Youth Support Specialist

This role provides care and supervision to residents (up to 20 males and females ages 10-17), that are placed at Brown County Shelter Care through the Juvenile Court System. Shelter Care operates 24-hours per day, 7 days per week.

Work Hours:

3pm-11pm and includes 2 weekends per month.

• Assists in planning, directing and overseeing the learning, living and leisure time activities through direct interaction of youth at the Shelter; enforces Shelter rules, intervenes in crisis situations, closely monitors location and activities of children 24-hours per day. Assures the health, safety, and well-being of residents Placed at Shelter Care.
• Maintains positive relationships; provides support, encouragement and information to the youth and their families.
• Directly interacts with and observes activities and behavior of youth; fills out and completes daily reports and logs; consults with professionals regarding youth's behavior; completes and maintains other records as necessary.
• Receives referrals for admission to the Shelter, completes written requirements, observes physical condition of female/male residents upon admission and return to facility; contacts case managers as necessary. Conducts searches of residents. Completes unauthorized leave and incident reports. Completes the release process when a resident leaves Shelter Care.
• Participates with direct interaction in planning and executing learning, recreational, social and daily living skills programs/activities.
• Maintains order and administers positive, constructive discipline as necessary and appropriate without the use of physical or mechanical restraint.
• Maintains positive, effective professional communication with parents, case managers, court staff, coworkers and other members of the community and working professionals.
• Helps plan, develop, participate in and supervise a variety of community outings and presentations for residents.
• Completes a variety of statistical and progress reports on youth or agency activities.
• Performs and/or oversees a variety of general duties such as: maintaining inventories of bed linens and equipment, cleaning/inspection of rooms, purchasing of food and supplies, administering of first aid/CPR/AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and minor maintenance/housekeeping duties.
• Conducts fire drills and carries out emergency/safety plans when needed.
• Assists in planning nutritional meal program for youth, in food preparation, storage and clean up.
• Participates in staff development, attends related seminars, staff meetings and workshops.
• Assists with shopping for food and other items needed by the residents or the Shelter.
• Maintains required training/hours and certifications annually.
• Carries out all Shelter Care work rules, policies and procedures and all County policies.

High School diploma and a combination of education, training, and experience. A Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or an associated field is preferred.

• Valid Wisconsin Driver's License
• Certification in first aid and CPR/AED as set forth by DHSS or ability to pass a course.
• Applicants must also complete a fingerprint background check as part of the hiring process.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook)
• Knowledge of appropriate educational, recreational and social activities for youth and the ability to carry these out in an effective and instructional manner.
• Knowledge of group dynamics and human relations.
• Knowledge of health and safety precautions and first aid/CPR/AED.
• Knowledge of acceptable hygiene standards, procedures regarding blood borne pathogens, and appropriate food handling, preparation and storage.
• Knowledge of adolescent psychology, and human growth and development.
• Knowledge of and ability to help youth acquire daily living/social skills.
• Ability to utilize crisis intervention/de-escalation skills in handling emergency situations.
• Ability and skill to relate with young people in a positive, respectful, responsible, unprejudiced and understanding manner using sound judgment.
• Ability and skill to maintain a positive and effective working relationship with internal customers (case managers, parents, human service workers) and External customers (law enforcement officials, outside service providers, parent/guardians, and the general public)
• Ability and skill to provide safe, beneficial care and services to youth.
• Ability to prioritize multiple duties and…