Youth Specialist

Macomb County Government; Castro Valley (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Macomb County Government seeks a Youth Specialist to provide care, safety, and security for residents at the Juvenile Justice Center. You will assist in program implementation and monitor residents’ behavior, reporting relevant information to supervisors.

The role requires handling daily living activities, supervising activities, and maintaining records while complying with the Dignity Campaign and confidentiality standards. Shift patterns vary with days, afternoons, or midnights.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree preferred in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or related field.
• Experience with adolescent youth preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing programs designated by the Director.
• Ensure residents are properly dressed, fed, and that assignments are completed on time.
• Control or manage residents weighing over 100 pounds during violent or disruptive behavior.
• Oversee and supervise activities including recreation and work assignments.
• Enter case information into a computerized system and generate reports as directed.

Skills

Active listening

Critical thinking

Judgment and decision making

Social perceptiveness

Service orientation

Communicate clearly

Resolve conflict between residents

Recognize and anticipate behavior

Education

High school diploma

Associate Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage.Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits clickhere

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Youth Specialist

SALARY:

$48,083.75 - $62,192.32

DEPARTMENT:

Juvenile Justice Center

Opening Date:

10/20/2026

Closing Date:

11/04/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS:

Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP:

Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS ANDSTARTINGTIME:

Full-time (40 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position varies based upon days, afternoons or midnights shifts.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Provides care, safety and security of residents at the Juvenile Justice Center. Assists in the implementation of programs and work assignments. Observes and reports information relevant to residents’ behavior.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists in the implementation of programs designated by the Director.

Ensures that assigned residents are appropriately dressed, fed and that all work assignments are completed in a timely manner.

Controls or physically manages residents engaged in violent or disruptive behavior that weigh in excess of one hundred (100) pounds.

Oversees, referees, demonstrates and supervises various activities, including recreational activities and work assignments.

Observes and reports information relevant to residents’ behavior.

Enters case information into a computerized software system and generates reports as directed.

Works mandatory overtime as directed.

May transport residents to various locations for services.

Operates an automobile to perform job functions.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education and Experience

• Possession of a high school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test (GED)

Preferred Education and Experience

• An Associate Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Previous experience working with adolescent youth

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and an operable insured automobile forauthorized travel

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:

Knowledge of:

• Human behavior
• Individual differences of ability, personality and differences
• Potential behavior problems of children
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word
• Principles and processes for providing customer service

Skill in:

• Active listening
• Critical thinking
• Judgment and decision making
• Social perceptiveness
• Service orientation

Ability to:

• Provide direction to residents in the completion of assigned tasks
• Communicate clearly
• Resolve conflict between residents
• Recognize and anticipate behavior and potential problems within the unit
• Assist children with daily living and recreational activities and to effectively role-model, teach, and counsel children to encourage appropriate behavior while maintaining professional boundaries
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information
• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S =Never/Seldom O =Occasionally F/C = Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: O

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: F/C

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: F/C

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: O

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: F/C

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S =Never/Seldom O =Occasionally F/C = Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Leg/Foot Movement: F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below): F/C

Over 100 pounds: F/C

Push / Pull objects away from or towards the body: F/C

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O

Sitting in an seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS:

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

The Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.