Position Overview 

Supervise and mentor resident male and female youth ages 10 – 17 in short-term residential shelter setting. The Youth Care Specialist will provide independent living skills through demonstration, observation, and instruction to young youth in the Residential Shelter via individual and/or in group settings. Reports to the Shift Supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Youth Care Specialist. 

Knowledge:

• Customer and Personal Service- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing youth and families with personal services. This includes youth with needs assessment, meetings quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Crisis Intervention –Knowledge of principles, theories, models, and procedures for counseling of physical/mental/emotional/behavioral dysfunctions.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Education and Training – Knowledge of principles and methods for medical instruction for individual purposes.
• Ethics – Knowledge of nursing ethics. 
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing youth and families with personal services. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and data processing

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail

Abilities: 

• The ability to communicate effectively in simple and precise terms with clients and co-workers.
• The ability to interact with persons of diverse backgrounds with tact, courtesy, and poise.
• The ability relate to customers or clients in difficult situations.
• The ability to give full attention to what people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes in procedures, conditions and to interruptions which disrupt the workflow.

Position Duties and Responsibilities 

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Youth Care Specialist

• Review, monitor and administer all client medications daily, this will take place as soon as a client is admitted to YCC Residential Program.
• Ensure Intakes, Discharges, Behavioral Management System, documentation, logs, and collection of data meets required Quality Assurance Standards and policies and procedures.
• Responsible for giving instructions to YCC clients regarding desirable health and personal habits, ensuring clients are appropriately dressed, fed, and ready for school or other activities.
• Responsible for transporting clients to off-site activities and appointments when requested by Program Manager of Residential Services and/or Shift Supervisor.
• Responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all clients.
• Responsible for completion of personal training objectives within established timeframes.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

High School Diploma and a minimum of six (6) months related experience; preferably working in a residential shelter with at risk youth. A valid driver’s license and safe driving record is required.

Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability

Basic and/or advanced computational skills may be necessary.

Physical Demands 

This is a sedentary position, and the incumbent will be required to sit approximately 70 per cent of the time. Little to moderate lifting of less than 25 lbs. may be required.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.