Youth Screening Specialist - PRN

BAYS, Inc.; Crestview (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

BAYS, Inc. is seeking a Youth Screening Specialist to screen and assess youth referred by law enforcement for detention status and service recommendations. The role involves evaluating mental health and substance abuse risks and outlining court handling options as needed.

The position requires direct interaction with youth, families, and multiple agencies to ensure accurate processing, reporting, and documentation in relevant systems, with emphasis on safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two (2) years of experience working with youth.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license and auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Reviews law enforcement paperwork and criminal history records.
• Acts as a resource to families, outside agencies and staff; answers calls.
• Maintains accurate records, to include youth files, screening packets, and JJIS documentation.
• Communicates with youth’s parents/guardians, DJJ and/or DCF staff, and law enforcement to ensure efficient processing.
• Attends court hearings to present detention risk findings.
• Provides crisis intervention to de-escalate immediate conflict situations as needed.
• Provides sight and sound supervision of youth at risk for self-harm.
• Completes installations of EM equipment on youth based on assessment score or court order.
• Assesses suicide risk and completes mental health and substance abuse screenings.
• Utilizes Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Care during interviews and assessments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Youth work experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Youth Screening Specialist is a client serving position with responsibility for screening and assessing youth brought in for processing by law enforcement. Provides screening of youth to determine detention status, assessment of mental health or substance abuse risk factors, and to make a recommendation for services and/or court handling.

We are looking for a Youth Screening Specialist who must have:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of experience working with youth
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s license and Auto Insurance.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews law enforcement paperwork and criminal history records.
• Acts as a resource to families, outside agencies and staff; answers telephones.
• Maintains accurate records, to include youth files, screening packets, and documentation in the Department’s Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS).
• Communicates with youth’s parents/guardians, Department of Juvenile Justice and/or Department of Children and Families staff, and law enforcement to ensure efficient and accurate processing of youth.
• Attends court hearings as needed to present findings of detention risk assessment.
• Provides crisis intervention to de-escalate immediate conflict situations as needed.
• Provides sight and sound supervision of youth at risk for self-harm.
• Completes installations of EM (electronic monitoring) equipment on youth based on assessment score or court order.
• Assesses suicide risk and complete mental health and substance abuse screenings.
• Utilizes Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Care techniques to effectively conduct all interviews and assessment requirements during the screening process.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Essentials:

• Conducts interviews and follows detention screening criteria, for all youth taken into custody, to determine eligibility for release, respite care, supervised release, or secure detention.
• Conducts youth interviews to make appropriate State Attorney recommendations for all youth screened.
• Ensures each youth receives medical and mental health clearance prior to admission to the JAC (juvenile assessment center), or screening processing area.

BAYS is a drug-free workplace. We prohibit the use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances on company premises or during work hours.