Youth Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Community Action Partnerships of Western Nebraska (CAPWN) is a non-profit community-based health and human services organization that serves low-income, disadvantaged and those unable to meet their needs through other sources. The agency was established in 1965 and provides services to over 9,000 individuals, children and families in three main areas:

• Community Health Services : WIC, Commodity Supplemental Food, Foster Grandparents, Head Start, and Child Development Center.
• Clinical Health Services : Primary Care, Reproductive Health, Diabetes Management, Immunizations, Migrant Health, Ryan White HIV; Behavioral Health including Counseling Services, Medication Management, Medication Assisted Treatment and Substance Use Counseling and Intensive Outpatient Services and Dental Services. 
• Supportive Health Services : Family Stabilization, a Teen Outreach Program, SOAR, Youth Leadership Program, Youth Shelter and Housing Assistance Programs. 

OUR PROMISE : Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. 

VISION

Communities where everyone has an opportunity for a successful life.

MISSION

The Mission Statement of the Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska is to provide quality services and promote learning opportunities to improve nurture the health and well-being of Western Nebraska communities.

KEY BELIEFS

• Integrity— We treat all people with dignity and respect.
• Compassion— We believe working compassionately with people enriches all.

• Inclusion— We are inclusive and advocate for diversity.
• Collaboration— We believe working in partnerships strengthens communities; we seek mutually beneficial partnerships that advance a common mission.
• Innovation— We embrace opportunities to learn, grow and make wise choices.

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE :

● Health ● Dental ● Vision ● Health Savings Account (HSA) ● Flex Plan ● 401k ● Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance ● Eleven Paid Holidays ● PTO ● Extended Illness (EIB) ● Employee Assistance Program ● Aflac ● Community Discounts ● Potential for Incentive Pay ●

*Employment is contingent upon successfully completing our onboarding requirements, including, but not limited to, criminal background checks, drug screenings, Department of Health and Human Services background checks, and other relevant background checks and background information. 

**4‑day, 10‑hour schedule**

FULL-TIME - 1:00 PM to 11:00PM

(Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

Job Title: Youth Specialist

Reports To: Youth Site Manager

Areas of Responsibility: Responsible for implementing daily activities of the assigned youth services program, in accordance with the program policies and procedures. Interact with youth and provide a clean, safe, consistent, and therapeutic environment, in a 24/7 facility, substitute in other youth programs.  

Major Duties :

1. Be responsible for creating a safe, supportive, therapeutic environment including positive role modeling, behavioral management and close supervision of youth. Provide the therapeutic environment using Trauma Informed Best Practices.
2. Supervise youth staying in a residential facility; provide skill building, recreational activities, and educational development.
3. Provide positive interactions during intake and assessment process. Make sure that the documentation is thorough and complete (meet’s manager’s approval). Ensures funders and licensing requirements are meet.
4. Interact with youth in an effective, healthy manner in implementing daily program activities in the residential programs., using positive youth development principles.
5. Facilitate youths’ completion of all daily activities in accordance with program rules, as well as facility rules and guidelines.
6. Serve as a mentor for youth and conduct self in a professional manner by teaching safe respectful boundaries.
7. Maintain confidentiality of records and communications following CAPWN policy and HIPAA privacy and security policies and procedures. 
8. Record all significant events in resident behavior logs, including goals, observed behavior, medication, phone contacts and other assigned information.
9. Maintain case files, data and required documentation for Volunteer, Internships and Youth Services Contracts/Grants.
10. Make appropriate documentation for the intake procedure, scheduling, care plan, daily log, discharge plan and aftercare for each resident.
11. Maintain open communications with other staff through the use of communication logs, daily briefings and attendance at staff meetings to provide an effective, consistent, and professional level of care to the youth and families served.
12. Assist the managers in program planning, program implementation, and providing program feedback.
13. Provide youth with comprehensive and integrated information re: agency and community resources. Assist youth in making positive community connections.
14. Be aware of local, state and national laws, and juvenile codes that affect youth and families.
15. Be knowledgeable of resources for and rights/responsibilities of homeless youth.
16. Practice appropriate interventions and logical/natural consequences with each youth; Using Trauma Informed Care implement a positive plan for behavior within the facility.
17. Network with and partner with panhandle school systems to provide a seamless continuum of educational care for runaway, homeless, and system-involved youth.
18. Network and partner with panhandle-wide counseling services to provide crisis prevention, intervention, and post-vention to panhandle youth.
19. As assigned, be responsible for the accurate accounting of household expenditures, agency and program data tracking, and daily documentation reports.
20. Review daily log and client’s files at the beginning of each shift and maintain accurate records during assigned shift.
21. Ensure that residents observe bedtime and/or curfews. (Staff are not allowed to sleep).
22. Assist in maintaining healthy, safe, and productive residential environments:
    1. Provide direct and effective supervision of all youth in the residential program facilities.
    2. Plan and prepare all meals according to USDA Standards and/or teach youth as part of their          

independent living skills training.

1. Attend to facility cleaning and laundry and/or teach youth as part of their independent living skills training.

1. Work assigned shift as scheduled, arriving before shift start and staying for the full shift; notify supervisor in advance of any requests or adjustments.
2. Maintain CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification.
3. Provide transportation as required by program.
4. Provide community outreach to educate and raise awareness of runaway and homeless youth, ensure youth are aware of services offered at CAPWN youth shelter.
5. As a CAPWN team member, dedicate your energy to providing high quality, value-added customer service and care to our clients.  Embrace the CAPWN Standards of Behavior, practicing integrity, strong communication and respect for leaders and peers. Engage with the team and commit to improving and nurturing the health and well-being of the individuals in the communities we serve.  
6. Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• On-site work with youth. 
• Training, meetings, community interactions.
• Requires a high energy level and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Occasional out-of-town travel for training.
• Will work evenings and weekends depending on assigned schedule.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to move about quickly if necessary
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Physically able to perform job
• Must complete health physical, and TB testing, upon entry to program. Every two years background checks will be completed again as well as a health physical, and TB test. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

Grade: 2

1. High school education or equivalent.
2. Must have attained age 21.
3. Must have a valid driver’s license, insured vehicle and good driving record.
4. Must pass criminal history background checks, child abuse/adult abuse and sexual abuse register background checks.
5. Current CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification or must be able to acquire within three months. 
6. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
7. Knowledge of age-appropriate child/youth development.
8. Able to attend meetings and training sessions in or out of the area
9. Must have flexible schedule and be able to work primarily evenings, weekends and on-call when needed.

Grade: 3

1. Must meet minimum requirement above.
2. AA degree in human service-related field and one year experience; or a minimum of three years’ experience in a similar position, such as working with runaway and homeless youth, foster care, community outreach worker, family support worker, etc. or a BA degree in the field of human service.

Grade: 4

1. Must meet minimum requirements above.
2. AA degree in human services related field plus three years’ experience, or BA degree in human

services and two years’ experience, or specialized training.   

" We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law ."