Youth Development Specialist

Position Title: Youth Development Specialist

Reports To:   Residential Supervisor

Exempt Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

The role of the Youth Development Specialist is to provide care and direct supervision of youth in the residential program.  This position also performs a variety of tasks related to the operation of the residential program including management of youth meals; facility maintenance and ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct job duties and behavior in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Family Resources.
• Conducts job performance and tasks in accordance with assigned key performance indicators (KPI’s) individually and as a team.
• Conducts themselves in a manner supporting of a healthy culture within the agency.
• Provides direct supervision and engages with youth to include participation in all residential activities.
• Responsible for taking all required trainings and maintaining training compliance on an annual basis within funder required timeframes. All employees, whether they are full-time, part-time, or PRN, are required to attend Managing Aggressive Behavior(MAB), CPR/First-Aid, and medication dispensing/refresher trainings when they are scheduled with advanced notice.  If an employee is unable and has communicated this to their supervisor, they will be responsible for ensuring they take the training before the training deadline.
• Conducts screenings for services, completes intakes with all required paperwork. 
• Assists with the planning and leading of all recreational activities/events.
• Transports youth as necessary to various community locations.
• Attends all mandatory agency and staff meetings.  For FT employees, all monthly staff meetings are required.  For PT or PRN staff, 9 out of 12 staff meetings are required and for any meetings missed, staff will ensure they have all relevant information disseminated from that meeting.
• Helps to facilitate shift duties and tasks.
• Must maintain order and cleanliness of residential facility.
• Report needed repairs and maintenance to supervisor.
• Supervises the self-administration of youth medications and documents in appropriate records.
• Verifies medication upon intake.
• Consistently implements the program’s Behavior Motivation system.
• Maintain daily shift notes.
• Prepares/serves meals in cook's absence and maintain proper meal documentation.
• Other job responsibilities as requested.

Skills, Abilities and Other Requirements:

• Must demonstrate awareness and acceptance of cultural differences of clients, staff, and community contacts.
• Must have the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including clients, staff, professional and community persons.
• Must demonstrate awareness and acceptance of clients related to sexual orientation and gender identity issues.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills, well developed verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to effectively deal with complex issues.
• Must maintain a high degree of professionalism and reliability within areas of responsibility.
• Should possess characteristics that show sound judgment in fulfilling position duties and responsibilities as well as a cooperative attitude in working relationships with senior members of management.
• Must have valid Florida Driver’s License and auto insurance for personal vehicle and a clean driving history.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required. 
• Two years general work experience with at least one-year full time work in a direct contact role with youth at risk or an equivalent number of work hours in a part-time or volunteer direct contact role. An associate degree in behavioral science or related field may be substituted for two years of general work experience. 
• Computer literacy and competency.
• Must demonstrate awareness, acceptance, and willingness to work with the LGBTQ population.

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to lift 25 pounds occasionally.
• Frequent sitting, standing and/or walking.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers
• The ability to hear and respond quickly to sounds.
• Close, distance and peripheral vision
• Frequent driving