Youth Mentor

Lutheran Services Florida • West Palm Beach, FL

9h • Onsite

About The Position

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is seeking dedicated Youth Mentors to join our team and make a significant impact on at-risk youth in our male and female group homes. This role involves working with challenging behaviors and providing direct support to adolescents who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma. As a Youth Mentor, you will create a supportive environment, assist residents with daily routines, and participate in recreational activities, all while ensuring their safety and well-being. This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to mentor and positively influence the lives of young people.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED or equivalency completion certification required.
• Certified CPR/First Aid.
• Certified crisis intervention.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and proof of active insurance.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.
• Ability to remain alert and responsive during all shifts, including overnights and extended hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, and climb stairs frequently throughout the day.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform physical intervention or de-escalation techniques if required, consistent with agency-approved crisis management protocols.
• Sufficient vision and hearing to observe and monitor client behaviors and ensure safety in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to operate standard household equipment (e.g., washer, dryer, kitchen appliances).
• Manual dexterity to write legibly, operate a computer, and perform light cleaning and household duties.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, including indoor residential settings and outdoor recreational spaces, in all weather conditions.
• Ability to drive and maintain eligibility to operate agency vehicles, if required for transporting youth.
• Ability to transport youth in agency van.
• Ability to accompany youth on field trips and other recreational outings.

Nice To Haves

• Post-secondary education in Human Service field preferred.
• One (1) year experience working with youth/troubled youth in an organized/structured setting preferred.
• Good organizational, written, and verbal skills.
• Dependability, discretion, and good judgment are essential.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, co-workers, and the general public.

Responsibilities

• Provide a supportive environment for youth.
• Assist children with preparing and eating meals, taking baths, maintaining hygiene, and administering medication.
• Transport individual and groups of children for appointments or field trips outside the facility.
• Provide daily security and up-keep of the facility.
• Develop, plan, coordinate, and participate in daily recreational and social activities, including outdoor programs and physical exercise.
• Consult and communicate with shift leaders, supervisors, and professional staff concerning behavior issues and the needs of children.
• Participate in the implementation and monitoring of client case plans as directed.
• Participate in various in-service training sessions and attend staff meetings.
• Assign and supervise chores and perform light housekeeping duties to ensure the residential setting is neat, clean, and orderly.
• Respond to critical incidents and emergency situations, documenting them appropriately.
• Assist with the initial intakes and discharge of youth, documenting as outlined in policies and procedures.
• Conduct group meetings with youth to discuss issues and address concerns.
• Provide instruction on appropriate behaviors and independent living skills.
• Observe and document the behavior, development, and needs of children.
• Maintain daily written records and logs of observations and concerns about individual children.
• Provide responsive, high-quality services to Community Based Care Lead Agencies, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Courts, the School Board, and other representatives of outside agencies and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Program Director and/or House Coordinator for various shifts on an “as-needed” basis.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED