Youth Care Specialist; YCS - Pines

Overview

Job Title:

Youth Care Specialist (YCS).

Reports to:

Residential Manager. Department:
The Pines.

Compensation: $25 per hour.

Shrub Oak International School ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. Our curriculum is based on evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.

The Pines at Shrub Oak is a 24-bed, coeducational, interim residential placement for students on the autism spectrum who may need significant psychiatric support and stabilization before transitioning to a less restrictive environment. Students at the Pines receive psychiatric services in addition to academic and life skills instruction in a safe, supportive environment with a 2:1 student to staff ratio.

The Youth Care Specialist (YCS) is an hourly position reporting to the Residential Manager or Evening/Oversight Supervisor. In collaboration with education, clinical, and residential staff, the YCS provides front line direct care and administrative support for daily operations. The YCS guides and mentors students, assists with emergency response procedures, and collaborates with Shrub Oak staff. The YCS serves as a coach and mentor to students, works with colleagues to create and maintain an inclusive community, and fosters skill development to meet individualized needs of The Pines student population.

The YCS helps create and maintain a DBT milieu within The Pines and supports, and helps facilitate DBT skills groups for youth. Access to confidential information requires discretion and independent judgment.

• Manage the day-to-day direct care needs, operations and programs of students at The Pines
• Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students to understand their interests, needs and goals, and to maintain a positive and cooperative environment
• Support student learning and skill development both in and outside of the classroom
• Complete administrative tasks, including move-in/move-out assistance, shift logs, incident reports, intervention plans and progress tracking
• Proactively work with students in crisis to de-escalate situations using The Pines protocol
• Attend to and report emergencies and other situations requiring immediate attention to appropriate staff in accordance with The Pines policies/procedures
• Facilitate on-campus and off-campus programming and community development based on student needs outlined by the Individualized Trans-disciplinary Education Plan (ITEP) and support plans
• Advise, support and mentor students on life skills in collaboration with other disciplines within The Pines
• Support individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team including documenting efforts and progress
• Develop, present, track, and evaluate educational programs for students
• Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including staff orientation/training
• Support other department responsibilities as needed and determined
• Work cohesively with all members of the student’s care team

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities. Duties may change or be added at any time with or without notice.

Experience & Education

• High-School Diploma and relevant combination of post-secondary education and experience in residential, psychiatric, or academic settings required; bachelor’s degree preferred
• At least 2 years minimum of relevant or related professional experience required
• Previous experience working in special education and behavioral intervention strongly preferred
• DBT experience preferred

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional written communication skills, for documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and other administrative tasks
• Ability to adapt approach of care based on presenting needs of students
• Exceptional verbal communication skills
• Skilled in managing challenging behaviors and de-escalation techniques
• Comfortability managing crisis behavior and collaborating with staff around crisis management
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to display grit and resilience and maintain composure
• Strong ability to build relationships with students and peers
• Strong ability to process and retain information and to think critically and analytically during crisis
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
• Ability to handle highly challenging behaviors, including aggressive behavior
• Computer proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other software
• Ability to get TCIS trained and complete/maintain all required trainings

• Insurance coverage:
  Health, vision, dental, life, and disability…