Youth Development Specialist (2nd Shift)

St. Charles•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

Youth Development Specialists design and implement opportunities for youth to learn and practice new skills in a therapeutic 24-hour care environment. They assist with planning and monitoring daily activities in the milieu and provide supportive services according to youth service plans and program goals. In the Educational Support role, staff also help plan and support instruction in the educational setting, and organize and facilitate educational enrichment, groups, activities, and community service during school days and non-school days throughout the year. The role combines educational and behavioral support with therapeutic supervision and programming. Staff work collaboratively with school and program staff, support clients and families during community activities, document client progress and incidents, and help maintain a safe and productive living and learning environment. The position may involve work on other living units or shifts as needed, travel of approximately 10% using a company vehicle, and potential physical intervention or exposure to blood products.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
At least 1 year of experience with at-risk youth.
Ability to attend initial and ongoing training that meets agency, program, and licensing standards.
Ability to obtain and maintain childcare certification.
Ability to rotate shifts if needed and work on other living units as needed.
Ability to demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity, responding respectfully and effectively to people across cultures, socioeconomic characteristics, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to operate a panel van to transport clients.
Valid Wisconsin driver's license and proof of liability insurance.
Ability to use a vehicle for work-related duties in accordance with agency insurance liability standards.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Basic computer and keyboarding skills.

Responsibilities

Provide instructional and behavioral support to students and provide instruction in the absence of a teacher.
Monitor school attendance and address off-task behaviors appropriately.
Represent the agency in home-school transition meetings and team meetings as needed.
Collaborate with school staff to ensure safe and productive learning environments.
Interact with clients in a positive and therapeutic manner in accordance with agency policy, procedures, training, and guiding beliefs.
Actively supervise clients at all times within assigned staffing ratios.
Facilitate client activities and daily routines, including unit groups and programming planned by the Activities/Program Manager.
Provide therapeutic counseling to groups and individual clients according to program standards.
Support clients, their families, and ancillary service providers during community-based activities as indicated by the program.
Maintain and document regular contact with outside individuals and agencies providing or associated with client services.
Observe, assess, and document client activity in accordance with agency and program standards, including client logs, incident reports, and behavior management logs.
Attend child/family team meetings and reviews and provide verbal and written input.
Maintain the physical plant in accordance with agency and licensing standards.
Protect client confidentiality in written and verbal communications.
Facilitate and accurately document clients' self-administration of medications in a timely manner.
Adhere to agency policies and procedures and support the goals of the agency mission and vision.
Perform other duties as assigned.