Youth Development Specialist

Job Title:

Youth Development Specialist Department & Division:
Campus Programs

Reports To:

Campus Programs Supervisor Beginning Pay Range: $21.00 an hour Classification:
Full Time, Part Time, or Per Diem, Hourly, Non-Exempt.

D.A. Blodgett
- St. John s

D.A. Blodgett
- St. John s is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening children and families through a comprehensive continuum of care, including, but not limited to; counseling, family preservation, foster care, adoption, and residential treatment. Guided by the belief that children thrive best with their families whenever safety can be ensured, the organization delivers compassionate, evidence-based services designed to promote healing, stability, and long-term success.

Primarily serving children, youth, and families in the greater Grand Rapids area, with select programs reaching communities across Michigan, D.A. Blodgett
- St. John s is committed to creating brighter futures through prevention, intervention, and lifelong support. Rooted in dignity, equity, and belonging, the organization is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where all children, all families, and all individuals are valued, supported, and empowered.

• Exceptional Service:
  Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work.
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion:
  All are welcomed, valued, and belong.
• Excellence:
  Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
• Integrity:
  Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
• Creativity:
  Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
• Passion:
  Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision.

• Nonviolence:
  Maintaining safety for all members of the community.
• Emotional Intelligence:
  Managing emotions so we don t hurt ourselves or others.
• Social Learning:
  Together we accomplish more, we care for one another.
• Democracy:
  Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote.
• Open Communication:
  Respecting and sharing ideas of our team.
• Social Responsibility:
  Say what you mean, don t be mean when you say it.
• Growth & Change:
  Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve.
• Cultural Humility:
  We approach difference with openness, curiosity, and an ongoing commitment to learning.?
• Trauma-Responsive Practices:
  We recognize the impact of trauma and work to minimize harm, promote agency and support healing.?
• Identity Safety:
  We honor and respect the intersecting identities people hold, and we work to prevent identity-harm or discrimination.?
• Anti-Racism:
  We work actively to recognize and interrupt bias, discrimination, and systemic inequities in our work and interactions.?

The Development Specialist is responsible for providing direct care and supervision to youth and young adults within our Campus Programs division, which includes our Independent Living program and our Residential programs. The scope of this development responsibility is quite broad. At times, the development specialist takes on a parental role, addressing the basic needs of the youth. This includes but is not limited to ensuring that each child is healthy and safe, adequately clothed and fed and that their living space is clean and orderly.

In addition to these responsibilities, the development specialist is expected to offer praise and encouragement to the youth. They must also respond appropriately and therapeutically to challenging behaviors that may arise. The development specialist typically achieves these objectives through verbal de-escalation techniques, positive reinforcement, guidance and supportive direction.

At times, the development specialist takes on the role of a mentor, guiding youth in areas such as social skills, coping skills, hygiene, basic values, spirituality, and education. The development Specialist acts as a trusted and patient adult, engaging in discussions about a young person’s personal life, emotions, and perspectives on the world.

DABSJ places a strong emphasis on building relationships…