Youth Care Specialist

Youth Care Specialist-Intervention Center

The Youth Care Specialist is a professional person appointed to promote public safety by providing a safe, clean, caring setting to deliver program services that lower risk and respond to the mental health, behavioral health and life-skills needs of court-involved youth and families in Greene County with a focus on reducing reliance on secure confinement while promoting the goals, objectives and mission of the organization.

The Youth Care Specialist is an unclassified employee appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Greene County Juvenile Court Judge under the provision of 2151.13 of the Ohio Revised Code. The Youth Care Specialist is charged with providing a standard of performance in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.

Job duties (examples may not be comprehensive):

• Youth Supervision and Direct Care:
  Supervise and interact with youth as a direct-care worker; direct and supervise the movement of juveniles; provide direct supervision of volunteers, interns, parents, visitors and service personnel; ensure compliance with program rules, policies and procedures; perform daily assignments including transportation and food service; ensure quality and timeliness of program schedule; facilitate delivery of Behavior Reinforcement System and sanctions pursuant to principles of cognitive-behavioral interventions;
  
  inform disciplinary decisions relating to youth; intervene and direct crisis intervention pursuant to policy and CPI training; mediate disputes; facilitate group sessions including social skills training; support program completion and transition; prepare and maintain records on youth activities including incident reports and behavior progress; collaborate with Director and Assistant Director of Prevention and Intervention Services, Mental Health Therapist and Assessment Service Coordinator regarding delivery of treatment needs of youth;
  
  monitor personal hygiene practices of youth; assist in self-administration of medications pursuant to medical treatment plans; supervise and assist youth in the cleaning/maintenance of the facility.
• Safety and Security:
  Randomly search youth as part of search for contraband; ensure safety, health and security standards are upheld at all times; observe and report illness or injury; ensure first aid kits are re-stocked; administer CPR/first aid; escort youth to and from different areas of the facility; maintain control via verbal intervention techniques pursuant to crisis prevention training; operate electronic security system.
• Program Operations and Services:
  Facilitate property maintenance, including landscaping, painting and deep cleaning tasks; facilitate special projects and programming; facilitate quality assurance measures; ensure orderliness and cleanliness of facility towards positive image and compliance with health and safety code regulations; stock supplies; facilitate preparation and consumption of meals; document safety and emergency exercises; manage facility community service tasks including but not limited to project point of contact, community networking, project strategy and supervision, general maintenance and grounds-keeping functions.
• Family Engagement Support:
  Support with coordinating initial contact with youth and families referred to the Intervention Center; deliver orientation to youth and families referred to the Intervention Center; manage transportation needs and scheduling of transportation; attend court hearings; maintain regular contact with families as a support staff.
• Community and Public Relations:
  Ensure the organization and its mission, programs and services present a positive image; act as liaison with the public, other youth service agencies including the Ohio Department of Youth Services, court officials, mental health practitioners, social services workers, medical personnel, university personnel, parents/guardians, students, case workers, school officials, law enforcement; deliver presentations to tour groups; attend court hearings.
• Meetings/Committees:
  Program Review Committee;
  Assessment Team Meeting;
  Intervention Center Meeting;
  …