Lead Youth Care Specialist

Thompson Child & Family Focus, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO + 10 holidays

Full-time benefits

401K Match

Education Reimbursement

Licensure support

Job summary

Thompson Child & Family Focus, Inc. in Tennessee seeks a Lead Youth Care Specialist to provide operational oversight, coaching, and coordination across transitional housing sites, with day and night shifts.

The role emphasizes program leadership, staff onboarding, trauma-informed care, and accurate documentation to meet agency standards and improve youth outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• High School Diploma required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a residential youth operation or related field.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, child development, and crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching, feedback, and support to Youth Care Specialists.
• Assist with onboarding new staff, including training coordination and documentation.
• Serve as a point of contact for YCS staff when Supervisors are off-site.
• Monitor daily operations across assigned sites and ensure staffing coverage.
• Document youth interactions, shift notes, and incident reports accurately.
• Assist in audits and ensure documentation meets standards.
• Align staffing and service delivery with trauma-informed care and contract goals.
• Participate in team meetings, hiring panels, and planning sessions.
• Relay feedback to leadership for resolution and improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Staff onboarding

Trauma-informed care

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Communication

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Get to know Thompson!

Thompson was founded in 1886 as an orphanage and has grown into an organization operating across the Carolinas, Florida Tennessee and Kentucky. Thompson’s continuum of care encompasses three domains: prevention, mental health services and foster care. All Thompson programs are trauma-informed and evidence-based/evidence-informed with the intention of building resilience in our clients (ages 0-18) and their families, both virtually and in person. Our values are Excellence, Innovation, Commitment, Caring and Integrity.

What will you do as a Lead Youth Care Specialist for our youth residential programs?

As a Lead Youth Care specialist, your role is to serve as critical support to Program Supervisors by providing operational oversight, coaching, and coordination across transitional housing sites in Tennessee. You will be required to work both day and night shifts.

• Support regular check-ins with Youth Care Specialists (YCS) to provide coaching, feedback, and support.
• Assist with onboarding new staff, including training coordination, badge setup, and documentation.
• Serve as a point of contact for YCS staff when Program Supervisors are off-site.
• Monitor daily operations across assigned sites, ensuring adequate staffing and shift coverage.
• Ensure accurate documentation of youth interactions, shift notes, and incident reports.
• Assist in preparing audits and ensuring documentation meets DCS and internal standards.
• Monitor adherence to trauma-informed care principles and contract goals.
• Collaborate with Program Supervisors and DCS Program Coordinators to align staffing and service delivery.
• Participate in team meetings, hiring panels, and tactical planning sessions.
• Relay feedback and concerns from YCS staff to leadership for resolution and improvement.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor

What does this position offer?

• Starting Pay Rate: $22-22.50/hourly based on experience
• Fantastic Full-time benefits…..
• 3 weeks paid time off (PTO) the first year plus 10 paid Holidays!
• Health, Dental, Vision, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Life insurance options
• 401K Match
• Education Reimbursement
• Clinical Supervision Reimbursement of $60 for eligible candidates obtaining licensure
• Eligibility to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through FAFSA after 10 years of service
• Paid time off for volunteering in the community
• Free EAP services
• Mileage Reimbursement if applicable
• iPhone and Laptop provided
• Multiple opportunities for growth

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:

• Must have a valid Driver’s License
• Meet any credentialing, licensing and privileging standards as it pertains to the program(s) they lead.
• High School Diploma required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in a residential youth operation or related experience working in the field of child and family services.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, child development, and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience, preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite application software.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, which include nights and some weekends

You’re the right fit for the Lead Youth Care Specialist position if…

• You have a passion for working with and developing youth!
• You enjoy knowing you’re making an IMPACT on the lives of others!
• EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, COMMITMENT, CARING, AND INTEGRITY are important to you!

Thompson is an Equal Opportunity Employer.