What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Specialist position at County of Kent?
Job Responsibilities
*Referral bonus eligible*
Would you like the opportunity to grow in the field of Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, or another Social Science? Would you like to continue your education, kick-off your career path, and gain tuition reimbursement?A unique opportunity exists for individuals to work with at-risk youth. Kent County Juvenile Detention is a 98-bed locked and secured facility where juveniles are held pending some form of court action. We are seeking candidates to work on a full-time basis, performing guidance, counseling, behavioral observation, and custodial care for residents of the facility. The successful candidate will have the aptitude to effectively interact with at-risk children in a positive, patient, and caring manner, while maintaining appropriate discipline and structure.
We are currently hiring for 2nd shift, working the hours of 2:45pm – 10:45pm with a requirement to work every other weekend. Some employees on 2nd shift work in weekend-only positions, working every weekend with a double shift on either Friday or Monday. The following are typical daily tasks for a Youth Specialist:
- Provides individual and group orientations and guidance, ensuring that youth in detention participate in educational, counseling, treatment, and other programs.
- Inspects living and sleeping quarters to ensure that conditions are safe, sanitary, and appropriate.
- Organizes, supervises, and participates to a limited extent in recreational and other group activities, including work programs.
- Maintains logs of observed behaviors and participation in programs for review.
- Supervises residents in the care and maintenance of grounds and common areas and in other non-technical work incidental to the institution's operation.
- Responds to crisis situations with appropriate intervention techniques and restrains/secures individual residents as necessary to maintain the safety and security of all facility residents.
- Facilitate daily Learning Groups based on the Cognitive Behavior Training model, to include, effectively managing small and medium group dynamics.
Important additional information:
- Candidates selected for hire are required to satisfactorily pass a pre-hire physical and a background investigation including criminal history, driving record, MDHHS central registry clearance and fingerprint background check.
- Detention is a 24/7 operation and staff are considered essential workers.
- Employees in this position may be tasked with mandated overtime if necessitated by low staff-levels on a given day. Typically for a 2nd shift employee, this would require working the 3rd shift after completing your 2nd shift hours.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a minimum of thirty semester credit hours or equivalent in Sociology, Psychology, Child Development, Criminal Justice or related field, or a High School Diploma/GED combined with a minimum of 2 years demonstrably successful work experience in a child/youth care facility.
Must be able to gain the respect and cooperation of youth and to interact in a positive, patient and caring manner. Must be able to respond to and reestablish order in crisis situations, which may include physically restraining youth. Requires knowledge of recreation leadership and a variety of games, sports and crafts.
Requires valid, unrestricted driver's license.
Additional Information
*Notices will come via email so please be sure to monitor the email address indicated on your application*
Kent County takes pride in living our values to foster a true sense of belonging among all of our staff.
Kent County takes pride in living our values to foster a true sense of belonging among all of our staff.
Kent County Human Resources
Benefit Summary
TPOAM
Full-Time
Effective January 1, 2024
Medical and Prescription Plans/Health Care Premium
Health Care Providers – BCBS Wellness PPO, Blue Care Network HMO or BCMS Wellness High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
Prescription Provider – Capital Rx
PPO or HMO: 20% of total healthcare premium per month – pretax
HDHP w/ HSA: 15% of total healthcare premium per month – pretax
HSA – One-time new enrollment County contribution of $1,000 single or $2,000 family,
max HSA contribution $4,150 single / $8,300 family
Eligible for wellness incentives by completing program requirements through Virgin Pulse.
Medical benefits effective first day of the month after hire.
BENEFIT ELECTION FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO
HUMAN RESOURCES WITHIN 4 DAYS OF HIRE.
Dental Plan - Varipro
Class I – 100% of incurred charges (2 cleanings and 1 x-ray per person, per year)
All other Services – 50% of reasonable costs (including Orthodontics)
Up to $2,500 annually per family
Vision Plan - VSP
No charge for WellVision Exam; $20 materials co-pay or up to $60 co-pay for contact fitting with participating doctors
Life Insurance
$50,000 County paid Term Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance/Dependent Life Insurance
Self-pay in increments of $5,000; Minimum-$15,000/Maximum-$450,000
Spouse term life = $25,000, Child term life = $10,000
Flexible Spending - Varipro
Pre-tax contributions for Health and Dependent Care - not eligible for Health Flexible Spending if you are in the HDHP plan
Vacation Leave
6 hours 40 minutes each month – after initial month of hire (0-3 years)
See union contract for further details
Sickness & Accident Plan
1st day of injury or hospitalization or 8th day of illness
67% of gross wages; 26 week benefit
Eligible 1st of the month following date of hire
Long-Term Disability
60% of wages up to age 65; waiting period 180 days
Holidays
11 Scheduled Holidays
(8 Hours pay at regular straight time rate)
Paid Time Off
Pro-rated amount of 80 hours based on number remaining months in the year at time of hire.
80 hours on the payroll at start of the year.
May accumulate up to 120 hours
Unused paid time off in excess of 120 hours will be added to the employee's reserve sick leave bank up to 182 hours. Hours in excess of 182 will be placed in employee’s retirement bonus bank.
Paid Parental Leave
80 hours of paid time off for birth of a child or temporary placement of the child for adoption. Eligible the 1st of the month following date of hire, runs concurrently with FMLA
Probation Period
First 6 months of employment
Shift Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 2:00 PM or later
Weekend Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 11:00 PM Friday and ending at 7:00 AM Monday
Overtime
1 1/2 times regular straight-time rate for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week
Merit Increases
See contract for merit levels
Tuition Reimbursement
$365 per credit hour; maximum of 9 credit hours per year (see policy for eligibility)
Mileage
Published IRS Rate
Deferred Compensation
Enrollment first of each month with a minimum investment of $25 per pay period
Retirement/Defined Pension
Mandatory participation in a Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
Employee contribution is 9.21% of pre-tax earnings
Retirement Bonus Bank
Employees who retire under the Kent County Retirement Plan (other than a deferred retirement) will receive pension service credit for all hours in their Retirement Bonus Bank at the time of retirement.
Supplement to Medical Benefits Premium
Based on years of service, employees may be eligible for a medical benefits premium supplement.
Kent County Human Resources
Benefit Summary
TPOAM
Part-Time
Effective January 1, 2024
Medical and Prescription Plans/Health Care Premium
Eligible to purchase at a group rate, less $35.00 per pay period contribution paid by the County. Eligible for wellness incentives by completing program requirements through Virgin Pulse.
Dental Plan
Not eligible
Vision Plan
Not eligible
Life Insurance
Not eligible
Supplemental Life Insurance
Not eligible
Flexible Spending - Varipro
Pre-tax contributions for Health and Dependent Care - not eligible for Health Flexible Spending if you are in the HDHP plan???????
Vacation Leave
4 hours 50 minutes each month – after initial month of hire (0-3 years)
See union contract for further details???????
Sickness & Accident Plan
1st day of accident or 8th day of illness
67% of gross wages; 26 week benefit
Eligible 1st of the month following date of hire
Long Term Disability
60% of wages; waiting period 180 days
Holidays
4 Hours pay at regular straight time rate for each recognized holiday
Paid Time Off
Pro-rated amount of 40 hours based on number remaining months in the year at time of hire.
40 hours on the payroll at start of the year.
May accumulate up to 120 hours
Unused paid time off in excess of 120 hours will be added to the employee's reserve sick leave bank up to 182 hours. Hours in excess of 182 will be placed in employee’s retirement bonus bank.
Probation Period
First 9 months of employment
Shift Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 2:00 PM or later
Weekend Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 11:00 PM Friday and ending at 7:00 AM Monday
Overtime
1 1/2 times regular straight-time rate for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week
Merit Increases
See contract for merit levels
Tuition Reimbursement
Not eligible
Mileage
Published IRS Rate
Deferred Compensation
Enrollment first of each month with a minimum investment of $25 per pay period
Retirement/Defined Pension
Mandatory participation in a Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
Employee contribution is 9.21% of pre-tax earnings
Retirement Bonus Bank
Employees who retire under the Kent County Retirement Plan (other than a deferred retirement) will receive pension service credit for all hours in their Retirement Bonus Bank at the time of retirement
Supplement to Medical Benefits Premium
Based on years of service, employees may be eligible for a medical benefits premium supplement.
Benefit Summary
TPOAM
Full-Time
Effective January 1, 2024
Medical and Prescription Plans/Health Care Premium
Health Care Providers – BCBS Wellness PPO, Blue Care Network HMO or BCMS Wellness High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
Prescription Provider – Capital Rx
PPO or HMO: 20% of total healthcare premium per month – pretax
HDHP w/ HSA: 15% of total healthcare premium per month – pretax
HSA – One-time new enrollment County contribution of $1,000 single or $2,000 family,
max HSA contribution $4,150 single / $8,300 family
Eligible for wellness incentives by completing program requirements through Virgin Pulse.
Medical benefits effective first day of the month after hire.
BENEFIT ELECTION FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO
HUMAN RESOURCES WITHIN 4 DAYS OF HIRE.
Dental Plan - Varipro
Class I – 100% of incurred charges (2 cleanings and 1 x-ray per person, per year)
All other Services – 50% of reasonable costs (including Orthodontics)
Up to $2,500 annually per family
Vision Plan - VSP
No charge for WellVision Exam; $20 materials co-pay or up to $60 co-pay for contact fitting with participating doctors
Life Insurance
$50,000 County paid Term Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance/Dependent Life Insurance
Self-pay in increments of $5,000; Minimum-$15,000/Maximum-$450,000
Spouse term life = $25,000, Child term life = $10,000
Flexible Spending - Varipro
Pre-tax contributions for Health and Dependent Care - not eligible for Health Flexible Spending if you are in the HDHP plan
Vacation Leave
6 hours 40 minutes each month – after initial month of hire (0-3 years)
See union contract for further details
Sickness & Accident Plan
1st day of injury or hospitalization or 8th day of illness
67% of gross wages; 26 week benefit
Eligible 1st of the month following date of hire
Long-Term Disability
60% of wages up to age 65; waiting period 180 days
Holidays
11 Scheduled Holidays
(8 Hours pay at regular straight time rate)
Paid Time Off
Pro-rated amount of 80 hours based on number remaining months in the year at time of hire.
80 hours on the payroll at start of the year.
May accumulate up to 120 hours
Unused paid time off in excess of 120 hours will be added to the employee's reserve sick leave bank up to 182 hours. Hours in excess of 182 will be placed in employee’s retirement bonus bank.
Paid Parental Leave
80 hours of paid time off for birth of a child or temporary placement of the child for adoption. Eligible the 1st of the month following date of hire, runs concurrently with FMLA
Probation Period
First 6 months of employment
Shift Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 2:00 PM or later
Weekend Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 11:00 PM Friday and ending at 7:00 AM Monday
Overtime
1 1/2 times regular straight-time rate for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week
Merit Increases
See contract for merit levels
Tuition Reimbursement
$365 per credit hour; maximum of 9 credit hours per year (see policy for eligibility)
Mileage
Published IRS Rate
Deferred Compensation
Enrollment first of each month with a minimum investment of $25 per pay period
Retirement/Defined Pension
Mandatory participation in a Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
Employee contribution is 9.21% of pre-tax earnings
Retirement Bonus Bank
Employees who retire under the Kent County Retirement Plan (other than a deferred retirement) will receive pension service credit for all hours in their Retirement Bonus Bank at the time of retirement.
Supplement to Medical Benefits Premium
Based on years of service, employees may be eligible for a medical benefits premium supplement.
Kent County Human Resources
Benefit Summary
TPOAM
Part-Time
Effective January 1, 2024
Medical and Prescription Plans/Health Care Premium
Eligible to purchase at a group rate, less $35.00 per pay period contribution paid by the County. Eligible for wellness incentives by completing program requirements through Virgin Pulse.
Dental Plan
Not eligible
Vision Plan
Not eligible
Life Insurance
Not eligible
Supplemental Life Insurance
Not eligible
Flexible Spending - Varipro
Pre-tax contributions for Health and Dependent Care - not eligible for Health Flexible Spending if you are in the HDHP plan???????
Vacation Leave
4 hours 50 minutes each month – after initial month of hire (0-3 years)
See union contract for further details???????
Sickness & Accident Plan
1st day of accident or 8th day of illness
67% of gross wages; 26 week benefit
Eligible 1st of the month following date of hire
Long Term Disability
60% of wages; waiting period 180 days
Holidays
4 Hours pay at regular straight time rate for each recognized holiday
Paid Time Off
Pro-rated amount of 40 hours based on number remaining months in the year at time of hire.
40 hours on the payroll at start of the year.
May accumulate up to 120 hours
Unused paid time off in excess of 120 hours will be added to the employee's reserve sick leave bank up to 182 hours. Hours in excess of 182 will be placed in employee’s retirement bonus bank.
Probation Period
First 9 months of employment
Shift Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 2:00 PM or later
Weekend Differential
$0.50 per hour for regularly scheduled shifts beginning at 11:00 PM Friday and ending at 7:00 AM Monday
Overtime
1 1/2 times regular straight-time rate for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week
Merit Increases
See contract for merit levels
Tuition Reimbursement
Not eligible
Mileage
Published IRS Rate
Deferred Compensation
Enrollment first of each month with a minimum investment of $25 per pay period
Retirement/Defined Pension
Mandatory participation in a Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
Employee contribution is 9.21% of pre-tax earnings
Retirement Bonus Bank
Employees who retire under the Kent County Retirement Plan (other than a deferred retirement) will receive pension service credit for all hours in their Retirement Bonus Bank at the time of retirement
Supplement to Medical Benefits Premium
Based on years of service, employees may be eligible for a medical benefits premium supplement.
- The above is a summary of benefits. For specific benefits information consult the collective bargaining agreement and the summary plan descriptions.
Salary : $2,500
