Youth Specialist - Part-Time Second Shift

Bethany Christian Services; Kentwood (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer match

Generous time off

Job summary

Bethany Christian Services in Kentwood, Michigan, is looking for a Refugee Youth Specialist to support unaccompanied children in their quest for family reunification and assist foster families. The ideal candidate will have a High School Diploma, bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, and at least one year of child welfare experience. The role involves working weekends and facilitating positive development for children in a residential setting. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, professional development opportunities, and a generous PTO policy.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents.
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service.
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations.

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth among the residents.
• Oversee the residents’ daily routines including meal time and study time.
• Serve as a residential advocate by presenting social history at staff meetings.

Skills

Bilingual in English/Spanish

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service

Ability to work independently

Ability to serve as a positive role model

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Must be able to work weekends.

Rooted in our Christian faith, Bethany Christian Services works to ensure children are safe, loved, and connected through family. Across 29 states, we strengthen families, support foster care and adoption, and walk alongside refugees with compassion. Here, living out your faith means using your gifts to bring hope and make a lasting impact.

As a Refugee Youth Specialist, you’ll walk alongside unaccompanied children as they seek family reunification, older youth preparing for adulthood in a new country, and foster families who give these children a home away from home.

How Your Role Makes a Difference

• Actively participate in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth among the residents;
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, and/or issues or concerns;
• Successfully follow the treatment guidelines by intervening in a caring and consistent manner, when the need arises;
• Promptly conduct the nonviolent crisis prevention intervention (CPI) procedure, when necessary;
• Oversee the residents’ daily routines to include but not limited to meal time, study time, outings, bedtime, assigned jobs, and other residential activities;
• Serve as a residential advocate by presenting social history at staff meeting following admission as well as reviewing the legal history, family history, psychological history, school history, and identify any issues or behaviors that would warrant attention in the treatment;
• Provide residential advocacy at staff meetings by updating the team on information related to current level, length of time on that level, date of placement, length of stay, goal attainment percentages from the prior 4 weeks, school progress report, think tank or room restriction time, incident reports, assessment of overall functioning, interaction with peers and staff, and, recommendation for new or revised treatment goals;
• Essential job responsibilities may vary based on the specific needs of each program/department;
• May be required or asked to participate in a Bethany sponsored event;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What Will Make You Successful

• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Minimum of one year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents;
• Bilingual in English/Spanish required;
• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting, preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks;
• Have the ability to serve as positive role model;
• Demonstrated ability to nurture and provide structure, support, and respect to others;
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill the essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Successfully pass an annual TB test and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Must be able to pass required medical examinations and have the physical ability to fulfill the essential job functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• This position requires the availability for night shifts, weekends shifts, and holiday coverage;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Exhibit integrity and good moral character to provide appropriate care;
• Possess the relevant experience and/or qualifications to work with these clients and clients with special needs; and, be properly trained and licensed, as necessary;
• Must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine‑preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route:
  • TDap or Tdap: Complete primary vaccination series. If primary vaccination series completed in childhood, one Tdap dose in adulthood;
  • Results of medical examination (as required by State Licensing, including results of TB tests and immunization records);
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

Benefits

• Experience a team environment with other professionals who are motivated by faith, support one another, pursue excellence, and are in it for the long haul
• Access to training, professional development, and career growth opportunities
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match eligibility
• Generous time off (11 paid holidays, PTO Your Way, paid parental leave, separate sick and paid absence banks)
• Access to education reimbursement for those that qualify
• Comprehensive employee assistance and wellness program
• Employer‑paid long‑term disability and group term life insurance