Youth Care Specialist

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF SUNCOAST LLC•Largo, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Care Specialist is a direct care staff position at Providence House, FSS’s licensed group home in Largo, Florida. The role is responsible for residents’ daily activities, facility and program documentation, implementing house rules and behavior plans, and ensuring residents’ safety and well-being. The position emphasizes engaging high-risk youth and helping them overcome obstacles that contribute to placement instability. The role requires professional collaboration with staff and community partners, appropriate responses to child-safety concerns, maintaining confidential information, completing routine cleaning duties, and remaining awake and alert throughout assigned shifts. The posted schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; however, the qualifications also require the ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and to rotate shifts as needed.

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 or shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and to rotate shifts as needed.
High energy, adaptability, and flexibility with irregular hours.
Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.
Ability to assess situations and make appropriate recommendations or decisions based on child safety.
Problem-solving ability and capacity to 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 organizational levels.
Ability to maintain confidential information and remain awake and alert during any shift.
Competent written and verbal communication, strong follow-up and follow-through, and acceptance of varied lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.
Ability to use different technological platforms.
Clear required screenings and checks: Level II background screening using Live Scan fingerprints, reference check, local county background check, Florida abuse and neglect records check, substance abuse screen, motor vehicle records check, and E-Verify check.
Be insurable under the company’s automobile policy; provide a copy of automobile insurance and, if deemed a driving risk, maintain at least $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability insurance.
Provide copies of all degrees before the first day of employment.
Maintain CPR certification, complete at least 40 hours of training annually, and maintain Florida Human Trafficking and Professional Crisis Management (PCM) certifications.

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.
Provide for residents’ safety and well-being and engage high-risk youth in overcoming obstacles that contribute to placement instability.
Perform routine cleaning duties, including mopping, sweeping, dusting, and laundry.