Impactful Youth Development & Care Mentor

D. A. Blodgett - St John's; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

D.A. Blodgett - St. John's is seeking a Youth Development Specialist to provide direct care and supervision for youth within Campus Programs, including Independent Living and Residential programs. The role emphasizes building warm, therapeutic relationships and promoting safe, healthy living environments.

Responsibilities include de-escalation, positive reinforcement, and mentoring on social skills, coping strategies, and education, with a focus on trauma-informed care and youth empowerment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required by the state licensing authority. Agency prefers completed college courses in a field related to the helping profession
• Valid drivers license and good driving record
• A year of experience working with and/or volunteering with children
• Experience working with adolescents who have emotional and behavioral challenges is strongly preferred
• Good written communication skills
• Ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside DABSJ
• Promote a positive image for DABSJ in the community and in relationship with other Agencies and their personnel
• Become familiar with and follow the code of ethics for your profession and agree to abide by the related DABSJ standards
• Possess an understanding and sensitivity to the adolescent's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics with personal qualities of warmth with the ability to establish meaningful relationships with people from various cultures
• Positive acceptance of supervision to learn and be trained in job-related functions
• Personal qualities of organizational skills, assertiveness, good judgment, conscientiousness, attention to detail and timeliness
• Good health and physical condition. Free of communicable diseases
• A personal commitment to DABSJ's mission, philosophy, and values
• High frustration tolerance level

Responsibilities

• Developing and Maintaining nurturing and sound relationships with all youth, including maintenance of clear roles and boundaries
• Ensuring the supervision, health, and safety of youth
• Promoting a safe, therapeutic environment
• Learning and consistently abiding to all DABSJ, group, and individual treatment programs
• Effectively following and implementing Collaborative Problem Solving
• Fully participating in a treatment team(s), learning from others, and allowing others to learn from your
• Providing positive, mature, adult role modeling for youth at all times
• Providing effective written records and communication as required by the program
• Partnering with youth to promote the security, safety, and cleanliness of the campus
• Attending and completing all required DABSJ training sessions
• Planning, organizing, and effectively conducting therapeutic activities and recreational programs for youth
• Dispensing medications according to established schedules and procedures
• Assisting designated team lead in any necessary meal preparation and cooking with the homes
• Conduct yourself in a manner that positively reflects upon DABSJ in the community both on and off duty
• Abiding by all policies and practices at DABSJ
• Completing other reasonable assignments, which may be made by any supervisor

Job description

D.A. Blodgett - St. John's is seeking a Youth Development Specialist to provide direct care and supervision for youth within Campus Programs, including Independent Living and Residential programs. The role emphasizes building warm, therapeutic relationships and promoting safe, healthy living environments.

Responsibilities include de-escalation, positive reinforcement, and mentoring on social skills, coping strategies, and education, with a focus on trauma-informed care and youth empowerment.