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YOUTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST

COMPENSATION - $19.00 per hour 0-25 hours a week, evening and weekend availability needed

POSITION SUMMARY: We are looking for applicants who know that making better life choices can be a slow and challenging process. Our ideal applicant will have the strength to say no when it's needed, but know the importance of having a shoulder to cry on. Do you want a job that allows you to make a meaningful difference? Do you thrive in environments that require your full attention and real time creative solutions? If so, please consider joining our team as a Youth Support Specialist. This position works with young adults who need consistency, compassion and guidance, as we help them build the skills to live productive and fulfilling lives.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES: 1. Awakens children each morning and ensures youth are dressed, fed, and ready for school or other activity. 2. Gives instructions to youth regarding desirable health and personal habits. 3. Plans and leads recreational activities and participates or instructs youth in games. 4. Provides unit residents with direction and discipline according to unit and agency policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of NYSOCFS. 5. Makes minor repairs to clothing. 6. Escorts youth to designated activities. 7. Performs housekeeping duties in youth living area. Supervises housekeeping activities of other workers in assigned section of institution. 8. Provides supervision of youth on living unit according to individual needs as determined by Program Coordinator and Manager. 9. Works cooperatively as an employee of the agency and a member of unit treatment team to maintain therapeutic milieu and actively contributes to Living Unit design. 10. Is available to residents for crisis intervention, assistance in decision making, life space counseling, fosters a holistic system approach to treatment, etc. 11. Delivers or assists in provision of independent living skills training. 12. Interacts in a manner consistent with NYSDSS Regulation #1441.19 Appropriate Custodial Conduct in order to be an appropriate role model. 13. Provides additional coverage on unit as needed in order to assure a proper staff ratio is maintained at all times. 14. Maintains unit recording procedures and completes other paperwork as required by agency, living unit, and NYSOCFS. 15. Interacts with and is available to families of youth, sets appropriate limits as determined by supervisor, agency and procedures. 16. Encourages academic achievement by supervising homework, being supportive, etc. 17. Assists in carrying out medical directives, treatment and instructions from Health Services. 18. Designs and facilitates daily unit groups. 19. Maintains Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification and First Aid/CPR Training as provided by Agency. 20. Attends all mandatory in-service training, team meetings, and regularly attends and participates in supervision meetings. Attends other treatment-oriented training, seminars and workshops as appropriate to broaden and strengthen child care skills. 21. All duties as assigned by supervisor.

SKILL, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Education and/or Professional Qualifications/Skills • Bachelor’s degree preferred • High School Diploma/GED • One to two years related experience and/or training; or • Equivalent combination of education and experience

Special – Personal Skills, Qualities, Aptitudes and Physical Requirements New Directions Youth & Family Services, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions. 1. Ability to work and interact effectively with youth, families, staff and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 2. Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team. 3. Ability to be flexible and adapt to change. 4. Ability to interface with people (groups and individuals) and communicate within various mediums (logbooks, E-mail, telephone). 5. Must have a valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance and meet the criteria for driving set forth in the New Directions Driver’s License policy and Auto Insurance policy. 6. Ability to pass annual physical for Category 3 job classification in accordance with New Directions Employee Health policy. 7. Must comply with Agency safety standards and be responsible for own actions and conduct concerning safety and healthy working conditions.