Youth Support Specialist, Floater

Description

Job Title: Youth Support Specialist, Floater
Department: Residential Services

The Youth Support Specialist provides direct supervision, counseling, and support for young people ages 12–18 in a residential setting. This role is responsible for helping youth develop life skills, supporting their academic and social goals, and maintaining a trauma-informed environment that promotes self-regulation, safety, and growth. Youth Support Specialists play a vital part in fostering consistency, compassion, and guidance to help young people build the foundation for productive and fulfilling lives.

New Directions Youth & Family Services’ Residential Services program provides 24/7 care for youth in need of consistency, safety, and support. Staff create therapeutic, trauma-informed environments that help young people learn, grow, and prepare for long-term success.

New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

New Directions offers a competitive benefits package to support employees:

• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• 401k with up to 3% agency match
• 120 hours of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
• Consistent schedule for full-time employees; flexible scheduling available for on‑call staff
• $250 bonus after 6 months of employment
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Join a company where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10+ years

$19.00 – $20.00 per hour in the first year, with guaranteed raises for full‑time positions.

• Full‑Time:
  Consistent schedule
• On-Call:
  Flexible scheduling options

Youth Support Specialists receive extensive training, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), First Aid/CPR, and ongoing in‑service learning. Staff participate in supervision and professional development activities to maintain a high level of expertise and support in working with youth.

• Directly supervise youth in care and administer to the physical needs of youth in care daily.
• Dispense prescribed medications to children under the supervision of the Nurse and keep an accurate record of dispensation, and maintain Medication Administration Certification.
• Create and maintain a trauma‑informed environment to support youth in achieving self‑regulation and reaching their therapeutic goals.
• Provide therapeutic crisis intervention in the event of acute emotional and/or physical acting out and educate, provide and utilize sensory items to assist in self‑regulation.
• Communicate observations and pertinent information to Social Workers, Sr. Youth Support Specialist, Youth Support Specialist Supervisor and other members of the treatment team directly and through general and individual logs, relief notes, and telephone and visitation logs daily.
• Document all incidents requiring intervention before the end of the work shift.
• Participate in the formulation of treatment plans, the administration of discipline, and the provision of guidance and direction for the development of positive habits appropriate to the child’s age and state of development.
• Provide for safe and healthy living conditions by assigning and supervising children’s daily household chores and requesting repairs and maintenance to the physical plant as needed.
• Inspect and tidy up living unit before leaving each day (i.e., shut off lights and faucets, check bathrooms, etc.)
• Assist with life skills by ordering or shopping for supplies as needed, ensuring that clothes and linens are laundered daily and repaired when needed, and inventorying and replacing worn clothing at least seasonally.
• If working overnights, perform security rounds document as follows:
  Wyndham Lawn use the Detex Clock, Randolph uses logs. Perform and document bed…