Youth Care Specialist (YCS) - The Pines

Shrub Oak International School•Lake Mohegan, NY

11d•$25•Onsite

About The Position

Shrub Oak International School (www.shruboak.org) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education. The Pines at Shrub Oak is a 24-bed, coeducational, interim residential placement for students on the autism spectrum who may need significant psychiatric support and stabilization before transitioning to a less restrictive environment. Students at the Pines receive psychiatric services in addition to academic and life skills instruction in a safe, supportive environment with a 2:1 student to staff ratio. The Youth Care Specialist (YCS) is an hourly position reporting to the Residential Manager or Evening/ Overnight Supervisor. In collaboration with education, clinical, and residential staff, the YCS provides front line direct care and administrative support for daily operations. The YCS is responsible for guiding and mentoring students, assisting with emergency response procedures, and collaborating with all members of the Shrub Oak staff. Serving as a coach and mentor for students, the YCS works closely with colleagues to create and maintain an inclusive community and foster specific skill development to meet the individualized needs of The Pines student population. The YCS will also hold shared responsibility for helping to create and maintain a DBT milieu within The Pines, and will support, and help facilitate DBT skills groups for youth. Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgement is required.

Requirements

High-School Diploma and relevant combination of post-secondary education and experience in residential, psychiatric, or academic settings required; bachelor’s degree preferred
At least 2-years minimum of relevant or related professional experience required
Exceptional written communication skills, specifically involving documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and other related administrative tasks
Ability to adapt approach of care based on presenting needs of students
Exceptional verbal communication skills
Skilled in managing challenging behaviors and executing de-escalation techniques
Comfortability managing crisis behavior and working collaboratively with other staff around crisis management
Ability and willingness to learn new skills
Ability to display grit and resilience and maintain composure
Strong ability to build relationships with students and peers
Strong ability to process and retain information and to think critically and analytically during crisis
Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
Ability to handle highly challenging behaviors, including those aggressive in nature
Computer proficiency and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other software
Ability to get TCIS trained and complete/maintain all required trainings

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working in special education and behavioral intervention strongly preferred
DBT experience preferred

Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day direct care needs, operations and programs of students at The Pines
Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students, including understanding their unique interests, needs and goals, as well as the student body generally, to maintain a positive and cooperative environment
Support student learning and skill development both in and outside of the classroom
Complete administrative tasks, including but not limited to, assisting with move-in/move-out of students, shift logs, incident reports, intervention plans and progress tracking
Proactively work with students in crisis to de-escalate situations using The Pines protocol
Attend to and report all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention in a timely manner to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with The Pines policies/procedures
Facilitate on-campus and off-campus programming and community development based on the needs of each student outlined by the student’s Individualized Trans-disciplinary Education Plan (ITEP) and support plans
Advise, support and mentor students on various life skills in collaboration with other disciplines within The Pines
Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team including documenting efforts and progress
Develop, present, track, and evaluate educational programs for students
Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including all staff orientation/training
Support other department responsibilities as needed and determined
Work cohesively with all members of the student’s care team