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Form of workPosition Title:Youth Specialist
Direct Supervisor: Director of Residential Services
Status: Full-time (40 hours) exempt, with benefits OR Part-time (29 hours or less), non-exempt, without benefits,
Direct Supervisor: Director of Residential Services
Status: Full-time (40 hours) exempt, with benefits OR Part-time (29 hours or less), non-exempt, without benefits,
eligible to earn overtime
Base Salary: $17.00 per hour, additional based on education, experience, and credentials
Base Salary: $17.00 per hour, additional based on education, experience, and credentials
Commitment to Anti-Oppression:
Ozone House requires an atmosphere of cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity. Employees of Ozone House are expected to recognize and accept personal responsibility for increasing their own cultural awareness and to consider how their perceptions about culture affect their relationships with others. Ozone House is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and fosters an anti-oppressive environment to support the recruitment and retention of employees.
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for direct care, including the provision of supervision, crisis intervention and appropriate modeling, for at-risk youth in either of Ozone House’s residential programs. Attendance at monthly staff meetings and participation in the on-call coverage rotation are additional expectations of the role.
Education Qualifications:
- High school diploma required; an Associate’s degree is preferred.
Experience Qualifications:
- Minimum 2-year experience working with at-risk youth (homeless, runaway, history of trauma, abuse, mental health, etc.)
- Ability to effectively engage youth with diverse identities, including the intersecting identities of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and sexual orientation/ gender identity and expression
- Ability to effectively manage crisis situations
- Ability to set limits and maintain professional boundaries
- Ability to provide direction and supervision to residents
- Solid communication and problem-solving skills
- Computer proficiency including word processing, spreadsheets, and web navigation
- Knowledge of Positive Youth Development, Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care practices preferred
Job Responsibilities and Duties
Shift Coverage Duties:
- Complete scheduled shifts ensuring safety and providing modeling, resource information, crisis intervention and/ or other assistance as appropriate.
- Provide direct client supervision and observation while on shift maintaining their daily needs and activities as well as always knowing client whereabouts on and offsite during recreational activities. Maintain a safe, healthy, and inclusive programming space.
- Monitor and enforce applicable program rules and policies. Ensure program integrity.
- Demonstrate appropriate modeling behavior/ communication and maintain a professional relationship with the client(s).
- Utilize strengths-based and restorative approaches to promote positive youth development.
- Facilitate individual and group life skills training and workshops, on topics such as health & hygiene, conflict resolution, nutrition, anger management, self-esteem, communication, personal boundaries, employment search & maintenance, budgeting and food preparation.
- Assist youth to prepare healthy meals.
- Pass medication as assigned and follow medication administration policy and procedure.
- Complete and log bed checks from 11pm through 7am.
- Read recent client logs, updates and other program documentation.
- Maintain on-going documentation including logs, life skills notes, incident reports and other related documentation.
- In an emergency or for matters requiring immediate consultation, contact the on-call staff.
- Promptly inform Case Managers, Prevention Coordinators and Therapists of important issues involving their client(s).
- Assist with household cleaning and maintenance (emptying trash, recycling, dishes, laundry, organizing the office, etc.).
- Transport clients as assigned. Maintain a good driving record and insurance.
- Provide advance notice to supervisor and find replacement if unable to work a scheduled shift.
- Always remain on duty until relieved by another staff. While on shift, stay on Ozone House property unless prior approval from a supervisor has been given.
- Abide by all Ozone House, Inc. policies and procedures.
Non-shift Duties:
- Attend weekly supervisory meetings with the Director of Residential Services or Residential Coordinator.
- Attend scheduled Residential Team meetings and Peer Supervision.
- Attend mandatory trainings to enhance skills and meet licensing requirements (50 hours in the first year of employment and at least 25 hours each year thereafter).
- Answer and respond to after-hours Crisis Line Calls. Complete associated documentation. Contact on-call when the situation necessitates.
- Perform other job duties as assigned.
Work Hours
Full-time Youth Specialists work five shifts (including at least one weekend (defined as Friday, Saturday, or Sunday shift). Part-time Youth Specialists work up to 29 hour per week. Shift assignments may vary depending on the needs of the agency. Shift schedules are as follows: 7:00 am – 3:00pm, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm, and 11:00 pm – 7:00 am. All Youth Specialists are required to work some holiday shifts regardless of full or part-time status.
About Ozone House:
Ozone House is a community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services. Since 1969, we have actively developed unique, high-quality housing and support programs and services that provide support, intervention, training, and assistance to runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families.
As the second oldest youth shelter in the country, Ozone House combines a wealth of experience with industry leading best practices to serve young people and their families experiencing crisis. Each year, Ozone House has served over 3,500 young people throughout Washtenaw and surrounding counties in Southeast Michigan.
Benefits:
Ozone House offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: BCBS health and vision options and dental insurance 90% employer paid for single employee coverage, 80% for family coverage; retirement savings plan; basic life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage 100% employer paid; Health Savings Account; Dependent Care, Medical and Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Accounts and a generous paid time off plan.
