Position Summary:

The Youth Care Specialist provides for the physical, emotional and safety needs of the children living in the cottage. The YCS is actively involved in a multi-disciplinary treatment delivery system for the care of children. Reports directly to the Cottage Life Supervisor assign to the cottage.

Responsibilities:

• Interacts with residents to re-establish and maintain healthy adult/child relationships based on the attachment model of care.
• Role models and teaches age appropriate coping skills with children using a strength-based approach in all interactions to increase the child’s level of function in their family and community.
• Actively interacts with children to implement the adult/peer interventions outlined in the Master Treatment Plan for the milieu to increase the child’s healthy interactions with adults and peers in the cottage, family and community.
• Interacts with children for completion and teaching of basic living skills; such as proper personal hygiene, care of clothing and possessions, meals, money management and leisure activity time.
• Actively teaches children to use healthy problem solving skills with peers and adults by discussing unhealthy interactions and identify positive interaction skills.
• Provide eyes on supervision and interaction with children in and around the cottage area to complete all milieu tasks.
• Completes all required paperwork, including cottage log, case notes, incident reports, communication logs, maintain family and agency notification of child progress and other relevant documentation.
• Completes and actively participates in the planning, scheduling, notification and implementation of all child related activities.
• Responsible for proper administration of medications and first aid per Great Circle guidelines and policies.
• Interacts with the children to maintain a clean, orderly and in good repair milieu environment, performs minor maintenance repairs and maintains the cottage grounds.
• Learns and follows cottage programs and procedures as documented in the cottage and child care manuals.
• Attends team treatment meetings and other meetings for the purpose of sharing information in regard to children to discuss their progress on MTP goal and objectives.
• Conducts self in a professional manner with children, coworkers, parents, and referral sources.
• Actively participates in team build activities for the personal growth of self and team members.
• Completes required training as required.
• Participates in special program components specific to WSL including MALR activities.
• Transports residents to and from school, outings, appointments, etc.
• Perform all other duties as assigned for the betterment of Great Circle
  

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Good customer service skills, ability to get along with families, children, referral sources, and staff.
• Emotionally and physically able to utilize agency approved techniques in de-escalation.
• Possess or obtain within 2 weeks of hire a current, valid Class E driver’s license and meet the Great Circle requirements for insurance; exceptions made only by Director of Residential Services.