Youth Care Specialist

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE:

Responsible for providing care in a psychosocial environmental for educational and personal development to youth in a structured, caring and safe home-like environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Provides on-going direct care, emotional nurturing and daily supervision of children ages 0-18 years.
• Maintains reports and documentation in system; serves as a contributing team member with Behavioral Health staff.
• Identifies needs and strengths of children; utilizes case management activities of providing, coordinating and facilitating needed services and interventions. 
• Identifies and responds to children's needs, including hunger, medical care and illness; transports youth to appointments; orients children to facility and assists them in adjusting to the new environment; reads, interprets and administers medical instructions.
• Teaches youth social, self-help, academic, independent living, problem solving, personal hygiene, money management and employment skills to maximize skill development and independent living.
• Provides crisis intervention to youth while maintaining emotional self-control.
• Maintains contact with internal and external staff to obtain and provides information in regard to youth behaviors, strategies and progress.
• Provides emotional and moral support; serves as a role model by exhibiting skills taught in program.
• Attends court sessions and conferences with teachers and counselors on behalf of youth; supervises parental visits.
• Continually provides support for academic success; monitors academic performance; assists with homework; provides transport to extracurricular school activities.
• Prepares and maintains reports of events concerning youth.
• Conducts routine house maintenance; reports repair needs to supervisor; performs housekeeping duties as required.
• Prepares reconciliation reports for purchases and submits to supervisor as required.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team. 
• Represents the organization with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public. 
• Performs House Parent duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:

Associate's Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field; AND one (1) year of child care experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Must be a minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and theories of social work and early childhood development.
• Basic counseling, assessment, case planning and various therapeutic crisis intervention techniques.
• Assessing and responding to children's needs.
• Rules and regulations related to work.
• Record keeping and report writing procedures.
• Safety practices related to the work.
• Techniques for dealing with children ages 0-18 years.
• Standard office practices and procedures.
• Basic principles of behavior management and modification for children.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Techniques for working with a wide variety of people from various backgrounds where relations may be strained or confrontational. 

Skill in:

• Accurately observing, assessing and recording children's behavior.
• Maintaining accurate records of work performed.
• Preparing clear and concise written reports.
• Engaging youth and building supportive relationships.
• Using tact, discretion and prudence in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Working successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Providing effective supervision, counseling and crisis intervention to children ages 0-18 years within general guidelines.
• Identifying and responding appropriately to aberrant behavior, medical emergencies, or other unusual conditions concerning youth.
• Maintaining the safety and security of children and youth.
• Participating in multi-disciplinary case conferences and assisting in developing, revising and implementing treatment plans. 
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Nevada driver's license.
• CPR and First Aid certification within six (6) months of date of employment.
• Medicaid Provider certification within six (6) months of date of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Mobility to work in a home and office setting, use standard home appliances and office equipment; drive a motor vehicle in order to transport youth; strength to lift, carry children; vision to read printed materials; stamina to sit, stand and walk for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; working extended hours such as working 24 consecutive hours and/or 48 consecutive hour shifts, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  

Work is subject to performance under exposure to adverse environmental conditions, hazardous chemicals, biohazards, gasses, dust, noxious odors and extensive travel.