PMIC Lead Youth Care Specialist

Job Position

PMIC Lead Youth Care Specialist – Children Square Campus, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 – Salary $54,000.

As the Lead Youth Care Specialist, you will provide strategic leadership, oversight, and advanced support to the care and rehabilitation of at‑risk youth. You will mentor junior staff, drive program development, and act as liaison among staff, youth, families, and external partners, embodying the mission to champion children and families.

• Leadership & Oversight
  • Provide strategic direction to the Youth Care team.
  • Mentor and support Youth Care Specialists with training and performance feedback.
  • Oversee shift operations, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Act as supervisor in the absence of the Shift Supervisor.
• Youth Support & Engagement
  • Develop and implement individualized service plans with clinical staff.
  • Facilitate team meetings, conflict resolution sessions, and life skills training.
  • Monitor youth behavior and progress, documenting observations and interventions.
• Crisis Response & Safety
  • Lead crisis intervention efforts, de‑escalating volatile situations using trauma‑informed practices.
  • Train junior staff in crisis prevention and intervention techniques.
  • Ensure safety protocols are followed and incidents are documented promptly.
• Program Development & Quality Assurance
  • Assist in designing and evaluating youth programs and services.
  • Identify areas for improvement and recommend changes.
  • Participate in audits, inspections, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Coordinate with case managers, clinicians, educators, and families.
  • Represent the organization in multidisciplinary team meetings and community outreach.
  • Communicate effectively with all stakeholders to ensure continuity of care.
• Other Duties
  • Perform duties as directed by supervisor.
  • Complete training consistent with program and agency staff development plans.

• Complete 24‑hour checklist training, defensive driver training, car seat and transportation training, and orientation prior to working independently with youth.

• Work in a combination of shelter, office, community, and home‑based environments.
• Duties performed in varied settings ranging from quiet desk work to stressful youth crisis situations.
• Exposure may include bodily fluids requiring Universal Health Precautions.
• Work may occur in moderate to occasionally loud noise levels; travel to activities and medical facilities may be required.

• Ability to regularly stand, use hands to handle objects or children, reach, sit, walk, climb, and balance.
• Maintain corrected hearing and vision within normal range.
• Perform physical interventions as trained, including wrapping arms around children and maintaining pressure.
• Be awake and alert for an entire shift up to 10‑12 hours.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Work in outdoor weather conditions while performing duties.
• Use vehicle safely as required.

• Minimum two years of experience in youth care or related field.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or related field.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience in Human Services with children at risk and residential work strongly preferred.
• Minimum age 21 years.
• Motor vehicle record of three points or less and active auto insurance.
• Knowledge of childcare practices, developmental issues, group processes, child abuse and neglect, behavior management, and intervention techniques.
• Strong direct service skills including empowerment, nurturing, respectful relationships, collaboration, and setting limits.
• Patience, emotional stability, positive attitude, flexibility, creativity, and dependability.
• Ability to manage confidential information and implement policies and procedures consistently.

Child Saving Institute (CSI) is committed to full inclusion of all individuals and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.