Positive Youth Development Specialist

Outagamie County; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Outagamie County DHHS is seeking a Youth Care Specialist to support youth and families in the Youth & Family Services Division. The role focuses on safe environments, positive development, and accurate reporting.

You will work in community-based settings, with scheduling flexibility and occasional after-hours or Saturday morning shifts. Remote work may be considered after 6 months for administrative tasks, with in-person duties remaining primary.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of work or educational experience related to youth care preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of pre-employment testing including physical, TB, and vision tests.

Responsibilities

• Supervises activities for youth and supports pro-social development.
• Provides support and education to parents/caregivers.
• Monitors youth and responds to mental/emotional distress or illness.
• Maintains accurate records of juvenile count, property, money, and incidents.
• Coordinates with law enforcement, social services, schools, and families.
• Ensures compliance with Shelter Care policies and Department regulations.
• Provides transportation for youth to school, work, appointments, and activities.
• Documents custody procedures and maintains resident files.
• Receives and inventories food and supplies and reports to supervisor.

Skills

Effective communication

Decision making under pressure

Recordkeeping

Transportation coordination

Interpersonal skills with youth

Job description

Under general direction of the Supervisor; the Youth Care Specialist performs work involving the care and custody of juveniles, assuring a safe, secure environment, providing positive influence, and preparing and maintaining related logs and reports. They also focus on the individualized needs of youth and caregivers currently served within the Youth & Family Services Division.

The Positive Youth Development Specialist will work alongside Outagamie County DHHS staff to offer community based one-on-one and group services; focusing largely on the areas of community service, employment readiness, competency development, and caregiver support. Additionally, this position provides support to various programs within the Division of Youth and Family Services, which includes but is not limited to: Shelter Care and Electronic Monitoring.

The Positive Youth Development Specialist role requires scheduling flexibility in order to meet the needs of the consumers served within the program. Therefore, the core hours of this position will be Monday through Friday, 8-4:30P; however applicants will be expected to flex their schedule to accommodate assisting youth and families with routine prior to school as well as after hour meetings, additionally up to two Saturday morning shifts per month.

What does success look like in your first year?

In your first year, you’ll build strong relationships with youth, families, teammates, and community partners while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve. Success means using a strengths-based approach, actively engaging youth and families, and providing supportive services that help individuals achieve positive outcomes.

Remote work:

Work from Home (WFH) may be considered once applicant has been in their role for no less than 6 months. Work From Home will be approved based on division workload, coverage needs, and supervisor approval based on role expectations. This position is primarily field-based and requires regular in-person work with consumers, families, and community partners. As such, opportunities to work from home will be limited and must align with the operational needs of the division. Examples of activities that may be appropriate for WFH include attending virtual trainings and completing documentation.

Benefits:

Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.gov/Our-County/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits-Information

The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Supervises and directs educational, recreational, intellectual, competency development, and pro-social activities for youth.
• Provides support and education to parents/caregivers.
• Monitors and interacts with youth in an individual or group setting and appropriately engages with residents who may be experiencing mental/emotional distress or are physically ill.
• Maintains accurate and complete records of juvenile count, personal property, money, incidents, activities, etc.
• Cooperates and maintains clear communication with law enforcement, social service agencies, social workers, juvenile intake, schools and resident's significant others.
• Maintains discipline and adheres to the rules and regulations pertaining to the policies and procedures of the Division.
• Provides transportation for youth residents to school, work, appointments, and recreational activities.
• Remains educated on and maintains compliance with the rules and regulations governing the Shelter Care facility including DCF59 Administrative Code requirements and Department Policies.
• Completes custody procedures when a youth is placed into the facility; documents appropriate information, and maintains required documentation in resident files.
• Receives incoming perishable and non-perishable items; dates and stores items in appropriate areas and takes inventory of food and other supplies and reports to the facility Supervisor.

• A minimum of one year previous work and/or educational experience preferred that has provided the skills and knowledge necessary to provide proper care to youth who are experiencing mental, emotional, behavioral, or physical difficulties or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of pre-employment testing which includes but not limited to a physical exam, TB test and Vision test.

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of receiving, releasing, and maintaining custody of youth residents.
• Knowledge of adolescent behavior, brain development, inter-personal relations, and social/peer interaction.
• Understand the operation and purpose of the Shelter Care facility and to remain educated on other community service providers.
• Ability to maintain composure and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments including normal working conditions and high stress situations.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for youth residents and provide positive direction and supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, parents, social workers, public defenders, juvenile intake workers, school personnel, mental health professional, law enforcement, maintenance workers, and other providers both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate and complete records, and prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Must operate a variety of office equipment including personal computer, computer terminal, calculator, telephone, fax, Electronic Monitoring and security equipment.
• Ability to operate a variety of household appliances including dishwasher, microwave, clothes washer and dryer, vacuum cleaner, etc.
• Recognize and respond to residents' health needs.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 30 pounds.