Youth Support Specialist

New Directions Youth & Family Services • Town of Lancaster, NY

1d • $20 - $21 • Onsite

About The Position

Provides guidance & support to the youth in a community-based AOBH. New Directions Youth & Family Services’ Residential Services program provides 24/7 care for youth in need of consistency, safety, and support. Staff create therapeutic, trauma-informed environments that help young people learn, grow, and prepare for long-term success.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED
• One to two years related experience and/or training; or Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to work and interact effectively with youth, families, staff and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
• Ability to interface with people (groups and individuals) and communicate within various mediums (logbooks, E-mail, telephone).
• Must have a valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance and meet the criteria for driving set forth in the New Directions Driver’s License policy and Auto Insurance policy.
• Ability to pass annual physical for Category 3 job classification in accordance with New Directions Employee Health policy.
• Must comply with Agency safety standards and be responsible for own actions and conduct concerning safety and healthy working conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Awakens children each morning and ensures youth are dressed, fed, and ready for school or other activity.
• Gives instructions to youth regarding desirable health and personal habits.
• Plans and leads recreational activities and participates or instructs youth in games.
• Provides unit residents with direction and discipline according to unit and agency policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of NYSOCFS.
• Makes minor repairs to clothing.
• Escorts youth to designated activities.
• Performs housekeeping duties in youth living area. Supervises housekeeping activities of other workers in assigned section of institution.
• Provides supervision of youth on living unit according to individual needs as determined by Program Coordinator and Manager.
• Works cooperatively as an employee of the agency and a member of unit treatment team to maintain therapeutic milieu and actively contributes to Living Unit design.
• Is available to residents for crisis intervention, assistance in decision making, life space counseling, fosters a holistic system approach to treatment, etc.
• Delivers or assists in provision of independent living skills training.
• Interacts in a manner consistent with NYSDSS Regulation #1441.19 Appropriate Custodial Conduct in order to be an appropriate role model.
• Provides additional coverage on unit as needed in order to assure a proper staff ratio is maintained at all times.
• Maintains unit recording procedures and completes other paperwork as required by agency, living unit, and NYSOCFS.
• Interacts with and is available to families of youth, sets appropriate limits as determined by supervisor, agency and procedures.
• Encourages academic achievement by supervising homework, being supportive, etc.
• Assists in carrying out medical directives, treatment and instructions from Health Services.
• Designs and facilitates daily unit groups.
• Maintains Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification and First Aid/CPR Training as provided by Agency.
• Attends all mandatory in-service training, team meetings, and regularly attends and participates in supervision meetings. Attends other treatment-oriented training, seminars and workshops as appropriate to broaden and strengthen child care skills.
• All duties as assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• 401k with up to 3% agency match
• 120 hours of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
• Consistent schedule for full-time employees; flexible scheduling available for on-call staff
• $250 bonus after 6 months of employment
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement

What This Job Offers

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