Youth Mentor

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for talented Youth Mentors who want to make an impact in the lives of at risk youth in our male and female group homes. We are looking for people who are willing to work with challenging behaviors while having the ability to make an impact in the youth's lives.

This schedule is 2pm-10pm. Must be able to work weekends.

Purpose & Impact:

Key responsibilities include the direct supervision of youth residents, providing quality care, ensuring a safe and secure environment and transporting and accompany/supervising residents on outside activities. This is a direct service delivery position at a primary location, but the position may work at any one of a number of regional group homes within a reasonable radius as shift needs arise.

These group homes house adolescent teens who have aggressive behaviors. The ideal candidate for this role is someone who would be comfortable working with at risk adolescent males and females. The ideal candidate would also not be intimidated by youth who have been impacted by abuse, neglect, and trauma. Take on a challenging role while having the ability to be a mentor and make an impact in the lives of youth.

Essential Functions:

• Provide supportive environment for youth.
• Assists children with preparing and eating meals, taking baths, maintaining hygiene, administering medication, and performing other daily routine tasks.
• Transports individual and groups of children for appointments or field trips outside the facility
• Provide daily security and up-keep of facility.
• Develops, plans, coordinates, and participates in daily recreational and social activities, including outdoor programs and physical exercise.
• Consults and communicates with shift leaders, supervisors and professional staff concerning behavior issues and the needs of children
• As directed, participate in the implementation and monitoring of client case plans.
• Participate in various in-service training sessions and attend staff meetings
• Assign and supervise chores in addition to performing light housekeeping duties such as making beds and cleaning laundry, to ensure that the children's residential setting is neat, clean, and orderly.
• Interviews and responds to critical incidents and emergency situations. Document incidents in the logbook as well as on the appropriate forms.
• Assists with the initial intakes and discharge of youth.
• Document in the logbook as outlined in policies and procedures.
• Conducts group meetings with youth to discuss issues and address concerns.
• Provides instruction on appropriate behaviors and independent living skills.
• Observes and documents the behavior, development and needs of children.
• Maintains daily written records and logs of observations and concerns about individual children.
• Provides responsive, high-quality services to Community Based Care Lead Agencies, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Courts, the School Board and other representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner

Other Functions:

Perform other duties as assigned by Program Director and/or House Coordinator for various shifts on an "as-needed" basis.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain alert and responsive during all shifts, including overnights and extended hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, and climb stairs frequently throughout the day.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform physical intervention or de-escalation techniques if required, consistent with agency-approved crisis management protocols.
• Sufficient vision and hearing to observe and monitor client behaviors and ensure safety in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to operate standard household equipment (e.g., washer, dryer, kitchen appliances).
• Manual dexterity to write legibly, operate a computer, and perform light cleaning and household duties.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, including indoor residential settings and outdoor recreational spaces, in all weather conditions.
• Ability to drive and maintain eligibility to operate agency vehicles, if required for transporting youth.
• Ability to transport youth in agency van.
• Ability to accompany youth on field trips and other recreational outings.
• Certified CPR/First Aid, and crisis intervention required.
• Valid Florida driver's license and proof of active insurance.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

High school diploma, GED or equivalency completion certification required. Post-secondary education in Human Service field preferred.

Experience:

This is an entry-level position. One (1) year experience working with youth/troubled youth in an organized/structured setting preferred.

Skills:

• Good organizational, written, and verbal skills.
• Dependability, discretion, and good judgment are essential.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, co-workers, and the general public.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

This position is assigned to a primary location, but the position may work at any one of a number of regional group homes within a reasonable radius as shift needs arise.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Reports to House Coordinator.
• Team player with co-workers and administrators.
• Ensures qualitative care for clients in a safe, secure environment.
• Adherence to license and quality assurance standards of local, state, and federal agencies.
• Effective behavior management and supervision of residents during activities.
• Adherence to all agency policies and procedures.
• Willingness to respond to requests for coverage with minimal notice.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.