Youth Specialist - Second Shift

Bethany; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Generous time off and holidays

Education reimbursement

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a Youth Specialist to walk alongside refugee and immigrant children and families. You will follow care plans, monitor daily activities, and support family reunification with compassion and faith-driven service.

The role requires strong communication, confidentiality, and a willingness to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a faith-based setting.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of one year in child welfare or related field preferred.
• Experience with youth in residential settings is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Ability to provide compassionate customer service and maintain confidentiality.
• Reliable with time-sensitive deadlines; must pass background checks and TB test.
• Must be 21+ with a valid driver’s license and 3+ years driving in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Support residents and encourage positive interaction and growth.
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to review performance.
• Follow treatment guidelines and intervene with CPI when needed.
• Oversee daily routines including meals, study time, and activities.
• Act as residential advocate and share relevant histories in staff meetings.
• Maintain a flexible schedule including night shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Category: Social Services - Refugee & Immigrant Program

Requisition Number: YOUTH001403

• Posted : July 21, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

MI-GR-CasaDelSol-2440 Ric
Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

Description

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 Youth Specialist, you’ll walk alongside refugee and immigrant 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.

What it’s like to work here
We love God and we love people. Love like that motivates us to cast a big vision and believe that, together, we can change the world through family. For 80 years, our faith has inspired us to provide every child and family the safety, love, and connection they deserve.
At Bethany, our culture is driven by five core values:

• We’re motivated by our faith.
• We support one another.
• We’re in it for the long haul.

How Your Role Makes A Difference

• Actively participant in assigned activities and encourage positive interaction and growth amongst the residents;
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with supervisor to discuss job performance, and/or issues or concerns;
• Successful 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 and 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;
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including the ability to work night shifts, weekends, and holiday shifts;
• 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;
• 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 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;
• Successfully pass an annual TB test and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• 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;
• 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.

We Invest In You

• Experience a team environment with other professionals who are motivated by faith, support one another, pursueexcellence, and are in it for the long haul
• Access to training, professional development, and career growth opportunities
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match eligibility
• Generoustimeoff(11paidholidays,PTOYourWay,paidparentalleave,separatesickandpaidabsencebanks)
• Access to education reimbursement for those that qualify
• Comprehensive employee assistance and wellnessprogram

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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.