Youth Specialist

Description

POSITION TITLE:              Youth Specialist

PROGRAM:                          Residential Services

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Youth Specialist is responsible for, in conjunction with the Residential Supervisors, implementing and maintaining the day-to-day operation of the Therapeutic Group Home through the creation of safe, productive treatment program. They provide direct care, supervision, behavior management, proactive interventions, and recreational programming for the children. They will participate in the planning and implementation of programming specifically designed to encourage developmental growth for the clients.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Youth Specialist is required to:

• Provide a safe, orderly, and nurturing living experience for children in care.
• Ensure that goals/objectives of each client’s treatment plan are implemented as part of the daily activities.
• Document each client’s response to care.
• Successfully complete the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training and maintain that certification. 
• Successfully complete the DCF Medication Administration training and maintain that certification. 
• Immediately notify Residential Supervisors or other clinical staff regarding crisis situations and following the Incident/ Accident reporting protocol and policy.
• Be familiar with and implement all program policies and procedures. 
• Participate in all meetings as requested by the Team Leader which may include staff, resident, treatment team or school.  
• Attend and participate in all Agency and inter-agency meetings as requested. 
• Provide the application of appropriate behavior management practices as well as utilizing various therapeutic strategies in the areas of crisis management, proactive interventions, trauma informed programming, inter-resident conflict resolution and other situations as they may arise. 
• Be ready to perform any tasks that may be reasonably assigned by the Residential Supervisors and/or the Team Leader that are needed to maintain the viability of the Therapeutic Group Home.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Youth Specialist must have the ability to maintain the utmost confidentiality of both agency and client matters. They must understand and be able to display the clinical knowledge and expertise necessary to perform crisis intervention. They must be able to display knowledge and expertise about the populations served by the Therapeutic Group Home. They must be physically capable of participating in physical interventions (i.e., restraints and therapeutic holds).  Must be capable of working as a part of a team and be able to effectively communicate with both families and professionals (in writing and verbally). Working knowledge of the greater Waterbury area is a must. Bilingual (Spanish – English) may be required.

The Youth Specialist must possess, readily obtain, and consistently maintain the following licenses/certificates/ training:

• CPR and First Aid training (through a certified provider)
• DCF Medication Administration Certification
• DCF approved TCI training
• Periodic Physical and PPD testing as required
• Qualified Food Operator as requested
• DCF Background History Check (CPA)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum high school diploma, associate degree preferred.
• At least three to four years (3-4) of experience (or educational equivalent) working with children.
• Ability to deal with crisis situations, implement a behavior modification program, maintain appropriate boundaries and work as a team member.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity and childhood development preferred.

Salary : $19