Full Time - Youth Engagement Specialist

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches•Safety Harbor, FL

13d

About The Position

The Youth Engagement Specialist provides direct care and supervision to a group of youth in a cottage setting. The role teaches and models social, academic, and independent living skills. The specialist relieves Cottage Parents during their time off, handling day-to-day cottage operations in their absence, and assists Cottage Parents under their direct functional supervision when scheduled to work with them. The position is directly responsible to the Unit Director, and performance is reviewed through regular supervisory conferences and performance evaluations. It is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable law. The position requires maintaining a safe, caring environment through continuous supervision, active engagement, appropriate role modeling, and adherence to agency standards, licensing or contractual requirements, and policies. The specialist supports youth development through cottage, work, educational, chapel, and recreational activities; facilitates moral, spiritual, and character development; and uses Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques. Duties also include communicating youth and cottage updates to the team, maintaining required records and accounts, supporting cottage operations and assets, and providing awake supervision during sleep hours when applicable.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Valid Florida Driver License and ability to maintain a safe driving record consistent with state laws and agency policy.
Ability to establish and maintain warm, consistent relationships with youth, parents or guardians, and Youth Ranches personnel.
Basic knowledge of group dynamics, child development, and group living.
Adequate educational background to guide youth experiencing difficulties, maintain cottage records, and monitor cottage expenditures in accordance with agency guidelines.
Knowledge and appreciation of spiritual values and ability to develop moral and ethical values in youth.
Willingness to work as a team member to support the development of youth and families served.
Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.
Ability to accept and give constructive feedback to develop personal skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Successful completion of a Level 2 background screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse is required for employment.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with youth in an educational or residential care setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain continuous supervision of assigned youth and help provide a safe, caring environment in accordance with agency standards and applicable licensing or contractual requirements.
Teach and model social, academic, and independent living skills.
Relieve Cottage Parents during their time off and handle day-to-day cottage operations in their absence.
Assist Cottage Parents under their direct functional supervision when assigned to work with them.
Support other cottage staff during the daily schedule and assume Cottage Parents’ responsibilities when they are absent.
Follow agency policies concerning discipline, family and youth rights, child abuse, and confidentiality.
Communicate youth- and cottage-related activities, updates, and concerns to appropriate team members.
Complete required paperwork, including daily notes, Medication Administration Records (MAR), weekly and monthly cottage paperwork, incident reports, and work program time sheets; maintain cottage operational documentation and accounts when necessary.
Build connections with youth by actively participating in cottage crew, work programs, education, chapel, and recreational activities.
Maintain cottage, campus grounds, equipment, buildings, vehicles, and other assets to Youth Ranches standards.
Facilitate the moral, spiritual, and character development of youth in the cottage.
Participate in and positively implement Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques.
Provide awake supervision during sleep hours for an assigned cottage when applicable.
Be flexible and assist other staff members or programs as needed or requested.
Serve as an appropriate role model for youth and fellow staff members.