Cordero House - Substitute Youth Care Specialist

## Description **Position Summary:** The Youth Care Specialist position at Cordero is responsible for providing ongoing supervision and care for male adolescents. This position assists in the treatment and supervision of youth in the custody of the Department of Human Services through the provision of individual and group skills training, recording daily observations, targeting treatment goals, and by maintaining a structured living environment in accordance with program expectations. The position is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operation of a residential facility. The position provides quality youth care and close, intensive supervision of male adolescent clients. **Qualifications:** Any combination of education, experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. - Bachelor degree in social work, juvenile justice, psychology, sociology, or related OR - Equivalent education, experience and/or training which is defined, at a minimum, as one year work experience AND two years education, training, or additional work experience. [Note: No less than 50 percent of Direct Care Staff shall have a Bachelor’s Degree or 2 years’ experience working with youth] **Required Abilities:** - Genuine concern for young people and the ability to treat all people with dignity and respect, and openness to learning and implementing a Positive Youth Development approach to youth work. - Ability to work effectively within: culturally diverse populations; team dependent models; crisis management; strength-based theoretical orientation; adolescent development; and family reunification. - A commitment to on-going training and a willingness to receive and act upon feedback. - Ability to accurately read, record, and interpret information and complete written documentation that meets contract and program guidelines. - Ability to provide visual and auditory supervision of program and youth. - Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including youth, families, staff, supervisors, and community partners. - Ability to stay calm and emotionally available in an environment serving young people who require a high level of supervision and redirection from staff. - Ability to exercise independent discretion and judgment within program guidelines. - Ability to work effectively in a team-dependent environment and to act on the agenda of the program. - Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries working with youth and in handling confidential information. - Ability to climb and descend at least two flights of stairs. - Ability to escort and supervise clients in the community which may require standing and walking up to an hour at one time. - Ability to stay awake and alert throughout entire assigned shift and to perform routine dorm checks and facility walk-throughs. - Ability to effectively monitor safety and demonstrate group management skills and effectively de-escalate potentially chaotic or volatile situations. - Ability to regularly attend scheduled shift, be punctual for scheduled shift and meetings, and be in a condition suitable for assuming responsibilities of position. - Manual dexterity allowing performance of routine office tasks such as writing, phone use, filing, copying, and use of computer keyboard. - Manual/physical capability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach, as well as occasionally lifting up to 20lbs (including overhead) in order to perform functions such as accepting donations or unpacking groceries. - Ability to perform and/or supervise routine household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, washing and folding laundry, emptying trash, sweeping/mopping, etc. **Other Requirements:** - Driving is required. All employees who drive for work purposes must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for state of residency, have a driving record that permits coverage under the corporate auto liability policy, and complete the agen…