Youth Care Worker

Position Description

The Program Support Specialist position provides program specific training, supervision, and transportation to participants. Staff is expected to demonstrate and maintain competence in each of areas outlined below.

Essential Duties

• He/she is responsible for adhering to the prescribed, authorized plan and providing an environment conducive to effective intervention services including supervision of participants and assessment of participant skill levels in order to assist them with meeting YES Plan goals.
• Active participant in the development and completion of skills cards including engaging with youth to effectively implement strategies identified in the behavioral management system.
• The incumbent facilitates delinquency interventions and value-added services to Program youth; schedules and delivers sessions in accordance with the Program Site Schedule. She/he will address questions or concerns and utilize training and instructional methods that reinforce learning. Also, advises the Case Manager when a session begins and ends, and availability for session participation.
• She/he will utilize effective management skills; assist, advise and counsel a diverse population with regard to program policies and standards while demonstrating sensitivity to needs and circumstances; performs routine follow-up with participants, Case Managers and Program Coordinator. He/she will provide updates and concerns regarding youth progress to the assigned Case Manager.
• The Program Support Specialist is responsible for filing and maintaining thorough, accurate records including assessments, assignments, reports, performing data entry and other program related information as required.
• Assists the management staff in dealing with the day-to-day operations of the site as assigned.
• Provides supervision of youth.
• Provide transportation services to youth in accordance with contract requirements and Paxen’s Fleet Safety Program.
• Promotes and facilitates value-added educational and vocational services.
• He/she may conduct participant drug screenings.
• She/he will assist in participant curfew checks.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Hours are typically 1pm – 10pm, flexible as required.
• Environment and Physical Activity

   

  The environment for this position is an open office that is clean and comfortable and includes driving a vehicle approximately 40% of the time. The incumbent is in a non-confined office-type setting in which he/she is free to move about at will.

   

  In the course of performing this position the incumbent spends time writing, typing, speaking, listening, lifting (up to 20 pounds), carrying, seeing (such as close, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and adjusted focus), sitting, pulling, walking, standing, squatting, kneeling and reaching.

   

  This position may be required to operate any or all of the following: telephone, cellular telephone, and general office equipment including copy and fax machines, calculator, personal computer and related printers. He/she must be able to sit for prolonged periods and work non-traditional hours when needed.

   

  Mental Demands

   

  The incumbent in this position must be able to: read and interpret documents or instruments, perform highly detailed work, assist or guide problem solving, resolve participant issues, perform mathematical functions, conduct meetings and presentations, prepare written communication, perform analytical reasoning, withstand stress, handle multiple, concurrent tasks and multiple interruptions and feel comfortable working with a diverse, non-traditional student population.

   

  Position Requirements

   

  These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the position in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.

   

• High School Diploma, or equivalent, and at least two years of direct experience with at-risk population. An Associate of Arts, Bachelor or Master’s Degree may substitute for two (2) years of professional experience.
• Exceptional oral, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions and instruct others. Must be able to read and follow guides; utilize effective management skills; present information to participants in a clear fashion, address questions or concerns and utilize effective training/instructional methods to reinforce learning.
• Excellent communication, organizational, time management and team building skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to facilitate groups.
• Professional in interactions with co-workers, participants, funding sources, the community and in appearance; the incumbent refrains from any conduct that would negatively impact the program or Paxen’s reputation.
• Possess the ability to work with minimal supervision while performing duties.
• Experience in Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Must successfully pass a background screening process, which includes a Level II background screening and drug screening.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage, plus a clean driving.
• The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of position given this title and should not be construed as an all-inclusive declaration of duties and responsibilities. Specific job-related duties assigned will be consistent with the essential functions listed above and should not be construed as expanding a particular position’s role, scope, FLSA status, or grade.