Youth Care Specialist- Part Time

Children's Network of Hillsborough•Lutz, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Care Specialist provides quality care and supervision to youth in a residential group home and supports their safety and well-being. The role includes guiding youth through daily routines, maintaining professional boundaries, encouraging growth and development, and providing supervision on and off campus. Specialists teach life and independent-living skills, support education, help prepare and serve meals, and transport youth to school, appointments, and activities. The position also requires accurate documentation, confidentiality, communication with coworkers, and maintaining a safe, orderly, and clean group home. Medication may be dispensed as prescribed after the employee is trained. The residential program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Specialists work an assigned rotating schedule of approximately 10- to 12-hour shifts, three to four days per week, which may include days, evenings, and overnight hours. Travel in and outside Hillsborough County is required. Employees must complete annual training and all training required for group-home staff by the Department of Children and Families and Children’s Network of Hillsborough.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Dependability, discretion, and good judgment.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
Strong interpersonal, communication, observation, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to build supportive, professional relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Ability to provide effective supervision, maintain a safe and structured environment, and respond appropriately to behavioral concerns, conflicts, emergencies, and crisis situations.
Patience, sound judgment, professionalism, emotional self-control, and ability to use trauma-informed approaches, de-escalation techniques, and positive behavior-support strategies.
Ability to recognize and promptly report safety or well-being concerns; accurately document incidents, observations, and services; maintain confidentiality; and follow agency policies, safety procedures, supervision requirements, and mandatory reporting obligations.
Ability to collaborate with supervisors, coworkers, families, and other service providers; manage multiple responsibilities; adapt to changing needs; and accept and apply supervisory guidance and feedback.
Ability to use agency-required electronic systems and maintain reliable attendance and schedule flexibility consistent with program needs.
Valid driver’s license, clean driver’s license check, and proof of insurance.
Must pass criminal background screening, including fingerprinting through local law enforcement/FBI/FDLE and an Abuse Registry check, and drug screening.
Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to understand instructions and agency materials and prepare clear, accurate, objective documentation.
Basic mathematical and numerical reasoning skills sufficient for routine calculations, interpreting numerical information, and maintaining records.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving; assess circumstances, identify safety concerns, follow procedures, determine when to escalate, and make timely decisions.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, reaching, moving through the work environment, participating in routine youth activities, responding promptly to safety or emergency situations, and occasionally lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items.
Availability to work assigned rotating shifts of approximately 10 to 12 hours, three to four days per week, potentially including days, evenings, overnight hours, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to travel in and outside Hillsborough County.
Complete 15 hours of online or classroom training annually; Certified Child Welfare Professionals must complete 20 hours annually. Group-home employees must also complete training required by the Department of Children and Families and Children’s Network of Hillsborough.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with youth in a structured setting is preferred.
Certified Child Welfare Professional status.

Responsibilities

Provide direction and supervision to youth during daily routines, maintaining professional boundaries and supporting growth and development through positive reinforcement.
Supervise youth on and off campus and coordinate and participate in recreational and service activities.
Teach life and independent-living skills in accordance with individual service plans.
Assist with preparing and serving nutritious meals in a family-like environment.
Transport youth to school, medical or other appointments, and designated activities.
Monitor, support, and encourage youth’s academic performance and educational success.
Maintain confidentiality of youth’s personal and medical information.
Document daily activities accurately according to established policies and protocols, and communicate effectively with other staff.
Communicate pertinent youth information and campus events to staff during shift changes.
Maintain the order, safety, and cleanliness of the group home.
Dispense prescribed medications after completing required training.
Participate in in-service training sessions and attend staff meetings.
Complete required annual and group-home-specific training.
Perform other assigned duties and requested special projects.