Youth Care Specialist (8386)

Lutheran Services Florida, Inc.; Crestview (FL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

Telehealth

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employer paid life insurance (1Xsalary

13 paid holidays + floating holiday

Generous PTO policy (starting at 16)

403(b) Retirement plan with 3% match

Job summary

Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. (LSF) is seeking a part-time Youth Care Specialist to support youth ages 10-17. The role focuses on delivering direct services, ensuring safety, and assisting with educational growth and life-skills development.

Key duties include supervision, intake processing, meal supervision, and coordinating daily activities with the Program Manager. This position emphasizes teamwork, strong communication, and resilience in a dynamic residential setting.

Qualifications

• Entry-level position; prior youth work preferred.
• Strong organization and communication are essential.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with clients, staff and the public.

Responsibilities

• Supervise youth ages 10-17 and maintain a safe, secure environment.
• Transport and accompany residents to outside activities.
• Assist with daily facility maintenance with the Program Manager.
• Help ensure 24-hour direct care staff coverage.
• Screen clients, conduct intakes, and administer satisfaction surveys.
• Coordinate youth intakes and orientation during intake process.
• Maintain reports in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Supervise meals and chores; manage program vehicle upkeep.
• Perform related tasks as assigned by the Program Manager.

Skills

Organization

Written skills

Verbal skills

Dependability

Discretion

Judgement

Relationship building

Education

HS Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Youth Care Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others. This is a part time role.

Purpose & Impact:

This is a direct service delivery position. The Youth Care Specialistsupervises youth ages 10-17, provides quality care, ensures a safe and secure environment and transports and accompanies residents with outside activities. As the Youth Care Specialist, you will be that role model and encourage each resident to pursue educational growth as well as everyday life skills.

Essential Functions:

• Detects and envisions potential safety and security hazards to youth in residence, subsequently making recommendations and implementing corrective actions as appropriate or required.
• As directed, participates in the implementation and monitoring of client case plans.
• Assists with day-to-day maintenance of the facility in conjunction with the Program Manager.
• Assists with ensuring 24-hour direct care staff coverage in conjunction with the Program Manager.
• Screens clients, conducts initial intakes, and administers client satisfaction surveys as directed.
• Coordinates and assists with youth intakes and orientation during Intake process.
• Assists in maintaining reports in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Supervises youth as needed to include preparation of meals and completion of chores.
• Supervises and schedules maintenance and upkeep of the program vehicles.
• Performs related work as required and as directed by the Program Manager.

Other Functions:

Performs other duties as assigned by the Program/Operations Director and/or the Program Manager.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain physically active throughout the workday, including frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, and lifting.
• Ability to safely and effectively intervene in crisis situations, including physically guiding or restraining youth when necessary and appropriate, following agency policies and training.
• Capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to move quickly and respond promptly to emergency situations.
• Regularly required to talk and hear; must be able to communicate effectively with youth and team members.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers and phones, as needed for documentation and communication.
• Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to ensure the safety of youth in care.
• Must have a high level of energy. Must have full physical capabilities such as lifting, bending, cooking, cleaning, and using the telephone. Ability to transport youth in the program vehicle and accompany youth on field trips/recreational outings.

Education:

HS Diploma or equivalent.

Experience:

This is an entry level position. Experience working with youth in an organized/structured setting is preferred, at the discretion of Supervisor/Manager.

Skills:

Must have good organization, written, and verbal skills. Dependability, discretion, and good judgement are essential. Must be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, co-workers, and the general public.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Reports to Program Manager.
• Staff are required to attend a mandatory monthly staff meeting
• Detects and envisions safety and security hazards.
• Team player with co-workers and administrators.
• Ensures the maintenance of the shelter.
• Effective staff management and leadership.
• Adheres to Agency policies and procedures.
• Attend all required training.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need.Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within theorganization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  
  
  
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
  
  
  
  
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunityemployer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.