Youth Development Specialist- Per Diem Schedule

D A Blodgett-St Johns•Grand Rapids, MI

16h•Onsite

About The Position

D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s provides a continuum of care with comprehensive services, including counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring and residential care. These programs are built on our core belief, backed by research, that as long as children can be safe, they do best when they are with their families. D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s primarily serves children, youth and families in the greater Grand Rapids area, and some programming throughout the State of Michigan. D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all children, all families and all individuals. MISSION STATEMENT : To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support. VISION : A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family. VALUES: Exceptional Service: Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work. Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: All are welcomed, valued, and belong. Excellence: Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement. Integrity: Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results. Creativity: Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking. Passion: Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision. SANCTUARY COMMITMENTS : Nonviolence: Maintaining safety for all members of the community. Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions so we don’t hurt ourselves or others. Social Learning: Together we accomplish more, we care for one another. Democracy: Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote. Open Communication: Respecting and sharing ideas of our team. Social Responsibility: Say what you mean, don’t be mean when you say it. Growth & Change: Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve. POSITION SUMMARY: The Development Specialist is responsible for providing direct care and supervision to youth and young adults within our Campus Programs division, which includes our Independent Living program and our Residential programs. The scope of this development responsibility is quite broad. At times, the development specialist takes on a parental role, addressing the basic needs of the youth. This includes but is not limited to ensuring that each child is healthy and safe, adequately clothed and fed and that their living space is clean and orderly. In addition to these responsibilities, the development specialist is expected to offer praise and encouragement to the youth. They must also respond appropriately and therapeutically to challenging behaviors that may arise. The development specialist typically achieves these objectives through verbal de-escalation techniques, positive reinforcement, guidance, and supportive direction. At times, the development specialist takes on the role of a mentor, guiding youth in areas such as social skills, coping skills, hygiene, basic values, spirituality, and education. The development specialist acts as a trusted and patient adult, engaging in discussions about a young person's personal life, emotions, and perspectives on the world. DABSJ places a strong emphasis on building relationships between staff and youth. We believe that all effective support efforts start with warm, caring, and meaningful connections. It is the responsibility of the development specialist to develop these therapeutic relationships with youth, using the rapport established to foster and encourage personal growth. The development specialist is expected to work effectively and harmoniously as part of one or more teams within the agency. Specific work responsibilities and schedules may vary based on team assignments and the programs they are involved in.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required by the state licensing authority.
Agency prefers completed college courses in a field related to the helping profession
Valid driver’s license and good driving record
A year of experience working with and/or volunteering with children
Experience working with adolescents who have emotional and behavioral challenges is strongly preferred.
Good written communication skills.
Ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside DABSJ
Promote a positive image for DABSJ in the community and in relationship with other Agencies and their personnel.
Become familiar with and follow the code of ethics for your profession and agree to abide by the related DABSJ standards.
Possess an understanding and sensitivity to the adolescent’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics with personal qualities of warmth with the ability to establish meaningful relationships with people from various cultures.
Positive acceptance of supervision to learn and be trained in job-related functions.
Personal qualities of organizational skills, assertiveness, good judgment, conscientiousness, attention to detail and timeliness.
Good health and physical condition.
Free of communicable diseases.
A personal commitment to DABSJ’s mission, philosophy, and values.
High frustration tolerance level

Responsibilities

Developing and Maintaining nurturing and sound relationships with all youth, including maintenance of clear roles and boundaries
Ensuring the supervision, health, and safety of youth
Promoting a safe, therapeutic environment
Learning and consistently abiding to all DABSJ, group, and individual treatment programs
Effectively following and implementing Collaborative Problem Solving
Fully participating in a treatment team(s), learning from others, and allowing others to learn from your
Providing positive, mature, adult role modeling for youth at all times
Providing effective written records and communication as required by the program
Partnering with youth to promote the security, safety, and cleanliness of the campus
Attending and completing all required DABSJ training sessions
Planning, organizing, and effectively conducting therapeutic activities and recreational programs for youth
Dispensing medications according to established schedules and procedures
Assisting designated team lead in any necessary meal preparation and cooking with the homes
Conduct yourself in a manner that positively reflects upon DABSJ in the community both on and off duty
Abiding by all policies and practices at DABSJ
Completing other reasonable assignments, which may be made by any supervisor