Youth Engagement Specialist

Shifts Available

• Monday to Thursday (3pm-1am)
• Monday to Thursday (12 am-10am)
• Friday to Sunday (10am-11pm)
• Friday to Sunday (10pm-11am)

Anchor House Ministries is a Christian foster care home committed to helping young men and women in crisis. Since 1974, AHM strives to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to young men and women (ages 12-18) who have been referred to us by the State of Florida. Residents end up at Anchor House for many reasons. Some have been orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or abused.

Others are simply struggling to find their way in life. AHM staff works with residents through educational assessment, individual counseling, life skills training, and by simply meeting their basic human needs of food, shelter, and companionship. Our staff also teaches residents to manage their own behavior so they may be reunited with their family when possible or safely navigate the transition into an adult life of independence and self-sufficiency.

• Provide direct care and supervision within the Mission of the organization.
• Document tasks related to the safety and wellbeing of residents.
• Work with neglected, abandoned, and abused youth and young adults who are emotionally and socially challenged.
• Maintain an encouraging and healing atmosphere for residents’ social, physical, spiritual, and educational development.
• Implement treatment programs for the residents.
• Perform under the supervision of the Program Director and/or assigned supervisor.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to work at multiple Anchor House Ministries locations throughout Polk County as operational needs require.

• High school graduate or equivalent and one year of experience in direct care (preferably in a youth residential setting); or an equivalent combination of education or training.
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Have and maintain a clear MVR (motor vehicle record)
• Must pass a county of residence and federal background check.
• Should be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet functions, preferably Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as general email and attachment functions.

• Have a commitment to keeping the facility clean at all times. This includes nightly chore duties as applicable.
• Complete regular bedroom checks.
• Assist in making sure the residents are to school in a timely manner.
• Learn and utilize conflict management skills and de-escalation techniques.
• Have the ability to fill out checklists and fulfill assigned tasks.
• Prepare all required reports and ensure all documentation is accurate and processed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritional and attractive food for residents’ consumption.
• Assist in implementation of educational, life skills, and behavioral management goals.
• Assess residents’ problems to make appropriate applications of social learning techniques.
• Monitor residents’ physical condition and report any medical needs to supervisor to assure proper attention and documentation.
• Direct Care Staff must provide services in a way that is sensitive to diverse cultures and socioeconomic populations.
• Demonstrate and teach the importance of orderliness, cleanliness, and responsibility for the living environment.
• Teach basic independent living skills and proper work ethic when appropriate.
• Encourage interpersonal relationships and honor personal privacy.
• Teach respect for the rights of others and responsibility for oneself.
• Demonstrate a Christian lifestyle and regularly participate in private and community worship.
• Maintain continuous supervision of boys at all times, notifying supervisors of any unusual problems which may arise.
• Transport residents to and from scheduled activities and appointments.
• Supervise and/or participate in all activities planned for the residents.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and online training. Full-time employees require 40 hours annually. Part-time employees must have 20 hours per year.
• Evaluate, synthesize and communicate diagnostic information to the supervisor and/or other…