Youth Engagement Specialist - Weekend… at Anchor House… · Winter…

Youth Engagement Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Anchor House Ministries is a Christian child welfare ministry committed to helping youth and young men and women in crisis. AHM strives to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to youth (ages 12-17), who have been referred to us by the State of Florida or private counselors. The young adult program for ages 18 – 24 serves young men and women who have aged out of foster care and need support. Residents end up at Anchor House for many reasons. Some have been orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or abused. Others are simply struggling to find their way in life. AHM staff works with residents through the treatment team, educational assessment, individual counseling, life skills training, and by simply meeting their basic human needs of nurture, food, shelter. The team focuses on the healing of youth, enabling them to manage their own emotions and build healthy relationships. The goal is family reunification or adoption, when possible, while other youth are prepared to safely navigate the transition into an .

Position Description:

• Implement quality care of the youth in the program.
• Follow policies and procedures on your shift.
• Work closely with your Shift Lead to ensure the youth receives quality care and treatment that meets their needs.
• Complete documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide direct care and general supervision within the Mission of the organization.

Full-Time Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 403(b) with gift and matching options
• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday pay.
• Accident Insurance incentive

Compensation: $17 - $20 hourly

Days: Friday-Sunday

Hours: 10 PM- 11 AM

Minimum Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma or GED
• Bachelor's degree or some college preferred
• Experience with at-risk youth preferred
• Support the mission and vision of Anchor House.
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Required: Have and maintain a clear MVR (motor vehicle record).
• Must be 21 or older for insurance purposes.
• Must pass and maintain a county of residence check, federal background check, drug screen, civil check, child abuse record check, and sex registry check. (These are subject to change based on Federal and State regulations)
• Should be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced proficiency in Word processing and spreadsheet functions, preferably Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher as well as general email and attachment functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide trauma-informed direct supervision for abused, neglected, and emotionally and socially handicapped children.

• Work with the team to teach youth skills in the areas of: problem solving, self-management, social interaction, academics, independent living, self-regulation, and employment.

• Participate in treatment team, school and other staffing tasks as deemed necessary.

• Manage trauma-induced behaviors and utilize de-escalation skills.

• Participate in escorting or holding violent youth as needed.

• Complete daily documentation on medication, self-care, and the youth’s goals. Ensure all documentation or required records and reports are accurate and thorough.

• Provide transportation.

• Provide supervision and instruction on community outings.

• Follow the structure that the shift lead has set on the shift.

• Engage and connect with youth who are placed in the treatment program.

• Maintain an encouraging and healing atmosphere for residents’ social, physical, spiritual, and educational development.

• Assist youth in meeting their treatment program goals based off the treatment team’s recommendations.

• Attend regular training and professional development.

• Ensures cleanliness, safety, and maintenance of facilities and equipment.

• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritional and attractive food for residents’ consumption.

• Monitor residents’ physical condition and report any medical needs to supervisor to assure proper attention and documentation.

• Demonstrate and teach the importance of orderliness, cleanliness, and responsibility for the living environment.

• Encourage interpersonal relationships and honor personal privacy.

• Teach respect for the rights of others and responsibility for oneself.

• Demonstrate a Christian lifestyle.

• Work with team members of all backgrounds and make creating a culture of respect and inclusivity a priority.

• Provide services in a way that is sensitive to diverse cultures and socioeconomic populations.

• Make quality control a part of your daily focus and participate in data review and analysis as needed

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Ability to use a variety of computer programs.
• Able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill in motivating and engaging youth.
• Skill in organizing and relating information in an understandable format.
• Skill in critical thinking and planning.
• Skill in leadership and team building.

Physical Requirements

• Independently perform (with or without accommodations):
  • Possess auditory, olfactory, and visual skills.
  • Exhibit manual dexterity and mobility.
  • Walk and/or stand for long and extended periods of time.
  • Lift and/or carry up to 25-50 pounds from the floor to waist level or higher at least several times per day, and be able to carry the object for a distance of two meters.
  • Handle, install, position, and move items such as materials, equipment, and supplies.
  • Able to physically intervene should an altercation commence between residents and de-escalation techniques have failed.

Cognitive Abilities

• Independently perform (with or without accommodations):
  • Function in a structured environment within significant time constraints, make rapid decisions in urgent situations, and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate good judgment and make appropriate professional and procedural judgment decisions under stressful and/or emergency conditions, emergent demands, and distracting environments.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to assist with and perform a wide variety of procedures common to the residential care setting; including ….
  • Access information from books, reference manuals, computers, and paper and electronic medical documents to perform duties and safely and use equipment.
  • Prioritize, organize, and utilize time-management skills to perform tasks.

Training Required

At least 40 hours annual of DCF, COA and other required training will be provided.

Performance Review Period

90 Day Review

Annual Review

Of Special Consideration

Youth Engagement Specialists, whether male or female, may have to intervene in situations where residents may be unclothed such as bedrooms, restrooms or shower areas. Though not the norm, employees are expected to intercede and deescalate in emergency situations.

Crisis Prevention Intervention training provides the knowledge and understanding for utilizing safety holds in these emergency situations. There is a high potential risk of physical harm to the employee during these circumstances.