Vocational Instructor

Vocational Instructor – Residential Youth Services

Location: Okeechobee, FL

Job Type: Full-Time

Pay: $50,000 - $55,000

About Youth Opportunity & Everglades Youth Academy

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at-risk youth. Everglades Youth Academy in Okeechobee, Florida, is a secure 60-bed Youth Academy serving males ages 13 to 17, providing trauma-informed mental health and substance abuse treatment. The program combines clinical therapy, education, restorative justice, therapeutic recreation, and life skills training. Youth typically remain in care based on individualized treatment outcomes, participating in individual, family, and group therapy; victim impact awareness; vocational preparation; and enrichment activities such as art, music, and recreation. Small group living units and licensed dietitian-managed meals support emotional stabilization and community reintegration.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with Immediate Vesting
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays – earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period
• Free RX delivery on most medications
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment
  
  

About The Role

The Vocational Instructor is responsible for providing occupational instruction to further the development and career readiness of our youth by providing classes that focus on specific trade areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides valuable knowledge in specific trade areas to youth and oversees their work and progress.
• Organizes assignments and sets up equipment and material for youth.
• Supervises the safe and proper use and operation of necessary equipment, materials, and supplies used in the production process or service ensuring quantity and quality standards in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
• Plans and conducts group discussions in each specific trade area.
• Responsible for taking inventory of all materials before and after each teaching session.
• Responsible for ensuring custody and security requirements are met when youth are in the instructor’s care.
• Establish and maintain necessary records.
• Collaborate with leadership on the progress of each youth.
  
  

Other Duties Include

• Maintain a high standard of role model behavior for youth.
• Participate in training and development activities as required.
• Report any acts, incidents or conditions that reflect the possibility of inappropriate youth-to-youth or staff-to-youth relationships.
• Report any use of physical force and all unusual incidents per YOI and customer agency guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in a related field
• Two years’ experience working with youth in a structured setting
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screening
  
  

Preferred

• Experience working with youth and adolescents in a residential or therapeutic setting
• Experience with state or local Department of Juvenile Justice and group work techniques is a plus.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable
• Able to actively engage in physical recreation with youth
• Must be able to transport youth or staff as needed
• Must be free of communicable diseases as defined by the state
• Must pass PAR (Professional Assault Response) evaluation and certification
  
  

Other Requirements

• Valid state driver’s license
• Must meet state criminal background check requirements
• Must meet company auto insurance and driving requirements
  
  

Apply Today

Make a difference with us. Apply through Indeed or visit www.youthopportunity.com/yourfuture.

Youth Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.