Youth Engagement Specialist – Full Time

SUMMARY

The Youth Engagement Specialist provides direct care and supervision to a group of youth in a cottage setting.  The Youth Engagement Specialist teaches and models social, academic, and independent living skills.  The Youth Engagement Specialist relieves Cottage Parents during their time off and, when doing so, handles the day-to-day operations of the cottage.  When scheduled to work with the Cottage Parents, assists Cottage Parents while working under their direct functional supervision when assigned.

The Youth Engagement Specialist is responsible directly to the Unit Director. Work performance is reviewed through regular supervisory conferences and performance evaluations.

This position is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable law.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities are given as examples of the various types of work performed in this position.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. In order to provide a safe and caring environment, the Youth Engagement Specialist must demonstrate attentiveness, alertness, and discretion of each aspect of the Youth Ranches program while actively engaging with and supervising youth. Maintains continuous supervision of assigned youth in accordance with agency standards and applicable licensing or contractual requirements.
2. Demonstrates resourcefulness and thriftiness in the wise stewardship of the cottage and programs resources including all equipment, buildings, and vehicles.  Ensures cottage, campus grounds and other assets are maintained at Youth Ranches’ standards.
3. Demonstrates availability, benevolence, and responsibility by providing support to other cottage staff during the daily cottage schedule. Assumes the responsibilities of Cottage Parents in their absence.
4. Abides by agency policies in discipline, family and youth rights, child abuse and maintaining confidentiality of youth and other program information.
5. Demonstrates integrity and truthfulness while maintaining effective communication with all members of the team.  Ensures that all appropriate team members are kept informed of youth and cottage related activities, updates and concerns.
6. Practices punctuality, thoroughness, and orderliness in completing required paperwork such as daily notes, Medication Administration Records (MAR), weekly and monthly cottage paperwork, incident reports, and work program time sheets.  Maintains cottage operational documentation/accounts when necessary.
7. Build connections with youth through active participation in cottage crew, work programs, education, chapel, and recreational activities.
8. Displays dependability, flexibility and availability when faced with change and a willingness to assist other staff members or programs as needed or requested.
9. Exercises discretion and appropriate judgment to always be an appropriate role model for our youth and fellow staff members.
10. Facilitates the Moral Spiritual Character Development of youth in the cottage.
11. Participates in, practices, and positively implements Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques.
12. If applicable, provides awake supervision during sleep hours for assigned cottage.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 21 years of age. Direct experience with youth in an educational or residential care setting is preferred for all levels.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each area of responsibility satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

1. Must have the ability to establish and maintain warm, consistent relationships with youth, parents and/or guardians, and other Youth Ranches personnel.
2. Must possess basic knowledge of group dynamics, child development, and group living.
3. Must have adequate educational background to provide guidance to youth having difficulties, maintain cottage records, and monitor cottage expenditures in accordance with agency guidelines.
4. Must have knowledge and appreciation of spiritual values and the ability to develop moral and ethical values in youth.
5. Must have a willingness to work as a team member for the development of youth and families served.
6. Must have the ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.
7. Must have the ability to accept and give constructive feedback as a means of developing one’s own personal skills.
8. Must have the ability to effectively communicate utilizing verbal and written skills.
9. Must have a valid Florida Driver License and be able to maintain a safe driving record consistent with state laws and agency policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.  This employee is regularly required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  This employee is extensively required to sit, hear, and talk.  The employee may occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions for this position may include exposure to outdoor weather conditions and working near mechanical moving parts. Occasional travel may be required.

The work schedule will be developed to provide maximum service and supervision for youth in the program. Scheduled hours may vary and may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and extended shifts, including shifts up to 24 hours in duration.

During overnight or extended shifts, employees may be provided an opportunity for a designated rest or sleep period when operationally feasible. Employees are required to remain on site and must be prepared to respond to youth needs, emergencies, or disturbances at any time. Compensation practices related to sleep or rest periods will be administered in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable organizational policies. Employees must maintain readiness to respond to youth needs at all times during their assigned shift, including overnight periods.

BASE SALARY

$16.00 per hour. Full-time

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Open until filled.

CONTACT

For more information, please contact:

Scott Halbach, Unit Director, 3180 Enterprise Road E, Safety Harbor, FL 34695-5205,