Life Skills Coordinator - Youth Development Specialist II

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

The Life Skills Coordinator is responsible for implementing the overall The Covering House Life Skills Program. The Life Skills Coordinator conducts basic life skills groups daily to help youth develop skills for independent living. The Life Skills Coordinator provides a consistent, safe, and therapeutic environment for sexually exploited/trafficked girls. This position is responsible for identifying and meeting the everyday needs of girls, including housekeeping, food, shelter, security, personal hygiene, and health services. This position is responsible for implementing programs, policies and procedures in everyday activities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensuring a safe and secure environment by maintaining consistent supervision of youth.
2. Encouraging active involvement in programming developed for youth.
3. Providing intervention in accordance with approved techniques, including verbal de-escalation and physical restraints.
4. Following mandated abuse and neglect reporting procedures.
5. Providing personal assistance, appropriate medical attention, emotional support or other personal care to residential youth.
6. Dispensing medications and documenting appropriately.
7. Ensuring that all documentation related to the provision of direct services is completed in a timely manner.
8. Collaborating with peers and organization leadership to plan the delivery of therapeutic services that align with the mission and vision of The Covering House.
9. Communicating with staff regarding youth progress and youth needs.
10. Implementing and engaging youth in daily life skills.
11. Conducting life skills classes, enrichment workshops, and overseeing occasional guest workshops to provide a rich and varied environment which facilitates comprehensive life skills acquisition.
12. Collecting and managing pre-test and post-test data.
13. Developing and maintaining partnerships with community members for the purpose of increasing life-skill offerings for residential, and community-based opportunities.
14. Complying with all local, state, and federal policies, rules, and regulations.
15. Participates in on-call rotation.

COMMUNICATION

1. Communicate to all staff revised house scheduled events.
2. Provide tactful and positive communication with all other personnel as needed.
3. Maintain Clear and consistent communication with residents.
4. Utilization of current standardized forms for written communication purposes.
5. Thorough and professional communication to departing, present and incoming colleagues (written and verbal)
6. Submission of all necessary reports to supervisor prior to shift end. Reports must be completed and approved by supervisor before employee departure.
7. Maintaining appropriate boundaries with residents (including physical, emotional, personal, and professional boundaries).

DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Continuously demonstrate leadership qualities;
2. Act as a responsible role model for the residents and colleagues.
3. Willing to assist in the development of new staff.

c. Show initiative in managing and completing necessary tasks, ensure supplies and essentials are available or contact purchasing coordinator to order.

1. Resolving conflicts and negotiating with others by handling complaints in a professional manner.
2. Demonstrates ability to problem solve.
3. Settling disputes amongst colleagues and residents by utilizing the appropriate resources and de-escalation practices.
4. Knowledge and ability to utilize on-call system.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Maintain current certifications in Jireh, CPR, and Medication Dispensing.
2. Ability to cover other shifts as needed.
3. Maintain 40 hours of training annually.
4. Provide car insurance yearly as needed and maintain a Class E license.
5. Become certified as a Youth Development Professional, provided by The Covering House.
6. Provide overall constructive contributions to maintaining a positive working environment.
7. Responsible for assisting in the development and building of teams by encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
8. At all times represent The Covering House in a positive and professional manner.
9. Comply with all policies, rules and regulations established by The Covering House as a condition of employment.
10. Serve on committees, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

1. Post-secondary education in Behavioral Science field required, 1 year experience in residential facilities or work experience in a group-care setting with youth.
2. 1 year experience in Life Skills.
3. Current valid drivers license and clean driving record.
4. A staff member must be at least 21 years old.
5. May not have a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demand and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

1. Physical demands: The employee is occasionally required to walk; run; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; twist; stoop; bend; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs and push/pull or resist force during a physical restraint.
2. Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to harsh weather conditions prevalent during certain times of year. This could affect transportation, recreational activities, and outings. Shifts can be very long or unusual hours due to the needs of the facility. Must maintain a three-to-one child-to-staff ratio on campus at all times, per State regulations. May be required to work without regular breaks due to staffing, safety, stay beyond scheduled or various other issues.