Youth Specialist 7-E9

Salary: $22.73 - $30.19 Hourly
Location : Macomb, MI
Job Type: Permanent Intermittent (hours may vary)
Job Number: 4307-25-MYTC-036-EST-1
Department: Health and Human Services - Institutions
Opening Date: 11/24/2025
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME (AFSCME)

Job Description

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. For more information, please visit

Employees in this class series act in loco parentis supervising life skills, training, and therapeutic activities for delinquent youth in Juvenile Justice (JJ) facilities. The Youth Specialist, under proper direction, initiates, implements and supervises therapeutic experiences for youth and performs supportive record-keeping functions. Employees need to respond to the physical and emotional behavior of the youths, at times requiring physical intervention. Youth Specialist may be assigned to work on any day of the week on any shift. Employees are required to participate in training courses and to satisfactorily complete the course work.

To be considered for this position you must:

• Apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions in submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
• Attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
• Attach a cover letter.
• Attach a copy of an official transcript(s). We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies or unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature.

Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application not being considered. See instructions for attaching files here:
Required Education and Experience
Additional Requirements and Information
Position(s) are located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Children's Services Agency, Juvenile Justice, Michigan Youth Treatment Center, 400 N. Rose St., Mt. Clemons, MI 48043

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Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24
01

YOUTSPL - Do you possess one of the following?at least two years of college (60 semester or 90 term credits) with a minimum of 15 semester (23 term) credits in one or a combination of the following: social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, family and/or child development, counseling and guidance, criminal justice, community services, family studies, counseling psychology, human services, education, early childhood education, secondary education, or special education? If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts;ORat least three years of experience in the care or supervision of youths in a residential group setting, including two years equivalent to a Youth Aide E8?

• Yes
• No

02

If you do not meet the standard education and experience requirements in the job specification, do you believe that other education and experience provide you the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties listed in the position description?

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered yes to the previous question, please be as detailed as possible in describing the education and experience you would like considered, including providing credits earned and specific dates and hours worked per week.
04

YOUTSPL - Please select your level of experience.

• None
• At least one year of experience equivalent to a Youth Specialist.
• At least two years of experience equivalent to a Youth Specialist.
• At least three years of experience equivalent to a Youth Specialist.

05

From the options below, which accurately describes your current status? (A current state employee works for an actual state department such as the Department of Corrections, the Department of Transportation, etc.)

• A current Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) employee.
• A Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) employee in layoff status.
• A current State of Michigan (non-DHHS) employee.
• A State of Michigan (non-DHHS) employee in layoff status.
• None of the above.

06

Are you a current MDHHS employee classified as a Youth Specialist interested in moving to the same classification and level at this location?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess a valid driver's license? If yes, list state issued by, license number, expiration date. If no, type N/A.
08

Do you have any objection to being finger printed or drug tested?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you ever been convicted of a felony

• Yes
• No

10

Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor?

• DUI
• Embezzlement
• Retail Fraud
• Traffic Violation resulting in a misdemeanor conviction
• Abuse or neglect
• Minor in Possession
• Breaking and Entering
• Assault or Domestic Violence
• N/A

11

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, Please document all instances including date and disposition. If "no", please indicate N/A.
12

Do you have an Intentional Program Violation from the Department of Health and Human Services?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have any substantiated cases of abuse or neglect reported on the Department of Health and Human Services Central Registry?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you ever been found responsible in a confirmed case of child abuse or neglect?

• Yes
• No

15

If yes, please explain in detail what changes you have made to mitigate your previous actions. If no, enter "N/A."
16

Please select from the options below: (Please note, actions that have been expunged, formal counseling, and layoff actions need not be reported.) Please select all that apply.

• I have been dismissed within the last two years
• I have resigned in lieu of discipline or dismissal within the last two years
• I have been suspended without pay within the last two years
• I have received a written reprimand within the last two years
• I have received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years
• I have signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years
• I certify that none of the above circumstances apply to me

17

How many years of experience do you have working with children/youth that experience behavior problems? (If you possess this experience, you must document it in your application materials to allow for accurate screening).

• 5 or more years of experience
• 3 to 5 years of experience
• 1 to 3 years of experience
• Less than one year of experience
• None

18

How many years of experience do you possess in working as direct care staff providing residential services/supervision of adjudicated youth in a residential program? (If you possess this experience, you must document it in your application materials to allow for accurate screening).

• 5 or more years of experience
• 3 to 5 years of experience
• 1 to 3 years of experience
• Less than one year
• None

19

The job duties require an employee to be absent of any physical limitation, which would impair effective performance. Do you have any physical limitations that would impair effective performance?

• Yes
• No

20

Are you able to work on any day of the week or on any shift?

• Yes
• No

21

Describe a time when you had to navigate cultural differences in a professional or work setting
Required Question

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