Youth Care Specialist (Hiring multiple applicants)

Description

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE

The Youth Care Specialist (YCS) is responsible for the daily supervision, care, and support of children and adolescents in a General Residential Operation (GRO)/Emergency Shelter (ES) setting. The YCS ensures residents’ safety, health, and well-being while providing a therapeutic environment and supporting their emotional, physical, and educational needs. This position works collaboratively with staff to implement care plans and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide constant supervision of children to ensure safety, health, and emotional well-being of all residents.

· Adjust supervision as needed to maintain ratios, especially during overnight shifts, and conduct headcounts at required (15 minute) intervals. Uphold required staff-to-resident ratios of either 1:1; 1:4; 1:8; 1:23 (overnight only)

· To provide the optimal level of supervision necessary to ensure each children's safety and well-being. This includes auditory and/or visual awareness of each resident's on-going activity and document changes in assignments as needed.

· Delegate tasks, assign responsibilities, and clearly communicate expectations to staff.

· Assist children as needed with personal hygiene, grooming, proper attire and hygienic supplies while encouraging good hygienic practices.

· Ensure children arrive at school on time and assist with homework or educational activities.

· Monitor classroom participation when applicable.

· Implement, engage, and support daily routines, including mealtimes, chores, schoolwork, and recreational activities.

· Facilitate, engage, and supervise recreational, leisure activities, and free time, to ensure all residents are safely engaging while ensuring their behavioral needs are monitored.

· Maintain a clean, safe environment, adhering to TCS and licensing standards.

· Assist with housekeeping as needed, including keeping common areas, children’s rooms, and bathrooms clean and organized throughout and before the end of your shift.

· Report and document serious incidents, behavioral changes, maintenance requests, and health observations to supervisor immediately and/or before the end of shift.

· Ensure shift logs, Extended Reach serious incident reports, maintenance requests, and general incident reports are accurately completed and submitted to supervisor and/or leadership timely and before the end of your shift.

· Administer prescribed medications according to guidelines and monitor for side effects, reporting any concerns/observations to adverse reactions immediately to supervisors/medical staff and document all concerns per TCS Policy and licensing standards.

· Use de-escalation techniques and emergency behavioral interventions (EBI) as needed, following Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) practices and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) strategies.

· Transport residents as needed for appointments or off-site activities, ensuring safety during travel.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

· Participate in regular training and drills related to emergency procedures, including evacuation drills and behavioral crisis interventions.

· Attend team meetings to contribute to resident care planning and program development.

· Provide positive role modeling in all interactions with residents.

· Assist in the preparation and serving of healthy meals and snacks, promoting nutrition and healthy eating habits.

· Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

· Be open to receiving constructive feedback during supervision sessions, working to improve personal and professional skills.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure the safety and privacy of residents.

· Competency in using basic computer applications and electronic record-keeping systems.

· Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to the behavioral and emotional needs of youth.

· If required and/or necessary, other duties as assigned.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

· Implement and practice TIC and TBRI strategies in daily care routines, focusing on building safe, supportive, and therapeutic relationships with residents.

· Respond quickly to any behavioral incidents or crisis, using de-escalation techniques and EBI as necessary, in line with Texas Minimum Standards.

· Requires the ability to respond effectively in stressful or confrontational situations, utilize de-escalation skills, and maintain composure in potentially volatile circumstances.

· Must be able to support the emotional and behavioral needs of youth while modeling positive and appropriate behaviors.

· Serve as a positive role model, demonstrating appropriate behavior, judgment, and language in all situations.

· Promote and uphold the agency’s mission, values, and goals in all interactions and daily tasks demonstrating professionalism and cultural sensitivity in all interactions with residents, families, staff, and external partners.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

· Must be 21 years or older.

· A high school diploma or high school equivalency, such as a General Educational Development (GED) from a program recognized by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TPSAC), or other similar educational entity from another state; or

· Minimum one year of prior experience in a residential treatment center (RTC) or emergency shelter setting GRO (preferred).

· Documentation to verify high school equivalency from home schooling. The documentation must adequately address basic competencies that would be otherwise met by a high-school diploma or a GED, including basic reading, writing, and math skills; and

· Be able to read, write, and communicate with co-workers, medical personnel, and other persons necessary to care for the child’s needs.

· Employment references for past five years of work and three personal references excluding family members.

· Valid Texas Driver’s License or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

· Ability to engage in physical activities such as walking, standing, and lifting, up to 25 pounds.

· Cleared criminal background check, TB test, and drug screening.

· Must be willing to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid, and other required certifications.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE

Youth Care Specialists work in a dynamic environment that may include fast-paced situations, crisis management, and emotionally charged settings under the direction of the Shift Supervisor and Program Director. Physical demands include constant standing/walking around, sitting, bending, squatting, reaching, twisting, arm and wrist rotation, no scheduled breaks, and few opportunities to relax during shift. Frequent reading, writing, typing (documenting), and gaining comfortability in occasional physical intervention with distressed youth using TBRI practices and applying MANDT as a last resort to implement safety. The YCS will work in both indoor and outdoor settings, including at the GRO/Emergency Shelter and external appointments or field trips. This position requires flexibility in working hours, including the potential for rotating shifts, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays; overtime may be required to meet program needs.

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP/REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Supervised by: Shift Supervisor, Assistant Shift Supervisor, Program Director, and VP of Direct Care

Supervises: none

EEO STATEMENT:

The Children’s Shelter is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application or any part of the hiring process.

DISCLAIMER:

This is not an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. While this is intended to accurately reflect the current job, The Children’s Shelter reserves the right to revise the job or to require other or different tasks to be performed as assigned. Employee (s) must be able to perform the position's essential functions satisfactorily. If requested, a reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential function of their job, absent undue hardship.