Youth Development Specialist, Phoenix House
About The Position
The Youth Development Specialist serves as the primary childcare worker for assigned clients in a group home, participates in developing their individual treatment plans, and facilitates implementation. The specialist maintains familiarity with and follows approved treatment plans and programs for clients assigned to the group home, consulting with other staff to support consistency and continuity. The role fosters a stable, therapeutic environment grounded in the group home’s treatment philosophy. The specialist interacts with clients in a controlled, non-judgmental manner that promotes responsibility and self-esteem, and implements treatment plans and behavioral structures with care and respect. The specialist also supports positive communication with clients’ families, guardians, and representatives, and helps develop meaningful relationships among clients and staff. The specialist provides transportation and assistance with hygiene, daily living skills, and other personal needs; supports clients’ clothing, shelter, and basic needs; and assists with life-skills instruction. The role also includes participating in or planning recreational activities, helping maintain a safe, clean, secure, and orderly environment, reporting unsafe conditions, following emergency procedures, and maintaining required training and certifications. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification must be obtained and maintained, and physical intervention may be required in accordance with policy and procedures. The schedule is 40 hours per week, with hybrid first- and second-shift or third-shift options.
Requirements
- High school diploma required.
- Maintain certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), CPR, and First Aid.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Experience working in a therapeutic group preferred.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary childcare worker for assigned clients and participate in developing and implementing their individual treatment plans.
- Maintain familiarity with and implement approved treatment plans and programs for clients assigned to the group home, consulting with staff to ensure consistency and continuity.
- Foster a stable, therapeutic environment consistent with the group home’s treatment philosophy.
- Interact with clients in a controlled, non-judgmental manner that promotes responsibility and self-esteem.
- Implement treatment plans, behavioral systems, and other structures in a therapeutic, caring, and respectful manner.
- Foster positive communication with clients’ families, guardians, and representatives.
- Support meaningful group and individual relationships among clients and staff.
- Provide transportation and assistance with hygiene, daily living skills, personal needs, and basic needs such as clothing and a clean bedroom.
- Assist in teaching and developing life skills.
- Participate in or plan recreational activities as assigned, including motivating clients, providing hobby and skills instruction and support, and fostering a positive therapeutic play environment.
- Help maintain a safe, clean, secure, and orderly environment; report unsafe or unhealthy situations to supervisors and maintenance personnel.
- Ensure client safety by following emergency procedures and maintaining required training and certifications.
- Obtain and maintain Therapeutic Crisis Intervention certification and participate in physical intervention when required, consistent with policy and procedures.
Benefits
- Competitive wages
- $1,000 sign-on bonus
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with an annual employer contribution of $1,000–$2,000
- Health Reimbursement Account with a $1,500–$3,000 contribution depending on the medical benefit chosen
- $100 reimbursement for an age-appropriate routine preventative care exam, if covered under the employer’s medical plans
- 10–12 sick days accrued annually
- 12 paid holidays
- 12 staff appreciation activities or events annually
- Tuition assistance for winter, spring, and summer semesters
- Company-paid life insurance for employee, spouse, and children, plus AD&D insurance
- Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 4% company match
- 10% tuition discount at educational institutions
- Free and confidential counseling through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Training and development opportunities, including “Risking Connections”
- Referral program
- Monthly mileage reimbursement, as applicable
- Eligibility to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
