Teen Support Specialist

Teen Support Specialist

Are you passionate about making a difference in teens' lives? As a Teen Support Specialist, you'll be a positive role model, leading engaging activities, supporting emotional growth, and helping youth develop life skills like cooking, time management, and teamwork. You'll supervise and care for up to four teens in a warm, trauma-informed environment, ensuring their safety and well-being while having fun with outings like hiking, go-karts, and movies. With a relaxed staff-to-youth ratio, you'll build respectful relationships, foster independence, and empower teens to thrive. Join us and be a hero in the lives of young people, guiding them toward a brighter future!

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the physical safety of youth, conduct routine headcounts and bed checks, and provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Maintain professional boundaries and develop respectful, supportive relationships with youth.
• Plan, lead, and facilitate organized daily activities and therapeutic groups, including Restorative Justice Practices and DBT-Lite.
• Interpret program goals and treatment plans to youth and their families.
• Complete all required documentation and reports accurately and promptly.
• Monitor and support youth with physical or emotional needs to ensure safety.
• Provide transportation for youth and families, including to school, jobs, activities, and appointments.
• Reinforce and role-model individualized youth needs and treatment plans.
• Foster independence, resilience, empathy, and teamwork among youth.
• Support youth in developing life skills such as time management, food preparation, personal accountability, and good study habits; mentor them in these areas.
• Assist with preparing youth for school, morning routines, meals, evening routines, and maintaining a clean, organized home environment.
• Engage youth in recreational and prosocial activities such as fishing, hiking, YMCA visits, go-karts, movies, laser tag, basketball, and more.
• Provide care for up to four youth, many referred by DCF, within a low staff-to-youth ratio (1:2 up to 1:4) in a trauma-informed, therapeutic group home environment.
• Participate in ongoing training, team meetings, and supervision.
• Provide support, guidance, and a home-like setting to promote youth development and make a positive impact in their lives.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 6 months of experience working with court-involved, at-risk, or similar youth populations - Required
• High school diploma or equivalent - Required
• Associate's degree or 60 college credits - Preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Valid driver's license to utilize a company-provided vehicle during work hours - Required
• Ability to work the listed schedule - Required

Shift and Rate of Pay:

• Full-time 40 hours per week $20.00 per hour
• Additional shifts can be picked up and are overtime eligible

Benefits:

• Low-cost Medical Insurance Plan option
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance offered after 30 days of employment
• Company Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Vacation Package (unused time eligible for carry over)
• Generous Paid Sick Time (unused time eligible for carry over)
• Paid Holiday Time (separate from vacation time)
• Floating Holidays (separate from paid vacation time and paid holiday time)
• Annual monetary incentives
• Tuition Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Company Celebrations & Employee Recognition Program
• Employee discounts (cell phone, computer)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer Federal Student Aid
• 10%-20% tuition discount at many local educational institutions, including those listed by the CT Nonprofit Alliance

About CJR:

A career at CJR is focused on working to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to thrive! CJR reaches across the state of Connecticut to deliver a broad continuum of care through our residential, education, wellness, and community-based programs. At CJR, you will experience a fulfilling career with an employer that encourages advancement, respects diversity, and rewards excellence! CJR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry. We embrace the competitive advantage of diversity.