Youth Care Worker (Residential)

Youth Advocates of Sitka is a grassroots organization based in the small island community of Sitka, Alaska. We pride ourselves on a collaborative and rewarding workplace culture.

Our work environment includes:

• Safe work environment
• Growth opportunities
• Lively atmosphere

If you are seeking meaningful ways to contribute to your community while gaining valuable experience working for the nonprofit sector and making a difference in the lives of youth from all over Alaska, check out this opening in our Youth Residential/Behavioral Health program!

The "Skills Trainer" position in the residential setting is responsible for meeting the treatment needs of a group of youth between the ages of 13-18 who are participating in a 24/hr live-in therapeutic behavioral health program for a duration of 6-12 months. The program is designed to support youth in working toward individualized goals and objectives while navigating the social dynamics of a shared living environment in which they are tasked with building and practicing skills in independence, such as hygiene, chores, and other basic life skills.

The youth in this program are assigned and supported by a wrap-around treatment team comprised of a Case Manager, a Therapist, and a whole team of Skills Trainers who are assisting them daily in meeting their treatment goals and objectives.

Skills Trainers play a crucial role in the treatment process, as they are the individuals responsible for meeting the day-to-day needs of clients. Skills Trainers are essentially mentors for the youth, who are there to build positive, trusting relationships with the youth and to teach them valuable skills for navigating day-to-day stressors.

Skills Trainers must exercise sound judgment and demonstrate effective communication skills to help create a supportive and therapeutic environment where youth can learn valuable skills that will help them thrive. This position involves providing behavioral interventions and teaching problem-solving to youth.

“Skills Training” means actively teaching a youth crucial skills such as how to exhibit appropriate social and emotional behavior; develop healthy peer and family relationships; practice getting into healthy self-care routines; and engage in effective conflict resolution. Skills training includes skill instruction, skill practice, redirection, feedback, positive praise, role modeling, promoting, encouraging, and coaching youth to do their best even when it feels like the odds are against them.

This is an on-site position requiring residence in Sitka. In the interest of time, please do not apply if you are unable to relocate.

Essential Job Functions:

- Teaches coping skills to individual clients and groups during activities.

- Communicates effectively with diverse populations (especially an Alaska Native population since that is the primary demographic we serve).

- Maintains consistent structure and provides therapeutic limits.

- Manages challenging youth behaviors in an appropriate and therapeutic manner.

- Provides proactive interventions so that youth feel supported before there is a challenge.

- Demonstrates skills in active listening.

- Demonstrates initiative in using effective problem solving skills.

- Assesses situational risk, and responds appropriately to enhance safety at all times.

- Documents daily treatment notes which meet agency policies and state and federal regulations.

- Identifies risk situations for which closer supervision may be required to maintain safety.

- Understands, honors and maintains client confidentiality.

- Follows written protocols outlined by the agency and by HIPAA.

- Responds appropriately to crisis without immediate backup, and responds to emergency situations, medical, fire, etc.

- Attends weekly staff meetings and shows a strong level of participation and engagement in other team-building opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Understands that "behavior problems" simply highlight an unmet need in youth, and are an opportunity for therapeutic teaching.

- Demonstrates cultural awareness and humility.

- Maintains appropriate sensitivity to client and family needs.

- Understands the importance of (and actively maintains) a clean, healthy living environment by participating in cleaning duties.

- Maintains a high level of self-awareness to ensure professionalism at all times.

- Demonstrates an ability to use First-Aid and CPR with confidence.

- Actively uses agency policies and procedures.

- Utilizes Google Docs to find information or perform other required duties related to sharing information with the team.

- Communicates effectively both orally and in writing.

- Demonstrates basic computer skills.

- Can lift and move up to 50 lbs.

- Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Licenses and Certificates Needed:

- CPR/First-Aid Certification (can obtain upon hire)

- TB test (current/can obtain immediately upon hire)

Minimum Qualifications:

Education with an emphasis in human services, social work or education is considered an asset, however it is not necessarily required -- experience in the field of caregiving, childcare, youth mentorship, behavioral health/mental health services or working with diverse populations is also valued.

Employee Benefits:

• Health Insurance - 80% Employer Sponsored
• Dental Insurance - 80% Employer Sponsored
• Vision Insurance - 80% Employer Sponsored
• Life Insurance - 100% Employer Sponsored
• Generous Leave Package (18 days in first year of employment)
• Annual 16 Hours of Gifted Leave
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Free Employee Assistance Program

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Caregiving: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Location:

• Sitka, AK 99835 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Sitka, AK 99835 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Sitka, AK 99835: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $22