakari Youth Residential Care Center

Position Summary: Exciting opportunity to work in a therapeutic milieu environment serving youth at State licensed residential care center serving male youth, ages 13-17. The Youth Treatment Specialist embraces working one to three with youth teaching skills and empowering youth through a 6-month treatment program. Youth treatment specialists provide supervision of the youth and are responsible for implementing the daily schedule of activities. This includes teaching and role modeling skills, providing group educational activities, recreational activities, educational support, and serving as role model for youth.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a treatment specialist in the milieu supporting therapeutic interactions by coaching skill use throughout daily activities, modeling appropriate behavior, teaching and reinforcing use and generalization of skills through a token economy system.
• Use evidence-based best practices for youth with mental health, substance use and life needs. This includes the innovative Integrated Treatment Model (ITM) including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, youth centered, and culturally reverent approaches while celebrating youth’s development and identity.
• Use motivation and engagement strategies to encourage youth involved in systems such as the Division of Youth and Family Services and Department of Children and Families to participate in treatment programming and involvement in program activities.
• Co-facilitate Dialectical Behavior Therapy groups and other group topics pertaining to healthy relationships, fatherhood, independent living skills, substance use education, and cultural identity development curriculums.
• Organize, participate, and monitor scheduled activities for youth (one-to-three), engaging them in specific activities both on-site and off-site programming including but not limited to various clubs, school, art activities, recreation, community outings, and field trips.
• Support youth’s education by serving as a learning coach in the classroom on-site and at school through an interactive, and competency based educational model.
• Always provide active sight and sound supervision to youth and families with a complex needs.
• Assess youth behavior for risk to self and others or behavioral changes within the treatment milieu and communicate with supervisory and/or clinical staff regarding appropriate support as needed.
• Perform milieu management and coaching with youth experiencing emotional dysregulation and/or crisis according to their treatment plans including one-on-one support for the plan for extra help.
• Calmly and responsibly respond during crisis situations and intervene to de-escalate using trained and approved methods and techniques of verbal and physical intervention to maintain safety in the environment.
• Interact with youth in a professional, positive and therapeutic manner according to policy, procedure, training and agency values.
• Work closely as part of a team to maintain clear communication with other staff to ensure youth receive high quality and seamless care.
• Observe and document youth participation in activities and interactions with others per program standards (youth logs and youth related reports) in an electronic database.
• Assist youth by transporting and attending medical appointments, court, community appointments, and family visits.
• Complete building or structural functions as required, assisting with meal preparation, general building cleanliness and organization.
• Monitor and support youth in completing activities of daily living such as chores and health and hygiene standards.
• Maintain youth and family confidentiality within all written and verbal communications.
• Adhere to State licensing requirements.
• Adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimal Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent, bachelor's degree preferred.
• Be at least 21 years old (at least 2 years older than the oldest resident).
• Schedule requires flexibility with a rotation of first and second shifts including weekend coverage.
• A minimum of one year of experience serving children with mental health needs.
• Working knowledge of computer applications preferred.
• Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of youth and their families.
• Knowledge and skills to work with youth age 13-17.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements preferred.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, drug test, and driver’s license check.

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Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports directly to the Bakari Center Supervisor, and works closely with the Bakari Center Team. Direct interaction with the youth being served by the program and their families, project partners, and Milwaukee County.

Personal Attributes: Follow agency Code of Conduct and adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources including Milwaukee County Division of Youth and Family Services, Wraparound Milwaukee, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Corrections. Conduct self in an ethical manner. Maintain professional and respectful relationships with all WCS staff, youth and families, and all external funding sources and community partners involved with Bakari Center. Show sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic, and disability needs. Embrace and demonstrate a commitment to agency values and mission.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working knowledge of positive child/youth development; patience and understanding of difficult life situations; the ability to interact with youth and/or parents in a calm and professional manner; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations; perform basic computer functions; use time efficiently and effectively; ability to multi-task.

Working Conditions:

• State-Licensed Residential Care Center
• Most of the work is done throughout the building and in the community
• Local travel as required fulfilling essential functions of the position. Ability to provide coverage as needed.
• Ability to serve youth who have experienced a great deal of trauma and express their needs through behaviors.

Schedule:

• Full-time or part-time
• Flexible schedule, a rotation of first (8:00am-4:00pm) and second shifts (3:00pm-11:00pm)
• Weekend rotation required
• Holiday rotation required (premium for working holidays)

Physical Demands: Duties require activity while supporting or interacting with youth in the program. Staff may be required to use (trained) physical interventions if there is immediate physical harm posed to youth or staff. Ability to lift 30 pounds. Driving is required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• serving youth with mental health needs: 1 year (Required)
• working with youth, ages 13 - 17: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• driver's license with insured vehicle (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)
• Night Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person