GENERAL SUMMARY:

Youth Development Specialist are integral in designing and implementing opportunities for youth to learn and practice new skills within a therapeutic 24 hour care environment.  Youth Development Specialists assist in planning and monitoring daily activities of youth within the milieu of 24 hour care.  Youth Development Specialist provides supportive services to youth based on their service plans and program goals.

In addition to YDS roles, the YDS Educational Support staff will be integral in planning and supporting the instruction within the educational setting for 24 Hour Care educated within the residential treatment program.  YDS-Educational Support staff will also organize and facilitate educational enrichment, groups, activities, community service, etc. with youth both within the school day and on non-school days throughout the year. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides instructional and behavioral support to the students.  
• Provides instruction in the absence of a teacher.
• Monitors school attendance and addresses off tasks behaviors appropriately.
• Is able to represent agency in home school transition meetings and team meetings as needed. 
• Works collaboratively with other school staff to insure safe and productive learning environments. 
• Interacts with clients in a positive and therapeutic manner according to policy, procedure, training and Agency Guiding Beliefs.
• Provide active supervision of clients at all times within assigned staffing ratios
• Facilitate client activities/daily routines to include unit groups and specific programming as planned by Activities/Program Manager
• Provide therapeutic counseling to groups and individual clients per program standards.
• Provide oversight/support to clients, client families, and ancillary service providers while clients are participating in community-based activities (pass, school, work, attending services/programs) as indicated per program.
• Maintain and document regular contact with individuals/agencies outside of the program providing services for/associated with clients.
• Observe, assess, and document client activity per agency/program standards (client logs, incident reports, behavior management logs).
• Attend child/family team meetings/reviews and provide verbal and written input per agency/program standards.
• Maintain physical plant to agency and licensing standards.
• Maintain client confidentiality within all written and verbal communications
• Facilitate and document clients self-administration of medications in accurate and timely manner
• Adheres to St. Charles Youth & Family Services Policies and Procedures.
• Supports the goals of the agency mission/vision.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year experience with At Risk Youth.
• Ability to attend initial and ongoing training, which meets agency/program and licensing standards. 
• Ability to obtain/maintain childcare certification.
• Ability to rotate shift if need arises.
• Ability to work on other living units as need(s) arise.
• Ability to display cultural competence and sensitivity to the populations we service by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, socioeconomic characteristics, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors.
• Basic computer and keyboarding skills desirable.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to operate a panel van to transport clients.
• Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and proof of liability insurance.
• Ability to use vehicle for work related duties according to the agency’s insurance liability standards.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Indoor/outdoor requirements; participation in both indoor and outdoor recreational activities.
• May require temporary assignment on other living units and/or shift as need(s) arise.
• Potential for physical intervention of clients as needed.
• Potential for exposure to blood products as a result of staff/client accident/injury.
• Travel approximately 10% using company vehicle.