On-call Youth Specialist

Under the supervision of a Shift Supervisor, supervises and cares for the residents in the detention and/or treatment wings of the Youth Facility on an assigned shift. Ensures that residents meet personal conduct standards, oversees residents on household and work assignments, ensures that security and other policies are followed, and monitors resident movements throughout the facility. Counsels youth on a variety of matters, conducts crisis counseling, prepares written observations of the youth's behavior and participates in assessment meetings regarding youth.

1. Ensures the safety and security of the Youth Facility and its occupants. Provides constant supervision of youths and monitors their activities, visually and with electronic monitors, throughout the facility.
2. Prepares observation and status reports on the behavior and progress of youth and documents operations and needs related to security, maintenance and supplies. Prepares incident and accident reports.
3. Ensures that the physical and emotional needs of youth are met, including hygiene, nutrition, medical, physical exercise and emotional guidance.
4. Provides counseling to youth that may involve dealing with inappropriate behavior, suicidal thoughts, crisis situation, and related areas using approved methodologies.
5. Implements treatment programming including behavior modification and token economy system. Participates in the token economy system by awarding points, maintaining records and operating the store. Leads youth in recreational and other activities.
6. Leads group counseling sessions on topics such as decision making, seeking employment, and behavioral issues.
7. Participates in staffing and team meetings and discusses observations of youth behavior.
8. Completes intake and discharge procedures, including completing forms, recording belongings, conducting orientations and providing clothing and personal items.
9. Provides supervision to residents in the performance of housekeeping chores, trash removal, laundry and meal clean up.
10. Discusses various matters of concern with youth and serves as an empathetic listener on topics such as family problems, court hearings, homework and general interpersonal relationships. Reports concerns regarding psychological or emotional well being of youth.
11. Assists with the coordination of health care for the youth, includes dispensing prescription and over-the-counter medications and reporting health concerns to appropriate individuals.
12. Transports youth by vehicle to medical and other appointments.
13. Uses crises intervention techniques and other approved methodologies to physically control and counsel residents as necessary.
14. Assists in the delivery and serving of food, cleaning of designated areas and other supports tasks as assigned.

Other Functions

1. None listed.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.

Must have 30 semester credits of college level coursework in the human services area.

One year experience working with delinquent or emotionally troubled youth and/or families. Prefer experience in a 24 hour facility.

Must have a valid Michigan Driver's License and a good driving record.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

{This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements}:

• Climbing stairs to conduct security checks.

• Driving to various sites to transport youth.

• Ability to move desks, beds and other furniture to conduct security checks.

• Reaching, bending and stooping to perform security checks, housekeeping and other tasks.

• Extended periods of walking throughout facility.

• Ability to physically restrain youth.

• Hearing ability to use auditory monitoring system.

• Lifting and carrying containers for meals weighing up to 35 lbs., laundry bags weighing up to 40 lbs. and other items.

• Visual acuity sufficient to monitor control cameras and security panels, distinguish colors on the control panel, and provide other forms of resident supervision.

• Exposure to various weather conditions while transporting youth, delivering meals and laundry or leading field trips.

• Exposure to physical assault by youth.

• Exposure to youth with various states of cleanliness and hygiene.

• Exposure to various body fluids.

• Exposure to communicable disease of youth.

There are no benefits associated with this position.