Youth Care Specialist (Children’s Services)

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Monitors the behavior and participates with youth during all assigned program activities.
• Applies interventions based on prescribed treatment plans and provides life skills, social, emotional, and educational skill-based services training.
• Ensures a safe and healthy environment at program facilities by monitoring the status of clients and by recommending, implementing, and/or monitoring corrective actions as needed.
• Completes reports such as runaway, incident, abuse, daily charts, token points, or logs.
• Maintains all required trainings and certifications mandated by federal, state, and county governments and contracts.
• Performs general safety inspections of buildings and grounds, general cleaning and maintenance of buildings, and submits maintenance work orders as needed.
• Transports individuals and groups of youth using assigned county vehicle as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Monitors, coaches, and supervises the behavior of staff and youth, and interacts with youth during all assigned program activities. May serve as team leader for activities.
• Dispenses medication as prescribed by treatment plans and reports medical condition of clients to nurses.
• Ensures a safe and healthy environment at program facilities by monitoring the status of clients and by recommending, implementing, and/or monitoring corrective actions as needed.
• Completes, reviews, and verifies the accuracy of program reports and logs.
• Implements and monitors prescribed treatment programs or skill-based services trainings.
• Reviews requests for placement services and provides recommendations to supervisor.
• Provides orientation and training for new staff.
• Ensures maintenance work orders are submitted in a timely manner.
• Performs Non-Abusive Psychological and Physical Intervention (NAPPI) crisis intervention, counseling, or physical restraint.
• Assigns, oversees, and participates in the transportation of individuals and groups of youth using assigned county vehicle as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Knowledge of First Aid, CPR and Universal Precautions.
• Knowledge of NAPPI crisis intervention, counseling and physical restraint techniques.
• Knowledge of available social support agencies and resources in the community.
• Knowledge of the functions, services, procedures and regulations of the unit or department to which assigned.
• Knowledge of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
• Knowledge of the principles and terminology of child and adolescent developmental stages and intervention techniques.
• Skill in the application and modeling of consequences and positive reinforcement.
• Ability and willingness to work with youth with emotional, mental or physical disabilities.
• Ability to follow established procedures and support alignment with the department’s goals and vision.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to handle confidential information in accordance with established Federal, State and local laws and ordinances.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to maintain work related records and prepare reports.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Knowledge of First Aid, CPR and Universal Precautions.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the implementation of NAPPI crisis intervention (i.e. crisis counseling, physical restraint techniques, and environmental safety observations). 
• Knowledge of available social support agencies and resources in the community.
• Knowledge of the functions, services, procedures and regulations of the unit or department to which assigned.
• Knowledge of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and terminology of child and adolescent developmental stages and intervention techniques.
• Skill in the application and modeling of consequences and positive reinforcement.
• Ability and willingness to work with youth with emotional, mental or physical disabilities.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures to support and ensure alignment with the department’s goals and vision.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to handle confidential information in accordance with established Federal, State and local laws and ordinances.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others within and outside the organization.
• Ability to complete, review, and verify the accuracy of all program reports and logs.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Skill in detecting potential dangers to youth or staff. Experienced in taking proactive and appropriate action, guiding staff in exercising sound judgment, and following established reporting procedures and protocol.  
• Ability to assume responsibilities of a manager in their absence.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to physically restrain youth weighing up to 107 pounds when required.
• Ability to detect potential dangers to youth or staff and take proactive and appropriate action, and follow established reporting procedures and protocol.
• Ability to participate in physical/outdoor activities that may require bending, stooping, and lifting.

Work Category

• Very heavy work – Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to physically restrain youth weighing up to 107 pounds when required.
• Ability to detect potential dangers to youth or staff and take proactive and appropriate action and follow established reporting procedures and protocol.
• Ability to participate in physical/outdoor activities that may require bending, stooping and lifting in order to effectively manage and guide group activities.

Work Category

• Very heavy work – Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Associate’s degree in a Human or Social Services field, or 60 credit hours in the field of Human or Social Services from an accredited college or university; AND
• One year of experience working with youths as a counselor, recreational leader, or instructor or as a care provider to emotionally, mentally or physically disabled youths;

OR

• An equivalent combination of education (not less than a high school diploma/GED), training, and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Additional Requirements

• CPR/AED, First Aid, NAPPI, HIPAA, and NIMS certifications must be obtained within the first 90 days of employment.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Associate’s degree in a Human or Social Services field; or 60 credit hours in the field of Human Services from an accredited college or university; AND  
• Three years of experience working with youths as a counselor, recreational leader, or instructor or as a care provider to emotionally, mentally or physically disabled youths with at least one year in a leadership role.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education (not less than a high school diploma/GED), training, and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Additional Requirements

• CPR/AED, First Aid, NAPPI, HIPAA, and NIMS certifications must be obtained within the first 90 days of employment.