Youth Engagement Specialist

Shift Available: Multiple Locations – Polk County (Florida)

ANCHOR HOUSE MINISTRIES

Anchor House Ministries is a Christian foster care home committed to helping young men and women in crisis. Since 1974, AHM strives to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to young men and women (ages 12-18) who have been referred to us by the State of Florida. 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 educational assessment, individual counseling, life skills training, and by simply meeting their basic human needs of food, shelter, and companionship. Our staff also teaches residents to manage their own behavior so they may be reunited with their family when possible, or safely navigate the transition into an adult life of independence and self‑sufficiency.

JOB DESCRIPTION

General Functions Provide direct care and supervision within the Mission of the organization. Document tasks related to the safety and wellbeing of residents. Work with neglected, abandoned, and abused youth and young adults who are emotionally and socially challenged. Maintain an encouraging and healing atmosphere for residents’ social, physical, spiritual, and educational development. Implement treatment programs for the residents. Perform under the supervision of the Program Director and/or assigned supervisor. Minimum Qualifications High school graduate or equivalent and one year of experience in direct care (preferably in a youth residential setting) or an equivalent combination of education or training. Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. Have and maintain a clear MVR (motor vehicle record). Must pass a county of residence and federal background check. Should be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet functions, preferably Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as general email and attachment functions. Essential Functions Have a commitment to keeping the facility clean at all times. This includes nightly chore duties as applicable. Complete regular bedroom checks. Assist in making sure the residents are to school in a timely manner. Learn and utilize conflict management skills and de‑escalation techniques. Have the ability to fill out checklists and fulfill assigned tasks. Prepare all required reports and ensure all documentation is accurate and processed in a timely and appropriate manner. Plan, prepare, and serve nutritional and attractive food for residents’ consumption. Assist in implementation of educational, life skills, and behavioral management goals. Assess residents’ problems to make appropriate applications of social learning techniques. Monitor residents’ physical condition and report any medical needs to supervisor to assure proper attention and documentation. Direct Care Staff must provide services in a way that is sensitive to diverse cultures and socioeconomic populations. Demonstrate and teach the importance of orderliness, cleanliness, and responsibility for the living environment. Teach basic independent living skills and proper work ethic when appropriate. Encourage interpersonal relationships and honor personal privacy. Teach respect for the rights of others and responsibility for oneself. Demonstrate a Christian lifestyle and regularly participate in private and community worship. Maintain continuous supervision of boys at all times, notifying supervisors of any unusual problems which may arise. Transport residents to and from scheduled activities and appointments. Supervise and/or participate in all activities planned for the residents. Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and online training. Full‑time employees require 40 hours annually. Part‑time employees must have 20 hours per year. Evaluate, synthesize and communicate diagnostic information to the supervisor and/or other staff. Make quality improvement a priority of day‑to‑day operations. Be involved in providing feedback on Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) data. Physical Requirements 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 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 materials, equipment, and supplies. Be able to physically intervene should an altercation commence between residents, and de‑escalation techniques have failed. Cognitive Abilities 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. Access information from books, reference manuals, computers, and paper and electronic medical documents to perform duties and safely use equipment. Prioritize, organize, and utilize time‑management skills to perform tasks. Training Required BHT certification. CPR & First Aid. CPI. HIPAA. Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Security. Emergency Response. Trauma Informed Care. Cultural Awareness/Diversity. Safe Working Practices. Medication Control & Administration. Psychotropic Medication. Runaway Prevention. Food Safety. Special Consideration Staff, 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 de‑escalate in emergency situations. Anchor House Ministries has the right to change this job description to meet the needs of our organization. Under Title VII, religious organizations are permitted to give employment preference to members of their own religion. The exception applies only to those institutions whose “purpose and character are primarily religious.” Job Type: Full‑time Benefits 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Work Location: In person #J-18808-Ljbffr Anchor-House-Ministries