Lead Youth Specialist

Lead Youth Specialist

Requisition #: req14681

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Hours: Full-time (40 Hours/Week)

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

As a Residential Lead Youth Specialist, you will be primarily responsible for providing care and supervising residents in the program, while also directing other Youth Specialists/Counselors on shift. This individual will serve as a resident advocate for assigned residents, while also ensuring that residents' developmental needs are met within a safe and supportive environment that enhances their ability to meet their treatment goals.

The Lead Youth Specialist/Counselor will oversee the resident's safety as well as the community at large. This individual will develop therapeutic, professional relationships with residents and offer insight into their functioning and participation in program.

This position is expected to function effectively with limited supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Effectively supervise, lead, and direct Youth Counselors on shift;
• Administer medication in accordance with the defined instructions, while also documenting distributions and refusals;
• Oversee and maintain the daily staff log documentation process;
• Actively participant in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth amongst the residents;
• Accurately complete SIRS and Unusual Incident reports in a timely manner, as the need arises;
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, and/or issues or concerns;
• Successfully follow the treatment guidelines by intervening in a caring and consistent manner, when the need arises;
• Promptly conduct the nonviolent crisis prevention intervention (CPI) procedure, when necessary;
• Oversee the resident's daily routines to include but not limited to meal time, study time, outings, bedtime, assigned jobs, and other residential activities;
• Serve as a residential advocate by presenting social history at staff meeting following admission as well as reviewing the criminal sexual conduct and legal history, family history, psychological history, school history, and identify and issues or behaviors that would warrant attention in the treatment;
• Provide residential advocacy at staff meetings by updating the team on information related to current level, length of time on that level, date of placement, length of stay, goal attainment percentages from the prior 4 weeks, school progress report, think tank or room restriction time, incident reports, assessment of overall functioning, interaction with peers and staff, and recommendation for new or revised treatment goals;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Bachelor's level degree in Human Services or equivalent field of study from an accredited college, preferred;
• Minimum of one year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents;
• Prior experience working with individuals in a residential living setting with behavioral disorders or trauma needs, strongly preferred;
• Prior experience managing others and/or a team, strongly preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks;
• Demonstrated temperament to work and care for special needs youth who may have present sexual disorders in a residential setting;
• Have the ability to serve as positive role model;
• Demonstrated ability to nurture and provide structure, support, and respect to others;
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill the essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Successfully pass an annual TB test and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Documentation of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases or the willingness to receive vaccination, or seek an exemption;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• May be required to work nights, weekend and holidays;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment.

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