Youth Care Specialist

Family Support Services•Largo, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Care Specialist is a direct care staff position responsible for the daily activities of Providence House, FSS’s licensed group home in Largo, Florida. The role includes facility and program documentation, implementing house rules and behavior plans, and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents. The position emphasizes engaging high-risk youth and helping them overcome obstacles that contribute to placement instability. The schedule is Wednesday through Saturday, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The role requires adaptability to irregular hours and shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and may require rotating shifts as needed. Staff must remain awake and alert during their shift and perform routine cleaning duties. Family Support Services’ mission is to provide safety, stability, and quality of life for children by working with the community to strengthen families. FSS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED.
At least one year of experience working with at-risk children.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to represent oneself and the organization professionally.
Ability to work irregular hours and shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and flexibility to rotate shifts as needed.
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.
Ability to assess situations and make appropriate recommendations and decisions based on child safety.
Ability to solve problems and think through critical, time-sensitive issues.
Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with residents and community partners.
Ability to collaborate with staff at all levels of the organization.
Ability to maintain confidential information and remain awake and alert during any shift.
Competent written and verbal communication skills, with strong follow-up and follow-through.
Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.
Ability to use different technological platforms.
Clear required background, reference, local county background, Florida abuse and neglect records, substance abuse, motor vehicle records, and E-Verify checks; be insurable under the company automobile policy.
Provide automobile insurance documentation and, if deemed a driving risk, maintain minimum personal auto liability coverage of $100,000/$300,000.
Maintain CPR certification, complete at least 40 hours of training annually, and maintain Florida Human Trafficking and Professional Crisis Management (PCM) certifications.
Provide copies of all degrees before the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field.

Responsibilities

Implement house rules for residents, including individual behavior management plans.
Report incidents, injuries, and other events to the appropriate parties in a timely manner.
Participate in required house and organizational meetings.
Provide feedback on residents’ behaviors, needs, and progress toward outcomes established in the Individual Service Plan.
Review youth records and placement needs thoroughly to ensure available supports are requested and received before youth supervision.
Complete assigned shift duties and responsibilities.
Complete all required trainings.
Perform routine cleaning duties, including mopping, sweeping, dusting, and laundry.