Youth Development Counselor: Sun-Wed 1pm-11pm

Vista Del Mar • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $18 - $24

About The Position

GET TO KNOW US: For over 100 years, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has taken great pride in providing exceptional programs and services for children and families throughout LA County. VDM envisions a community where all children and families are equipped and prepared to live productive, fulfilling lives. We serve the most vulnerable in Los Angeles, many of whom have faced multi-generational inequities. Vista Del Mar is guided by core values of empowerment, equity, and excellence. CULTURE: Folks who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, of a marginalized gender, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression, and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. MISSION: Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives. Position Overview The Direct Care Staff Youth Development Counselor: YDC Vista Haven ORR Program supervises, protects, and cares for youth in placement. They oversee and conduct youth development activities in a culturally sensitive, trauma informed manner for youth in the YDC’s assigned cottage. The YDC ensures that youth have access to all the services they need to meet their basic needs, such as food, clothing, hygiene, shelter, and medical and dental. The YDC is responsible for documenting resident services and incident reports and maintaining health and safety logs. Available Shift MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN 1PM - 11PM 1PM - 11PM 1PM - 11PM OFF OFF OFF 1PM - 11PM

Requirements

• A high school diploma is required, and a BA or BS degree is preferred.
• One year of experience in a similar environment is preferred.
• Able to interrupt physical and verbal altercations among residents using training from the CPI-Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and de-escalation skills, provide support and care via a trauma-informed lens acquired from TSI- Risking Connections training, administer CPR/First Aid, perform.
• Basic lifting and housekeeping duties and operate a motor vehicle.
• Be at least 21 years old.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in any language preferred.

Responsibilities

• Constant supervision (1:6 staff to youth ratio), protection, and care of youth, individually and in groups, always in a manner consistent with their personal rights, to ensure safety within a trauma-informed framework.
• Ensures that youth have access to all the services they need to meet their basic needs, such as food, clothing, hygiene, shelter, and medical and dental.
• Works as a part of the treatment team to help youth develop various skills, including social, vocational, educational, hygiene, and other skills, and assists residents with strengthening their daily living skills.
• Establishes effective counselor-client relationships.
• Supports others in interacting with residents and assists youth and staff in cottage-based therapeutic activities, religious activities, outings, etc.
• Serves as an effective advocate for all youth in placement.
• Completes several health and safety reports, CCL reports, and ORR reports. Typical reports include daily room checks, religious logs, recreation logs, telephone logs, clothing inventories, client case notes, etc.
• Document all incidents during the shift as required and update the shift staff and resident specific exchange notes, significant incident/child-level event reports, and any other reporting tools provided.
• Inspect and maintain the cottage's cleanliness, including resident rooms and communal spaces, which includes logging oven cleanliness, drier and washer cleanliness, and refrigerator temperatures.
• Always maintains a professional approach with clients, colleagues, placement workers, and supervisors, as demonstrated by demeanor and adherence to dress code and code of conduct.
• Document the youth’s progress, identifying any possible need for professional services, and communicate such findings to treatment staff in a legible, professional, and timely manner.
• Participates in and/or conducts cottage group meetings and documents meeting content.
• Conduct daily living groups and write cottage reports for residents’ Treatment Plans.
• Understand and communicate policies and practices related to patient’s rights.
• Completes Special Incident/Unusual Occurrence Reports as mandated by ORR and State Licensing requirements and understands/demonstrates the requirement of reporting suspected abuse and/or mistreatment of youth under their care.
• Takes part in crisis intervention/de-escalation of residents using CPI and Risking Connections learning skills.
• Demonstrates an understanding and practice of relationship-based treatment, strength-based, Trauma-informed, and culturally/LGBTQ-sensitive approach in working with youth while

Benefits

• Full benefits offered (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• FSA/Dependent Care and Supplemental benefits through The Standard
• 403 (b) - 3% Employer contribution based off annual salary
• 4 Mental Health Days
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Up to 25% for Cell Phone Discounts with 3 Major Carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint)

What This Job Offers

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