Youth Development Specialist, Phoenix House

Klingberg Comprehensive Program Services•Plymouth, CT

23d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Youth Development Specialist serves as the primary childcare worker for assigned clients in a group home. The role participates in developing individual treatment plans and facilitates their implementation, while coordinating with other staff to promote consistency and continuity of care. The specialist fosters a stable, therapeutic environment grounded in the group home’s treatment philosophy and interacts with clients in a controlled, non-judgmental, caring, and respectful manner that promotes responsibility and self-esteem. The position provides clients with transportation and assistance and instruction in hygiene, daily living skills, life skills, and other personal needs. It also supports clients’ basic needs, including clothing and clean bedrooms, and plans or participates in recreational activities. The specialist helps maintain a safe, clean, secure, and orderly environment, follows emergency procedures, maintains required training and certifications, and participates in physical interventions as required by policy and procedures. The position offers a hybrid schedule on first and second shift or third shift, for 40 hours per week. The posting lists a $1,000 sign-on bonus and a generous benefits package.

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.
Participate in developing individual treatment plans and facilitate their implementation.
Maintain familiarity with and implement approved treatment plans and programs for assigned group-home clients; consult with other 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 structured interventions in a therapeutic, caring, and respectful manner.
Foster a positive, communicative environment for clients’ families, guardians, and representatives.
Promote meaningful group and individual relationships among clients and staff.
Provide services including transportation, hygiene assistance and instruction, daily living skills development, and support for other personal needs.
Assist in teaching and developing life skills.
Ensure adequate care for clients’ clothing, shelter, bedroom cleanliness, and other basic needs.
Participate in and/or plan recreational activities as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Assistant Supervisor, including motivating clients and supporting hobbies, skills instruction, and a positive therapeutic play environment.
Help maintain a safe, clean, secure, and orderly environment; report unsafe or unhealthy situations to a supervisor and maintenance personnel.
Follow emergency procedures and maintain required training and certifications to ensure client safety.
Obtain and maintain Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification.
Participate in physical intervention of clients as required, consistent with policy and procedures.
Maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
Maintain a valid driver’s license.

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 contribution of $1,500–$3,000, depending on the medical benefit chosen.
$100 reimbursement for an age-appropriate routine preventive care exam if covered under Klingberg’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 the employee, spouse, and children, and 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.
Employee Assistance Program offering free and confidential counseling.
Training and development opportunities, including “Risking Connections.”
Referral program.
Monthly mileage reimbursement, as applicable.
Eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.