Youth Specialist (FT Hrly)

Wellmore Behavioral Health; Wolcott (CT); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellmore Behavioral Health in Wolcott, CT is seeking a Youth Specialist to support youth in a residential therapeutic group home, delivering care, supervision, and structured activities.

You will collaborate with clinical staff to implement treatment plans, document progress, and respond to crises in a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive team.

This full-time position requires a high school diploma and 3–4 years of youth experience; bilingual Spanish/English is encouraged.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; associate degree preferred.
• 3–4 years of experience with children and adolescents.
• Crisis intervention and behavior management skills important.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual Spanish/English encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive living environment for youth in care.
• Implement treatment plans and therapeutic programming as part of daily activities.
• Supervise residents and provide proactive behavioral interventions and crisis management.
• Document resident behaviors, responses to care, and daily progress accurately.
• Participate in recreational, educational, and developmental activities with residents.
• Administer medications as scheduled and prescribed per DCF guidelines.
• Respond appropriately to crisis situations, including therapeutic restraints when necessary.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe residential environment.
• Collaborate with Residential Supervisors, clinical staff, schools, and treatment teams.
• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and agency meetings.
• Follow all agency policies, procedures, and incident reporting protocols.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Trauma-informed care

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Wolcott, CT 06716

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $19.31 Hourly

Job Shift: Any

Youth Specialist

Residential Services Program

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of youth? We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and motivated individuals to join our Residential Services team as a Youth Specialist. In this role, you will help create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for children and adolescents in a residential treatment setting while supporting their emotional, behavioral, and developmental growth.

Position Summary

The Youth Specialist works collaboratively with Residential Supervisors and clinical staff to support the daily operations of a Therapeutic Group Home. This position provides direct care, supervision, crisis intervention, behavior management, and recreational programming for youth in care. The ideal candidate is team-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and committed to helping youth thrive in a structured therapeutic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive living environment for youth in care


• Implement treatment plans and therapeutic programming as part of daily activities


• Supervise residents and provide proactive behavioral interventions and crisis management


• Document resident behaviors, responses to care, and daily progress accurately and timely


• Participate in recreational, educational, and developmental activities with residents


• Administer medications as scheduled and prescribed in accordance with agency and DCF guidelines


• Respond appropriately to crisis situations, including the use of therapeutic restraints when necessary


• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe residential environment


• Collaborate with Residential Supervisors, clinical staff, schools, and treatment teams


• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and agency meetings


• Follow all agency policies, procedures, and incident reporting protocols

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Associate degree preferred


• Minimum of 3–4 years of experience working with children and adolescents, or equivalent education and experience


• Strong crisis intervention and behavior management skills


• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Understanding of childhood development, trauma-informed care, and cultural diversity preferred


• Working knowledge of the Greater Waterbury area preferred


• Bilingual Spanish/English candidates are encouraged to apply

Required Certifications/Training

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain:

• CPR and First Aid Certification


• DCF Medication Administration Certification


• DCF-approved Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certification


• DCF Background History Check (CPA)


• Physical and PPD testing as required