Care Coordinator (YR) (FT OVN)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Care Coordinator

Program: Youth Residential

Location: Bellingham, WA

Reports to: Program Manager

Hours: 40 hours per week; non-exempt position

Shift: Mon-Thur 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM (four tens)

Starting Wage Range: $25.00 – $28.14 hourly, plus shift differential

 

NWYS Mission

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness. We believe that every young person deserves a supportive community and a home where they can thrive.

Position Summary

The Youth Residential Care Coordinator is a direct service role at The PAD, Northwest Youth Services’ housing program for young people ages 13 to 17. This is a direct care position that works with youth to maintain a safe, organized, home-like environment where young people can learn daily living skills, strengthen their sense of self, and prepare for independence.

Under the direction of the Youth Residential Program Manager, Youth Residential Care Coordinators provide day-to-day care, supervision, emotional support, and guidance. Care Coordinators model and teach practical life skills, including cooking, cleaning, time management, communication, and self-advocacy. They welcome youth into the program, orient them to the space and expectations, support daily routines, provide personal attention and connect young people with social and clinical supports when needed. Youth Residential Care Coordinators work as part of a collaborative team to create a stable, caring household setting that promotes growth, wellness, and a strong sense of belonging.

Key Responsibilities

This job description reflects the essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned in response to program needs, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.

Youth Engagement and Support

• Build trusting relationships with young people in the program.
• Use healing-centered engagement, and strengths-based approaches to coach, encourage, and support young people.
• Support young people in developing and practicing independent living skills, including personal care, household tasks, communication, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and navigating systems.
• Provide on-site and community-based supervision while maintaining clear, professional boundaries.
• Learn and apply effective de-escalation, problem-solving, behavior management, and mediation skills, and intervene during conflict or crisis using these skills.

Household and Program Operations

• Help maintain a clean, safe, home-like residential environment by following established cleaning and safety protocols.
• Perform light janitorial work such as vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, wiping surfaces, taking out trash, and restocking supplies.
• Involve young people in shared household responsibilities and support them in learning to care for a home.
• Prepare and cook meals for up to twelve residents and staff, following food safety guidelines and agency procedures; engage young people in cooking and kitchen skills when appropriate.
• Dispense medications as assigned, according to program procedures and timelines; complete all related documentation and medication reconciliation accurately.
• Maintain awareness of client whereabouts and provide line of sight supervision as required. Complete room, bed, and safety checks at required intervals and document as required.
• Assist in packing client belongings, cleaning and sanitizing exited bedrooms, and preparing bedrooms for incoming youth to ensure a welcoming space.
• Provide transportation for appointments, school, employment, and approved activities; operate agency vehicles safely and in accordance with the law and agency policy.
• Involve management, the on-call supervisor, and emergency services in case of emergency.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete screenings, intakes, enrollments, and other paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain clear, professional progress notes, logbooks, and other documentation according to agency standards on each shift.
• Complete incident reports within the required timeframe for any medical emergency, facility damage, or incident outside the ordinary functioning of the program.
• Comply with mandated reporting requirements and report suspected abuse, neglect, or sexual exploitation of minors within the required timeframe.
• Follow all Northwest Youth Services policies, procedures, licensing standards, and confidentiality requirements.

Teamwork and Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with Northwest Youth Services staff, families, school district partners, crisis services, and other community providers in support of young people.
• Communicate client needs, behaviors, and safety concerns clearly and promptly to appropriate staff.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, supervision, and case consultations.
• Contribute to a workplace that values diversity and is free of discrimination based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and other aspects of identity.
• Help foster an organizational culture grounded in youth engagement, partnership, healing-centered practice, and healthy boundaries.
• Represent Northwest Youth Services professionally in all work spaces, including office areas, residential spaces, and agency vehicles.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including some weekends, evenings, overnights, and holidays, to support a twenty-four-hour program.
• Complete at least twenty-four hours of professional training and development each year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to use screens. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and to provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to frequently sit for extended periods of time, stand, walk, climb, and/or balance. Direct service employees must be able to tolerate complex and intense mental and emotional circumstances for the duration of the shift, and must be able to perform CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, and other first aid measures when required. Direct service positions require on-site presence.

Travel Requirements (positions that include driving)

This position requires frequent driving, including transporting youth in accordance with agency policies. The employee must be able to safely operate a personal vehicle and move between locations throughout the workday.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• A minimum of 1 year of full-time experience providing direct support to young people or other vulnerable populations. Relevant experience may include work in residential or shelter programs, schools, camps, after-school programs, behavioral health, or comparable settings.
• An associate’s degree or work towards a bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, or related field
• Demonstrated interest in working with young people who may have experienced homelessness, family conflict, trauma, and system involvement.
• Ability to build respectful, youth-centered relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in high-stress situations and willingness to learn and apply de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to work a residential, shift-based schedule, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, as program needs require.
• Ability to prepare clear, objective, and professional written documentation, including notes, emails, and incident reports, and to use basic computer applications for email and electronic records.
• Ability to complete all required background checks in accordance with agency and regulatory standards.
• Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license, a driving record that meets agency insurance requirements, and the ability to safely transport youth in agency vehicles.

Required within the first 30 days of employment (conditions of employment):

• CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certifications required
• Food Handler’s Certificate (positions handling food)
• Must have negative TB test
• Full understanding of the CPS mandatory reporting requirements

Ongoing requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of twenty-four hours of additional training annually, in accordance with agency policy and contract or regulatory requirements. Training topics may include trauma-informed and healing-centered practices, de-escalation, cultural humility, supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, and working effectively with Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and integrity, including maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Strong communication skills, including clear information sharing, active listening, and respectful, direct dialogue
• Initiative and problem-solving skills, with the ability to take ownership of work and approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset
• Sound judgment and critical thinking, including understanding role boundaries, following policies, and seeking guidance when needed
• Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and professional growth