Youth Mentor

Community Partners in Action • Hartford, CT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Community Partners in Action (CPA) is hiring a Youth Mentor for the REGIONS Staff Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth in Hartford, Connecticut. The program provides residential treatment for up to eight male youth in a home-like, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-specific, linguistically appropriate, strengths-based, and relationship-driven environment. Its mission is to improve youths’ social, physical, and emotional well-being and therapeutically interrupt the cycle of offending. The individualized treatment approach aims to help youth develop a positive self-image, effective coping skills, confidence, positive relationships, and behavioral change, and to return to their communities better equipped to succeed. The youth served are considered amenable to treatment and at reduced risk to public safety.

The Youth Mentor provides direct supervision and care, supports youth in daily activities, and helps maintain a safe and therapeutic program environment. The role works with the REGIONS treatment team and facilitates therapeutic programming under the supervision of the Rehabilitation Therapist. Selected candidates must complete and pass approximately seven weeks of pre-service training followed by facility shadowing. Training covers skills including suicide prevention, CPR, First Aid, and Safe Crisis Management, including approved restraint techniques. The position carries possible exposure to injury from assaultive or abusive youth and communicable diseases. Evening and/or night shifts, weekends, holidays, and likely mandatory overtime are required.

CPA describes itself as a mission-driven organization committed to equity, inclusion, systemic change, and criminal justice reform. It offers comprehensive benefits, with eligibility varying by work schedule.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED or higher.
• Experience working with at-risk or court-involved adolescents and in residential treatment programs; an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a related internship may be considered in lieu of work experience.
• Understanding and knowledge of gender-specific, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate issues and needs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making, and crisis-management skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with a multicultural population.
• Belief that people can change and that individuals in need deserve quality services and an opportunity to succeed.
• Valid Connecticut driver’s license and reliable transportation; ability to transport clients to appointments and into the community.
• Capacity to become medication and Safe Crisis Management certified.
• Ability and willingness to work evening and/or night shifts, weekends, and holidays; additional hours and/or overtime may be needed, and mandatory overtime is likely.
• Ability to attend and pass all phases of approximately seven weeks of pre-service training followed by facility shadowing.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and related communicable disease issues.
• Regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish/English ability is preferred.
• Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
• An associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a related internship may substitute for relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and care and assist youth with daily activities, including school and groups.
• Maintain a safe, strengths-based, gender-responsive, trauma-informed, linguistically appropriate, and culturally sensitive environment.
• Maintain accountability for youth locations and follow agency and program policies and procedures governing facility operations.
• Mediate and resolve youth problems using relational and strengths-based practices consistent with policies and procedures.
• Use approved verbal and/or physical intervention skills as necessary; de-escalate and use restraint techniques when needed to address risk of harm to self or others. Do not restrain youth to prevent AWOL or minor property destruction.
• Use program behavior motivational procedures as needed.
• Use DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) coaching with youth and conduct groups to eliminate negative behaviors.
• Monitor youth visits and maintain professional boundaries with youth and their families and visitors.
• Maintain and complete accurate logs and forms as required.
• Facilitate therapeutic programming under the supervision of the Rehabilitation Therapist.
• Reinforce each youth’s individual treatment plan and assist with discharge planning as part of the REGIONS treatment team.
• Conduct formal and informal counts and complete internal and external facility security and safety checks.
• Complete all pre-post assignments.
• Apply knowledge of universal precautions and related issues, including communicable disease risks.
• Model pro-social behaviors for youth and staff.
• Establish and maintain professional boundaries with staff, youth, and providers.
• Participate in all required training.
• Conduct pat-downs of youth and visitors to maintain security.
• Maintain regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Transport clients to appointments and into the community.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees working at least 25 hours per week, with eligibility beginning after 60 days of employment.
• Eligibility to participate in the 401(k) plan after 60 days of employment.
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage for employees working at least 25 hours per week.
• Voluntary benefits: critical illness coverage, identity theft protection, pet insurance, prepaid legal services, personal accident insurance, supplemental short-term disability, and whole life insurance.
• Generous vacation, personal, and sick leave.
• 13 paid holidays each year.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Supportive workplace environment focused on employee health, wellness, and meaningful work.

What This Job Offers

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