Lead Treatment Technician - First Shift at Lad Lake in Milwaukee, WI

LEAD TREATMENT TECHNICIAN - FIRST SHIFT Full Time · Location: Milwaukee, WI, US WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS At Lad Lake, we believe every young person has the ability to thrive when they are surrounded by consistent relationships, safe environments, and caring adults who believe in their potential. The Lead Treatment Specialist plays an important role in creating that environment by supporting daily living unit operations, mentoring Youth Care Workers, and ensuring youth receive consistent, trauma-informed care. This position serves as a key connection between frontline staff and leadership by helping reinforce expectations, strengthen teamwork, support staff development, and promote a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment where youth can learn, grow, and succeed. POSITION SUMMARY The Lead Treatment Specialist assists the Shift Manager with the daily supervision and operation of the designated living unit. This position provides leadership, coaching, and support to Treatment Specialists and Youth Care Workers while helping ensure compliance with licensing requirements, safety standards, treatment expectations, and Lad Lake’s trauma-informed care philosophy. The Lead Treatment Specialist supports behavior management strategies, staff training, resident programming, documentation, and communication with internal and external partners. This role serves as a positive role model for both youth and staff while promoting consistency, accountability, and a caring treatment environment. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES LIVING UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES • Support the Shift Manager in maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic living environment that meets DCF licensing requirements and Lad Lake standards. • Demonstrate and reinforce Trauma-Informed Care principles by modeling appropriate interactions and behavior management approaches with youth and staff. • Assist in ensuring staffing, safety practices, and physical conditions of the living unit meet agency expectations and regulatory requirements. • Develop and monitor weekly activity schedules for staff to follow during non-school hours to ensure youth have meaningful and structured activities. • Assist in ensuring medication administration procedures are followed consistently by staff. • Ensure required reporting procedures are followed, including: • Accurate incident reporting • Status documentation • Appropriate internal and external communication and notifications • Promote consistent use of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention practices, including appropriate restraint and seclusion procedures when required. • Meet regularly with the Shift Manager to ensure consistency in expectations, procedures, communication, and unit operations. • Promote effective communication between staff across shifts through: • Unit logs • Point sheet documentation • Verbal communication and shift updates • Ensure staff maintain appropriate supervision and engagement with youth at all times during assigned shifts. • Perform other related duties as assigned. STAFF LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES • Assist the Shift Manager in developing a cohesive, supportive, and accountable team culture. • Promote a caring atmosphere among team members while encouraging professionalism, teamwork, and respect. • Support a positive approach to youth care and treatment practices. • Assist with onboarding, training, coaching, and mentoring Youth Care Workers by modeling effective youth care skills and behaviors. • Provide feedback to the Shift Manager regarding staff performance, development opportunities, and recognition. • Help ensure staff understand and consistently implement policies, procedures, and treatment expectations. • Promote positive working relationships with other departments and programs throughout Lad Lake. • Ensure Lad Lake’s Trauma-Informed Care philosophy is implemented and followed. RESPONSIBILITIES TO RESIDENTS • Build positive, therapeutic relationships with youth that support trust, growth, and skill development. • Attend evaluation conferences and participate in unit intakes and discharges as requested. • Coordinate with Therapists, the Shift Manager, Out of Home Care Coordinator, and Youth Care Workers regarding implementation of resident treatment plans. • Support youth in developing skills necessary for success in their home and community environments. • Facilitate skill-building groups and activities designed to promote responsibility, independence, and positive decision-making. • Provide encouragement, guidance, and consistency to help youth learn, grow, and succeed. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, a related human services field, or special education with certification for emotional disturbance or learning disabilities, with experience specifically related to the client population served; or • Minimum of two years of experience in public or private institutional childcare serving the population served. Additional requirements: • Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record that meets Lad Lake guidelines. SKILLS & COMPETENCIES Successful candidates demonstrate: • Ability to coach, mentor, and support the development of others. • Strong judgment and ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills. • Ability to build trusting relationships with youth. • Ability to remain calm and effective during challenging situations. • Ability to provide consistent leadership and direction to frontline staff. • Commitment to trauma-informed care and positive youth development. • Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, families, and community partners. WHY JOIN LAD LAKE? At Lad Lake, you are part of a team committed to helping youth and families overcome challenges and create brighter futures. We invest in our employees through professional development, training opportunities, and meaningful work that makes a lasting impact. As a Lead Treatment Specialist, you will have the opportunity to influence the daily experience of youth, support the growth of your teammates, and contribute to a culture where young people and employees can thrive. STANDARD REQUIREMENTS All employees are expected to: 1. Support Lad Lake’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values. 2. Maintain confidentiality of client, employee, and organizational information. 3. Promote client rights, dignity, privacy, and safety. 4. Follow all licensing, regulatory, safety, and organizational requirements. 5. Maintain compliance with required training and professional development. 6. Demonstrate teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and respect in all interactions. 7. Complete documentation accurately and timely. 8. Follow agency policies and procedures. 9. Complete other duties as assigned.