Skillbuilder I

Job Summary

Under the guidance of the Care Coordinator and/or the Treatment Team, the Skillbuilder I assists youth in developing life and social skills in a community based setting and establishes a safe physical and emotional environment for the youth. 

Essential Job Functions

• Meet with assigned youth weekly in 1:1 or group setting depending on the needs of the youth and family to develop life and social skills.
• Facilitate activities designed to teach and model a variety of skills such as independent living, social, and/or coping based on individualized treatment goals.
• Document youth/family progress and needs in progress notes in accordance with agency and funder standards.
• Communicate youth/family progress and needs at team meetings to report success or get support from team to further progress.
• Use therapeutic crisis techniques, such as de-escalation, to assist families in managing crisis behaviors in their home.
• Coordinate, support, and supervise youth’s visits according to court ordered visitation plans.
• Assist families in bringing youth to necessary medical and mental health appointments.
• Complete assessments with youth to drive treatment planning. 
• Attend agency and OCFS facilitated foster care youth advocacy groups.
• Some supervised/coached family visitation.
• On-call responsibilities for Foster Care.
• 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 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 families
• 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

• 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. 

Salary : $18 - $25