Youth Specialist - Second Shift

Bethany Christian Services USA • Grand Rapids, MI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Rooted in our Christian faith, Bethany Christian Services works to ensure children are safe, loved, and connected through family. Across 29 states, we strengthen families, support foster care and adoption, and walk alongside refugees with compassion. Here, living out your faith means using your gifts to bring hope and make a lasting impact. As a Youth Specialist, you’ll walk alongside unaccompanied children as they seek family reunification, older youth preparing for adulthood in a new country, and foster families who give these children a home away from home. We love God and we love people. Love like that motivates us to cast a big vision and believe that, together, we can change the world through family. For 80 years, our faith has inspired us to provide every child and family the safety, love, and connection they deserve. At Bethany, our culture is driven by five core values: We’re motivated by our faith. We support one another. We champion justice. We pursue excellence. We’re in it for the long haul.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Minimum of one year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks;
• Have the ability to serve as positive role model;
• Demonstrated ability to nurture and provide structure, support, and respect to others;
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill the essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Successfully pass an annual TB test and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• This position requires the availability for night shifts, weekends shifts, and holiday coverage;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred;
• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting, preferred;

Responsibilities

• Actively participant in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth amongst the residents;
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, and/or issues or concerns;
• Successful follow the treatment guidelines by intervening in a caring and consistent manner, when the need arises;
• Promptly conduct the nonviolent crisis prevention intervention (CPI) procedure, when necessary;
• Oversee the residents’ daily routines to include but not limited to meal time, study time, outings, bedtime, assigned jobs, and other residential activities;
• Serve as a residential advocate by presenting social history at staff meeting following admission as well as reviewing the legal history, family history, psychological history, school history, and identify and issues or behaviors that would warrant attention in the treatment;
• Provide residential advocacy at staff meetings by updating the team on information related to current level, length of time on that level, date of placement, length of stay, goal attainment percentages from the prior 4 weeks, school progress report, think tank or room restriction time, incident reports, assessment of overall functioning, interaction with peers and staff, and recommendation for new or revised treatment goals;
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including the ability to work night shifts, weekends, and holiday shifts;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Experience a team environment with other professionals who are motivated by faith, support one another, pursue excellence, and are in it for the long hau
• Access to training, professional development, and career growth opportunities
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match eligibility
• Generous time off (11 paid holidays, PTO YourWay, paid parental leave, separate sick and paid absence banks)
• Access to education reimbursement for those that qualify
• Comprehensive employee assistance and wellness program
• Employer paid long-term disability and group term life insurance

What This Job Offers

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