Lead Youth Specialist

Company: Samaritas
Location: Grand Rapids
Posted on: November 19, 2020

Job Description:

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Job Summary

Provides direct oversight to Youth Specialists as well as assistance and guidance to youth transitioning between Residential Housing and foster care or independent living in Staff Supported Housing.

Duties and Responsibilities

Create and maintain shift schedules of Youth Specialists in Residential housing. Shift coverage a minimum of two shifts per week and as necessary for contract ratio compliance.

Provide oversight of Youth Specialists duties and shifts assigned to maintain coverage and home compliance.

Collaborates and consults with Program Manager/Foster Care Supervisor to administer corrective actions, disciplinary steps, and performance management.

Provides direct supervision to Youth Specialists in the absense of the Program Manager/Foster Care Supervisor.

Facilitate regular team and individual Youth Specialist meetings.

Maintain adequate awareness of house operations, house needs, and any staffing issues.

Maintain all house and youth logs and checklists required by contract to ensure compliance.

Monitor activities of youth to ensure their safety and well-being. Report non-compliance with house rules or behavioral concerns to the designated person or persons.

Maintain communication with youth to ensure adjustment to program expectations, and assist with management of house reward system.

Participate in “house meetings” to review house rules, review planned activities or discuss other needs of house/group.

Participate in treatment planning meeting with each youth as needed or requested.

Report safety hazards and needed repairs within home and grounds to designated person or persons.

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Job Qualifications

Education, Training, and Licensure/Certification

Bachelor’s degree in human services and 2 years’ experience in a child caring institution; Or

Two years of college course work in human services and 3 years of work experience in a child caring institution; Or

High school diploma and 4 years of work experience in a child caring institution.

Experience

Experience working in a group home or residential setting preferred.

Experience working with youth preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Ability and willingness to display compassion and sensitivity to youth.

Ability to deal with a variety of circumstances; ability to recognize problem and respond and/or take appropriate action.

Ability to work creatively and effectively in team setting as well as independently with minimal supervision.

Ability to effectively communicate with others on an interpersonal level.

Ability to understand the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the youth served.

Ability to guide youth in understanding and applying basic life management skills.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

Ability to use basic math skills.

Ability to read, speak and legibly write English language with proper use of punctuation, spelling and grammar.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of youth information.

Additional Work Requirements

Valid unrestricted driver’s license with good driving record.

Reliable personal transportation suitable for safely transporting persons served; proof of current registration and automobile insurance.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to see video display terminals and utilize eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills for word processing and data entry.

Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Ability to move freely about the office.

Ability to maneuver up and down staircases.

Ability to stoop, bend and lift arms over head.

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At Samaritas, we ask you to join us - to “Be The Rock That Starts The Ripple”. A ripple of transformation in the individual lives of the 15,000 people we help each year, and a ripple of positive change throughout our community. Our team is growing at Samaritas! We are seeking more Rocks to join our team. We are always looking for additional employees who want to make a big impact and have a lot of fun doing so as part of an enthusiastic, collaborative team. We want you to be our rock!

We walk with people in need, offering hope and compassion while upholding their dignity, advocating for equality and justice, and seeking creative solutions with those who place their trust in us.

For a Samaritas video preview please click on our video link: https://vimeo.com/344133081

Samaritas is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/Vets/Disabled

Keywords: Samaritas, Grand Rapids , Lead Youth Specialist, Other , Grand Rapids, Michigan