Permanency Specialist I

Schedule: Monday - Friday 10am-6pm. Some evenings & weekends as needed.

Job Summary

The Permanency Specialist I works with youth enrolled in permanency programs through the Institute for Family Connections®. The Permanency Specialist I may provide skill building, respite and/or support to a specific population of youth based on individual needs and circumstances.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide individualized and/or group skill building to youth in need of life and social skill development as identified by their teams.
• Facilitate activities designed to teach and model a variety of skills such as independent living, social, and/or coping based on youth’s needs.
• Coordinate, create and facilitate respite support to identified youth individually or in a group setting, and work directly with caregivers to coordinate respite.
• Coordinate, create and facilitate youth support groups.
• Provide team support during engagement activities and education events.
• Document individual and group progress notes in accordance with agency and funder standards.
• Attend team meetings to communicate youth progress and/or challenges.
• While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships, and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

• Ability to use engagement skills with youth and groups
• Ability to teach and model skills
• Knowledge of child development
• Ability to diffuse crisis situations
• Knowledge of community supports and resources

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends
• The following daily physical demands are required:
  • Sitting (up to 6 hours)
  • Occasional standing (up to 2 hour)
  • Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Driving (several times a week up to 6 hours)
  • Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours)
  • Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Weekly lifting up to 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
  • Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.)
  • Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, or smoke is apparent
  • Ability to change positions as needed

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

While Hillside is a restraint free environment, there may be times in a “life or limb” situation, that staff may be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 lbs. and 300 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary.