Youth Support Specialist - Kids Above All
Chicago, IL 60653
About the Job
SUMMARY:
The Youth Support Specialist is responsible for performing and maintaining services and programs that satisfy specific identified needs of youth. The purpose of this position is to ensure the active engagement, safety and well-being of each youth participating in the Becoming Me program. The YSS will have an understanding of youth development and trauma. Youth Support Specialists are working with 5-7 youth who are experiencing or have experienced trauma, violence and or abuse. The incumbent demonstrates ethical behavior and maintains clear and healthy boundaries with youth while performing all aspects of their designated responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Establish a mentoring relationship that emphasizes the emotional safety of youth that participate program. Provide skill building interventions, self-awareness and self-reflective practices that will ensure full participation in the weekly activities of the program.
- Perform all case management functions and responsibilities in a youth focused, culturally competent manner. This includes but is not limited to needs assessment, case planning and management, documentation, etc.
- Identify, make referrals to, and coordinate necessary and appropriate community resource programs. Establish and maintain working relationships with peers, community and court appointed partners, educators, youth support systems, and resource staff to achieve established program plan goals.
- Develop and maintain supportive, nurturing, and empowering relationships with youth. Perform administrative duties to support the program as needed.
- Follow protocol as it relates to ensuring client safety including the use of de-escalation techniques and adherence to the behavior management.
- Perform all duties associated with day-to-day safety, teachings, modeling and guidance of the youth, including implementation of each youth's care / behavior management plan.
- Weekly detailed documentation in AWARDS database.
- Make monthly visits to school and home. Visits may be virtual.
- Facilitate and participate in weekly groups session and document accordingly.
- Participate in individual supervision on a regular basis.
- Attend and participate in program and agency meetings and trainings as designated by the Leadership Team.
- Complete all necessary paperwork and documentation in an accurate and timely manner.
- Engage in all offered training, consultations and supervisions made available. Fully and professionally respond to and implement all directives and advice offered by all supervisory and training personnel as well as professionally offered feedback from coworkers.
- Adhere to all agency and division policies and procedures to ensure the safety and integrity of the program.
- All employees are expected to use a trauma informed approach to all work duties
WORK HOURS
Part-time position that is 22.5 hours/week. Flexibility to work evenings, if necessary.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Youth Support Specialist must possess at least High School diploma. and 1-2 years of experience in youth development, youth mentoring or life skills training.
- Possess a Current driver’s license, and access to an insured automobile.