What are the responsibilities and job description for the ILP Lead Youth Specialist position at Bethany Christian Services?
Requisition # : req15595
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) Second shift (2pm-10pm)
At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.
The Independent Living Plus (ILP) Lead Youth Specialist is primarily responsible for providing care and supervising residents in the program. This individual will serve as a resident advocate for assigned residents, while also ensuring that residents' developmental and cultural adjustment needs are met within a safe and supportive environment that enhances their ability to meet their treatment and educational growth goals. This individual will oversee ILP Youth Specialists to ensure delivery of services meet or exceed program standards, agency expectations, and licensing requirements.
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.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) Second shift (2pm-10pm)
- One time Sign-On Bonus: $500
At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.
The Independent Living Plus (ILP) Lead Youth Specialist is primarily responsible for providing care and supervising residents in the program. This individual will serve as a resident advocate for assigned residents, while also ensuring that residents' developmental and cultural adjustment needs are met within a safe and supportive environment that enhances their ability to meet their treatment and educational growth goals. This individual will oversee ILP Youth Specialists to ensure delivery of services meet or exceed program standards, agency expectations, and licensing requirements.
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.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Supervise ILP Youth Specialist to ensure delivery of services that meet or exceed program standards, agency expectations and licensing requirements;
- Build and sustain a cohesive team while cultivating a positive employee morale;
- Promote effective operations through hiring, training, and orientation of new ILP Youth Specialist;
- Conduct weekly supervision meetings with all direct reports;
- Ensure agency policies and procedures are enforced through employee evaluations, conference request, time sheets, and reimbursement vouchers;
- Actively participant in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth amongst the residents;
- Obtain and retain an adequate amount of knowledge pertaining to program, and successfully implement components on the job;
- Provide support to case managers and youth regarding the maintenance of self-sufficient living arrangements, along with enhancement of independent living skills, academic, or vocational goals;
- Work collaboratively with the ILP coach in apartment searching and application process;
- Assist newly arrived refugee youth in Independent Living Plus program through transition process;
- Ensure placements are safe and appropriate for refugee youth;
- Assist youth with applying for State ID, Social Security card, bank account, and purchasing goods during transition;
- Attend monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, issues, and/or concerns;
- Conduct work in a professional, caring, and consistent manner as outlined in program guidelines;
- Oversee the resident(s) daily routines to include mealtime, study time, outings, bedtime, assigned jobs, and other resident activity;
- Manage employee vacation scheduling to ensure adequate coverage for program service needs;
- Provide quality aftercare services up to 3 months from discharge;
- Conduct follow-up with aftercare plan at routine intervals post discharge in accordance with program guidelines;
- Maintain the ILP follow-up survey to monitor youth at required intervals post ILP placement;
- Retain accurate client records and contribute to written reports in a timely manner as outlined by program requirements;
- Serve as a back-up to the ILP coach in their absence;
- Successfully utilize the nonviolent crisis prevention intervention procedures (TCI), when needed;
- May be required to work nights, weekend and holidays;
- Complete other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s level degree in Human Services, or equivalent field of study from an accredited college;
- At least two (2) years of experience working with youth from diverse cultures, preferred;
- Bi-lingual in languages consistent with current refugee population, 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;
- Demonstrated temperament to work and care for refugee youth from various cultural backgrounds;
- Must be able to serve as a 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 and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
- 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;
- Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
- 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, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity
