YOUTH SPECIALIST 1

SUMMARY:

Evening hours - (7p.m./7 a.m. ) 8A.M/4P.M. (12 AM/8AM) 3PM/11PM

Youth Specialists 1 (YS1) admit, supervise, and release youth and implement the day-to-day activities. One Youth Specialist will be assigned as the lead for each shift and will make decisions in the absence of the Team Leader.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or equivalent and two-year paid experience performing duties and responsibilities working with youth are required for this position

APPLICANT MUST:

Be at least 21 years of age, pass an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI), criminal background investigation and not be listed in any Registry of Sexual Offenders (fingerprinting process)

Pass a drug test

Provide a certificate of good health (physical) from a doctor

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS:

A. Youth are supervised and safe at all times in a home-like environment.

• YS1 will provide emotional support to shelter youth and other team members

• YS1 will document all activities and behavioral observations of youth according to agency policies and procedures

• YS1 will respond to all Critical Incidents (as defined by agency policies and procedures), and will accurately and promptly report such incidents to the Shelter Team Leader

• YS1 will give special attention and consideration to wake-up, meals, bed time, clothing, personal items and transitions

Expectation: Youth are always supervised.

B. Maintain a competency-based and solution-focused approach to working with young people while in residence at the Youth Emergency Shelter.

• YS1 will encourage youth to use the reflection room and/or the porches for quiet time and observing nature

• YS1 will involve youth in planning daily program activities including recreation, skill building, and field trips

Expectations: YS and team members at the Youth Shelter will help youth build self-esteem creating a personal vision of being successful, competent, and having the ability to build upon the strengths and resources they already possess.

C. Assures youth are properly admitted to the Youth Emergency Shelter and receive services per an individual treatment plan during their residency.

• YS1 will ensure that each youth knows his/her rights

• YS1 will ensure that each youth has been advised of Youth Emergency Shelter’s living expectations and routines

• YS1 will ensure that treatment plans are followed and include a discharge plan

• YS1 will ensure that group and individual skill-building activities are conducted daily

Expectations: Each youth will be screened, admitted, and discharged as required by licensing, funding agreements and agency policies and procedures.

D. Assures youth’s case records are complete and properly maintained.

• YS1 will ensure that each youth’s case record is properly updated and maintained per agency policies and procedures

• YS1 will make contact with youth’s parents and/or guardians as necessary or required

Expectations: At the end of each shift, youth’s case records, and the Youth Emergency Shelter Daily Logs are current, accurate, and legible as well as contain a complete record of activities and services. Crisis phone calls and appropriate referrals will be made.

E. Assures agency’s commitment to confidentiality and security of youth’s information.

• YS1 will adhere to the agency’s confidentiality policies including those related to HIPAA, privacy, conflicts of interests, and other private information as described in Pivot’s Team Member Handbook

Expectation: All client files and private information are kept confidential and secure at all times.

F. Additional duties as assigned by the Shelter Team Leader.

• YS1 may be asked to assist the Shelter Team Leader in the orientation process for new YS employees, agency interns and volunteers

• Other duties as requested by the Shelter Team Leader, or others, on an as-needed basis

Expectation: Youth Emergency Shelter team members will step up and do what is needed for the Youth Emergency Shelter at all times.