Youth Development Specialist

Job Description

Position Description

The Youth Development Specialist is responsible for providing services to children and adolescents as determined with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The position provides quality youth care and close intensive supervision of clients in a residential treatment setting. This includes a range of residential services, tracking and reporting on resident’s treatment progress, and serving as a positive role model for behavior. The Youth Development Specialist position represents one of the central relationships for clients in the constellation of therapeutic activities and life at Northwest Passage.

Hours are Monday-Friday 2:15-10:15 pm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Create and maintain a structured and safe living environment for youth as they participate in assessment/treatment.

Develop, coordinate, and execute programming initiatives.

Provide a nurturing environment with close, intensive supervision for high risk youth in accordance with least restrictive treatment measures.

Assure residents’ basic needs are met including meals, exercise, hygiene, and sleep.

Assure residents’ emotional needs are met in accordance with the individual treatment or assessment plan.

Recognize and adjust communication to meet residents’ needs. Provide feedback that is clear, specific, timely, and respectful.

Work with residents to provide solutions for problematic behaviors.

Document program activities, residents’ behaviors and program participation, and significant incidents involving residents.

Attend all staff meetings, trainings, and educational classes as required.

Maintain a clean and safe environment.

Understand and follow agency policies.

Maintain an understanding of mental health concepts, psychotropic medications, and client symptomology.

Advocate for appropriate goals, wants, and needs of residents.

Qualifications

Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in a social or behavioral science field (e.g. psychology, social work, sociology, education) or equivalent courses and/or relevant experience working with youth who have significant mental health needs

Proven experience working with youth who have significant mental health needs

Demonstrated reliability, with an ability to follow through on commitments and expectations

Strong self-regulation skills to remain calm in stressful situations, and effective self-care strategies to support personal well-being and resiliency

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others from diverse backgrounds

Enthusiasm for learning and growth, and ability to receive feedback and learn from mistakes

Proven ability to adapt to change

Commitment to serving others and making a difference in the lives of youth

Must be able to work Monday-Friday, 2:15 pm-10:15 pm

Benefits of the Position:

$21.00-$28.00/hour wage

Health Insurance (no deductible)

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Retirement Savings

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (mental health benefit)

Longevity Benefit

Voluntary Group Ancillary Offerings (Life and AD&D, Long-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance)

Free On-duty Meals

Relocation Assistance

Off-site Housing ($475/month rent), dependent on availability

Northwest Passage is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for student loan forgiveness

Unmatched real-world experience in the fields of mental health, experiential programming, and nature-based programming

Northwest Passage is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Full-time