Per Diem Youth Stabilization Specialist

Seneca Family of Agencies; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 38,572 - 44,083; Full time

Job summary

Seneca Family of Agencies seeks a Youth Stabilization Specialist to provide daily care, guidance, and supervision for youth in a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). Join a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary team to foster safety, dignity, and resilience for youth in crisis.

Responsibilities include supervision, routine development, life-skills coaching, and crisis support. On-call rotations and 9-hour shift options are available, with opportunities for advancement and bilingual

Qualifications

• Education/Experience requirements as listed: Bachelor's degree OR Associate + 1 year OR High school diploma/GED + 2 years.
• Experience de-escalating crisis behaviors with youth who have experienced significant trauma in a highly structured environment using behavioral and relationship-based interventions.
• Availability to work overnight, swing, and morning shifts as operational needs require.
• Be part of a rotating emergency on-call system, scheduled with supervisor ahead of time.
• At least 21 years of age.
• TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and insurability through Seneca Family of Agencies' insurance policy

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous supervision, structure, and emotional support to youth in accordance with STRTP licensing and agency standards
• Implement daily routines, behavioral support strategies, and activities consistent with individual treatment plans
• Assist youth with life-skills development, including hygiene, self-care, communication, and problem-solving
• Participate in recreational, educational, and community-integration activities with youth
• Utilize trauma-informed communication and de-escalation techniques to help youth manage distress or conflict
• Participate in incident reviews, safety planning, and staff debriefings to improve care practices
• Coordinate and assist with making transportation arrangements for school, medical, social activities, therapy appointments, and court hearings
• Participate in an on-call rotation to provide crisis support and ensure adequate staffing as needed
• Complete all required documentation accurately and on time, consistent with CDSS STRTP and agency requirements
• Participate in weekly supervision with the program supervisor or designee

Skills

Crisis de-escalation

Trauma-informed care

Youth support

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree + 1 year experience

High school diploma/GED + 2 years experience

Job description

As the Youth Stabilization Specialist (YSS) you will inspire hope and positive change in the lives of the youth we serve by providing daily care, guidance, and supervision within a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). As part of a trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary team, you will foster a safe, structured, and supportive environment where youth can develop emotionally, behaviorally, and socially while being treated with dignity and respect. Are you ready to make a lasting impact by helping youth find hope, build resilience, and create a brighter future?

About Monterey Compass

Seneca’s Monterey County's COMPASS Program provide short-term residential treatment for children and youth experiencing crises, ensuring timely support when it’s most needed. Upon enrollment in the program, the Seneca teams work with the youth and support networks to assess the needs and strengths of the youth in order to develop the foundation goals that will drive treatment. Comprehensive services include timely mental health assessments, crisis counseling, and linkage to long-term, sustainable support based on each client’s unique strengths and needs. The ultimate goal is to provide mental health/crisis services, suicide prevention, decrease in placement changes and reduction of unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization.

About Seneca

Seneca has been nominated among the Bay Area’s Top Workplaces for several consecutive years. We’re committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities with a network of excellent mental health, community-based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff. Our programs deeply engage in conversations and training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to bring equity and justice to the youth and families we serve.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous supervision, structure, and emotional support to youth in accordance with STRTP licensing and agency standards
• Implement daily routines, behavioral support strategies, and activities consistent with individual treatment plans
• Assist youth with life-skills development, including hygiene, self-care, communication, and problem-solving
• Participate in recreational, educational, and community-integration activities with youth
• Utilize trauma-informed communication and de-escalation techniques to help youth manage distress or conflict
• Participate in incident reviews, safety planning, and staff debriefings to improve care practices
• Coordinate and assist with making transportation arrangements for school, medical, social activities, therapy appointments, and court hearings
• Participate in an on-call rotation to provide crisis support and ensure adequate staffing as needed
• Complete all required documentation accurately and on time, consistent with CDSS STRTP and agency requirements
• Participate in weekly supervision with the program supervisor or designee

Qualifications

• Education/Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree OR
  • Associate degree or equivalent + 1 year of applicable work experience OR
  • High school diploma/GED + 2 years of applicable work experience
  • Applicable experience can include paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, working in a mental health setting, or providing crisis support to youth.
• Experience de-escalating crisis behaviors with youth who have experience significant trauma in a highly structured environment utilizing behavioral and relationship-based interventions
• Availability to work overnight, swing, and morning shifts as operational needs require
• Be part of a rotating emergency on-call system, scheduled with supervisor ahead of time
• At least 21 years of age
• TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and insurability through Seneca Family of Agencies' insurance policy

Preferred

• Bilingual Spanish skill set
• Critical thinking to meet client needs, and cooperative problem solving to achieve a common team goal.
• Capacity to engage and develop rapport with youth, families, and community partners from a wide variety of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds

SCHEDULE

• Per diem, number of shifts will vary
  • 9-hour shifts; overnight, swing, morning shift available
• On-call: scheduled ahead of time with supervisor
  • One 24-hour on call day, 2 - 3 times per month

Benefits

• Starting at $28.64 - $31.14 per hour
  • Actual salary dependent of creditable experience above the minimum qualifications for the role
  • Additional compensation provided upon passing bilingual language proficiency exam
  • Salary increases each year
• Promotional opportunities across the agency in California and Washington