Group Home Youth Caregiver

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community • Scottsdale, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision by the Group Homes Supervisor in the Social Services Department, provides daily care, supervision, and life-skill support for the living needs of children and youth in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Group Homes. Engages resident children and teenagers in a trauma informed manner who may be suffering from trauma. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt.

Requirements

• Graduation from High School or a GED equivalent required.
• Three (3) years’ experience working in child welfare, youth group homes, or other residential program.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within the first six (6) months of employment from the date of hire and maintain continuous certification.
• Must possess the Handle with Care verbal and physical deescalation techniques and Triple P Positive Parenting Program or earn them within the first six (6) months of employment from the date of hire.
• Must be physically capable of participating with children and adolescents in camping, hiking, recreational and other physically challenging activities.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the “Community Code of Ordinances”, Chapter 11, “Minors”, Article X. “Investigation of Persons Working with Children”.
• Prior to hiring as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing.
• Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.
• Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Nice To Haves

• An associate degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Childhood Development or closely related course of study preferred.
• Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position will be considered.
• Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Responsibilities

• Supervises all children and teenagers residing in the SRPMIC Group Homes. Attends to their needs during day, evening, and overnight as well as completes all shift responsibilities. Serves as a positive role model using Trauma Informed Care approaches to meet the physical, emotional and social needs of children and teenagers who must live in out-of-home care.
• Facilitates small group discussions for children and teenagers on various topics using a culturally sensitive approach. Teaches life skills based on the age of the child, and development in a hands-on manner. Demonstrates self-regulation skills, self-care practices, healthy coping skills, and mindfulness practices to teach the children to do the same.
• Participates in Community-based prevention education, life skills workshops, cultural events in the Community.
• Provides on-the-job training for newly hired employees and conducts peer training as requested.
• Maintains the Group Homes in a warm, safe, clean and orderly fashion in accordance with licensure standards. Inspects the group home and the grounds on each shift for safety, cleanliness and house security to ensure that children are in a safe and warm environment while maintaining a high standard of cleanliness. Participates in annual licensure inspections to maintain compliance.
• Supervises meals and their preparation to ensure proper nourishment. Takes advantage of "teaching moments" to train and educate children in healthy meals and snack choices. Follows all Food Handler’s guidelines and practices proper hand-washing techniques. Assists with grocery shopping as needed.
• Intervenes appropriately to help children deescalate from heightened behaviors and learn healthy coping mechanisms. Helps children and teenagers identify healthy coping skills and implement skills in their daily lives. Manages children’s behavior using appropriate techniques as trained. Maintains annual training. Disciplines children appropriately by using positive reinforcement to assist children with healing from their trauma.
• Completes and maintains written documentation, case files and other confidential material. Records census count as required by policy. Reports behavior, medical and other information in appropriate logs and forms. Submits recommendations to improve youth outcomes and assists other team members to do the same. Communicates in a Trauma Informed manner, verbally and in writing. Completes medication documentation accurately.
• Confers with Social Workers, Therapists, Crisis Workers, Case Managers, medical personnel and others in a proactive, positive manner. Assists with dispensing medications as needed, calls in refills, and confers with pharmacy. Attends psychiatric evaluations, medication reviews, medical, dental and vision appointments, school meetings, and Child and Family Team Meetings while providing valuable input for the child or teenager’s strengths and needs. Acts as a mentor for children and teenagers, providing guidance, active listening, encouragement and support. Acts as a mandatory reporter for any disclosures of suspected abuse or neglect and follows policies and procedures on reporting disclosures.
• Acquires and maintains a working knowledge of SRPMIC Group Home policies, procedures and practices. Assumes accountability for obeying and enforcing the policies, procedures and practices. Consults with supervisory and peer staff in problem solving or clarifying, interpreting, and implementation of Group Home policies.
• Drives youth to and from activities, visits and appointments in Tribal vehicles.
• Ensures the supervisor is informed of Group Home events, happenings, incidents and that written reports and shift notes are submitted on time as required.
• Establishes and promotes a cooperative, harmonious team environment that encourages teamwork, communication, interdependence and ethical behavior.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to maintain and enhance program and departmental operation.

Benefits

• Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED