Residential Social Worker

Wellspring Lutheran Services; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

403(b) retirement with employer match

Employee Assistance Program (SupportLì

Mileage reimbursement

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative treatment teams

Growth opportunities within Child &amp

Job summary

Wellspring Lutheran Services—New Directions in Livonia is hiring a Residential Social Service Worker for a full‑time, on‑site role. You will build trust with youth, provide advocacy, and support families while coordinating with therapists, educators and community partners to create a cohesive care plan.

The work focuses on development, safety and long‑term stability for youth. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of experience with youth facing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human behavioral science field or related area is required.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and advocacy skills are essential.
• Ability to work effectively with youth who have emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Experience collaborating with families, schools, and community partners is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships with youth to help develop skills, confidence, and resilience.
• Collaborate with therapists, educators, residential staff, families and community partners to coordinate care.
• Advocate for youth in educational, family, and community settings.
• Support family involvement in treatment and communication.
• Assist youth through transitions toward discharge, community integration and independence.

Skills

Communication

Advocacy

Trauma-informed care

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human behavioral science or related field

Job description

Job Description:

Residential Social Service Worker | Helping Youth Build Confidence, Stability & Hope

Wellspring Lutheran Services – New Directions, Livonia | Full-Time | Salary $46,000

Accepting applications through October 28, 2026

You chose a career in human services because you wanted to make a difference.

You wanted to be the person who helps others navigate challenges, discover their strengths, and move toward a brighter future. You understand that meaningful change happens through relationships, trust, encouragement, and showing up consistently when it matters most.

At New Directions, you’ll have the opportunity to do exactly that.

New Directions provides comprehensive, trauma-informed residential services for youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges. Through therapeutic counseling, educational support, life skills development, and recreational opportunities, we help young people build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

We’re looking for a Residential Social Service Worker who believes every young person deserves an advocate, a supporter, and someone who sees their potential.

As part of our interdisciplinary clinical team, you’ll help youth work toward their goals, strengthen family connections, navigate educational challenges, build coping skills, and prepare for greater independence and success. You’ll be an important voice for the youth we serve, ensuring their needs, strengths, and perspectives remain at the center of planning and care.

Most importantly, you’ll help young people build the confidence and support systems they need to create a better future.

What Your Impact Will Look Like

You’ll build meaningful relationships with youth, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges.

You’ll collaborate with therapists, educators, residential staff, families, and community partners to create a coordinated approach to care that supports each young person’s individual goals.

You’ll advocate for youth in educational, family, and community settings, helping ensure they receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

You’ll help strengthen family involvement in treatment by encouraging communication, supporting family engagement, and creating opportunities for meaningful connection.

You’ll support youth through transitions, helping prepare them for successful discharge, community integration, and long‑term stability.

You’ll provide guidance during difficult moments, help youth develop coping strategies, and contribute to plans that promote safety, emotional regulation, and personal growth.

Some days you’ll be participating in family team meetings, collaborating with schools, supporting educational success, and coordinating services. Other days you’ll be helping a youth work through challenges, celebrating progress toward goals, or providing support to families preparing for the next step in their journey.

Every day, you’ll help create opportunities for growth, healing, and success.

The Professional We’re Looking For

• You believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
• You are passionate about helping youth and families overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
• You approach people with empathy, respect, and a trauma-informed mindset.
• You are a strong advocate who enjoys building relationships and supporting others.
• You thrive in collaborative environments and value interdisciplinary teamwork.
• You are adaptable, organized, and able to balance multiple priorities.
• You believe that hope, consistency, and encouragement can change lives.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in a human behavioral science field or related area that meets program requirements.
• At least one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or child welfare populations.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work effectively with youth who have experienced emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Experience collaborating with families, schools, community partners, or treatment teams is highly valued.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, youth-centered care.

Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?

At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we believe every child deserves someone who believes in them.

Our New Directions team provides comprehensive, trauma-informed residential services for youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges. Our program addresses each resident’s whole-person needs through therapeutic counseling, educational support, life skills development, and recreational opportunities designed to help youth heal, grow, and prepare for a successful future.

This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to change lives.

We Offer

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee Assistance Program (SupportLinc)
• Mileage reimbursement for work related travel
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary treatment teams
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Child & Family Services
• Meaningful work that positively impacts youth and families

Schedule

• Full-time
• Primarily day shift with a flexible schedule based on program and resident needs
• Combination of residential campus, community, school, and family‑based work.
• Participation in treatment team meetings, family meetings, aftercare support, and youth programming activities.

About us

For more than 130 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a trusted partner for families across Michigan, providing compassionate support and critical services to help people thrive during times of challenge and change. With deep roots in communities statewide, our team is united by a shared vision of changed lives, strong families and transformed communities.

Our mission: Motivated by Christ’s love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.

Full job description available during the interview.