Life Skills Specialist

PURPOSE

The Jewish Board’s Community Behavioral Health programs provide compassionate, high-quality, evidence-based services to individuals and families in the communities we serve. Using a culturally responsive, person-centered approach, staff help individuals and families build skills and access resources that improve functioning, foster hope, and strengthen resilience. Our programs partner closely with community organizations to address health disparities while honoring community strengths. Our children’s community residences are single-site group homes for up to eight children and adolescents, offering a supervised, trauma-informed therapeutic environment that builds the skills needed to live successfully in the community and participate in school or work, as appropriate.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Life Skills Specialist is a key member of the Westchester Ave CCR team, providing direct support to youth in developing daily living skills such as household management, meal preparation, and appointment coordination. The position also partners with the interdisciplinary team on service planning, crisis intervention, and safety planning to promote stability, independence, and overall well‑being.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide structured life skills training in daily living, personal hygiene, meal preparation, budgeting, time management, public transportation, and community safety. Develop and implement individualized life skills interventions based on each youth’s strengths, needs, treatment goals, developmental level, and transition plan. Provide individual and group coaching, modeling, and hands‑on practice in the residence and community to build independence, problem‑solving, self‑advocacy, and age‑appropriate decision‑making. Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team, including clinical, residential, educational, and family supports, to integrate life skills development into each youth’s service plan and daily routine. Document services, progress, and barriers in a timely manner; share relevant observations with the treatment team; engage caregivers, as appropriate; and help youth apply skills during home visits, school, work, and community transitions. Run weekly groups independent living skills groups. Can be called upon to work 1:1 with a youth who’s in crisis. Take and complete Medication Administration Training (MAT). Complete Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training (TCI). Maintain professional behaviors and ethical standards as established by licensing board, relevant professional association and the Jewish Board policies and procedures. The ability to travel and navigate the community in order to provide services where the youth and family will benefit most from the services delivered. Additional duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strong teaching and coaching skills, including the ability to develop individualized skills plans and help youth build independence and self‑sufficiency. Skills in financial management, cooking, household maintenance, and personal hygiene training. Conduct frequent fieldwork and travel within the boroughs using public transportation or an agency vehicle, as available. Ability to work from a strengths‑based, trauma‑informed, and youth development framework. Compassionate, warm, and empathetic engagement with youth. Commitment to supporting and advocating for young people. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and provide consistent support. Reliability, professionalism, respect for diversity, and belief in the capacity for change. Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and remain calm in high‑pressure situations. Strong organizational, advocacy, and problem‑solving skills. Knowledge of housing resources, public benefits, and entitlement systems. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, build partnerships with external providers, navigate complex systems, and work independently. Flexibility and adaptability in responding to the evolving needs of the youth served.

EDUCATIONAL / TRAINING REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, education, rehabilitation, or a related field required. Coursework or training in child and adolescent development, trauma‑informed care, mental health, or independent living skills is strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED / LANGUAGE PREFERENCE

Experience working with children, adolescents, or transition‑age youth with serious emotional disturbance, behavioral health needs, or complex psychosocial needs in residential, school, community‑based, or behavioral health settings is strongly preferred. Experience providing skills training, coaching, crisis support, or rehabilitative interventions is highly desirable. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive, person‑centered services and communicate effectively with youth, families, providers, and community partners from diverse backgrounds is strongly valued.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health record systems is required. Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation. Maintain records in accordance with agency standards. Communicate effectively with team members through electronic systems. Track service delivery and related activities.

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXTERITY

This position requires sufficient visual, auditory, verbal, and manual ability to perform essential job functions, including the ability to read, prepare, and maintain documentation; use standard office equipment and electronic systems; and participate safely in routine program and community‑based activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL EFFORT

Work is performed in an OMH‑licensed children’s community residence and in community‑based settings, including schools, medical or service appointments, recreational venues, and other approved locations. The position requires regular movement throughout the residence and community, including walking and travel by public or agency‑approved transportation. It may also involve occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of routine program materials and active participation in household, recreational, and community‑based activities that support youth skill development. The role requires the ability to respond appropriately to behavioral, emotional, and safety‑related situations involving youth; follow agency and program protocols; maintain professional boundaries; and remain composed in a fast‑paced therapeutic environment. All responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with OMH regulations, Medicaid and agency documentation standards, confidentiality requirements, and applicable policies related to safety, incident reporting, mandated reporting, and youth‑centered care.

BENEFITS

Generous paid time off in addition to paid agency holidays and 15 sick days. Affordable and high‑quality medical/dental/vision plans. Tuition assistance and educational loan forgiveness. Free continuing education opportunities. 403(b) retirement benefits and a pension. Flexible spending accounts for health and transportation. 27/7 Accessible Employee Assistance Program. Life and disability insurance.

WHO WE ARE

The Jewish Board delivers innovative, high‑quality, and compassionate mental health and social services to over 45,000 New Yorkers each year. We are unique in serving everyone from infants and their families to children, teens, and adults. We are proud to employ and serve people of all religions, races, cultural backgrounds, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. We are committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams to help support our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds to apply to work with us.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services