Youth Development Specialist (The Zone - Orange Prep)

Reports To:      SBYSP Manager
Broad Function: To foster social development through facilitation of recreation and psycho-educational groups.
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CORE VALUES:
1. Demonstrates cultural competence through an awareness of and sensitivity towards Agency’s clients’ and coworkers’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics i.e. is flexible in presentation of profession self, has the ability to “connect” with diverse populations, and has the skills to integrate culture throughout the clinical process with respect to race, color, creed, religion, gender, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, appearance, mental and/or physical capability, etc. (Culture is defined as membership in a group which shares values, experiences and beliefs.)
2. Is committed to the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a child and believes in the capacity of people to grow and change.
3. Works from a strengths-based perspective.
4. Understands and works well with other service systems (i.e.; child protective, juvenile justice, division on aging, probation and parole), maximizes resources to assist client.
5. Recognizes that consumers come first and responds to consumers appropriately.
6. Knows and adheres to all FC Policies and Procedures, participates in either the QI Committee or a Subcommittee and/or keeps abreast of and adheres to QI policies and procedures.

PROFESSIONALISM:
1. Values and participates in the Team as a proactive member.
2. Respects others’ professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings.
3. Able to give and receive constructive criticism.
4. Willing to take on extra work when needed (i.e. when there is a vacancy).
5. Performs required tasks according to the program philosophy, policies and procedures.
6. Is courteous, approachable, and cooperative towards others and conducts self in a mature, competent, confident, and respectful manner.
7. Understands and adheres to confidentiality rights of clients, co-workers and agency, consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and protects personal health information in written, verbal and electronic forms.
8. Practices self- care, has a sense of humor, and possess a healthy work/ life balance important to providing great customer service.
9. Ensures the safety & comfort of others by communicating the presence of hazards, injuries, equipment problems or any need for help and knows the emergency evacuation and all other safety policies (universal precautions, etc.).
10. In times of crisis is willing to help others, and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / Team.
11. Maintains good attendance (i.e. Maintains FT or PT schedule as contracted, and attendance does not impair or negatively affect the team.)
12. Is punctual for client appointments, meetings, etc.
13. Meets program productivity requirements.
14. Uses good judgment, practices ethical decision-making, and explores all options in problem solving.

SUPERVISION:
1. Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared.
2. Documents supervision.
3. Able to receive feedback and to learn from it.
4. Has insight about self (i.e. strengths and weaknesses) and utilizes that knowledge toward growth and change.
Youth Development Specialist responsibilities include:
1. Supervise and coordinate recreational programming and field trips.
2. Build and maintain rapport; interacting with students during appropriate times to facilitate social skill development, and advocating for students, as needed.
3. Facilitate prevention and psycho-educational groups.
4. Insure documentation and data input into Management Information System is completed in timely fashion.
5. Provide case management to students as necessary.
6. Monitor students’ academic and behavioral progress.
7. Assist in the development and marketing of programs in the school environment and community.
8. Discuss all suspected cases of abuse and neglect with Manager/Coordinator and report to DCP&P.
9. Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Manager/Coordinator of SBYSP.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification: Minimum High School diploma, 3 years experience as a youth service worker; Bachelor’s Degree in human services field preferred.

Experience: Proven ability to work with adolescents in an urban setting.
Knowledge: Knowledge of adolescent development, knowledge of community resources, knowledge of group process,
Skills and Abilities: Ability to create a warm, non-threatening therapeutic atmosphere, ability to provide non-judgmental responses, ability to counsel adolescents, ability to work as a member of a team, ability to advocate for students with school personnel, ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Professional Characteristics: Open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self-aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to criticism, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature, self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic, will to take on additional tasks and responsibilities, interested in seeking additional training and skills.
Work Environment/Physical Demands: The individual must possess the ability to perform work that requires frequent standing, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, moving, and lifting of up to or in excess of 50 pounds.

Family Connections is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to excellence. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age veteran status, or sexual orientation or other protected classes under the State and Federal law.