Youth Support Specialist (Permanent) - 215323

Southern Arkansas University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Arkansas University is seeking a Youth Support Specialist to supervise court-placed youth aged 12-20 in New York. This role involves ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of youth in residential facilities. Responsibilities include mentoring youth, participating in their support teams, and assisting them with educational and community transition goals. Candidates with direct care experience and a relevant educational background are encouraged to apply for this demanding and rewarding position that also involves shift work and training requirements.

Qualifications

• Two years full-time direct care experience with youth ages 6-21.
• Direct care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Satisfactory completion of the probation period and ability to operate a motor vehicle legally.

Responsibilities

• Supervise court-placed youth in residential facilities.
• Create a professional, healthy, and therapeutic environment.
• Engage with youth confidently under stress.

Skills

Supervision of youth

Conflict resolution

Relationship building

Mentorship

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Youth Support Specialist (Permanent) - 215323

The Youth Support Specialist (YSS) works directly to supervise court-placed youth, age 12-20, who reside at OCFS secure, limited‑secure, and/or non‑secure residential facilities. YSSs are part of a team that ensures that a facility is physically secure—responsible for youth movement, key and door control, and conflict resolution—and emotionally safe for both youth and other staff. YSSs help create a professional, healthy, and therapeutic environment.

• Establish a relationship of professionalism, confidence, safety, and trust with youth and other staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Supervise and monitor youth, including 1‑to‑1 supervision when required by clinical needs.
• Actively participate as a member of a youth’s support team, a treatment‑focused group of professional and para‑professional staff.
• Engage confidently with people under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Employ graduated harm‑reduction strategies while supervising youth, including appropriate intervention and mentorship.
• Take opportunities to improve the well‑being of the facility community through collaboration and information sharing.
• Supervise and/or assist youth during recreation and education activities, and perform various as‑needed assignments.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional, and appropriate relationships with youths’ families and loved ones.
• Assist youth in achieving education, work readiness, and community transition goals.

Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.

Training Requirements

• Attend a 2‑week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation and maintain proficiency in OCFS‑approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (given twice a year for eight hours total).
• Complete NYS employee‑mandated annual trainings and other annual training refreshers.
• Travel intrastate as required for supervision at youth medical appointments, intramural games, extracurricular activities, or other events.
• Be prepared for the physically demanding nature of the position, including the use of approved physical restraint techniques when necessary.
• Work shift, weekend, holidays, and overtime assignments, including mandatory and voluntary overtime.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years full‑time direct care experience with youth ages 6‑21.
• OR a high school graduation or equivalency diploma AND one year of experience with youth ages 6‑21.
• OR an Associate’s degree AND six months experience with youth ages 6‑21.
• OR a Bachelor’s degree.
• Direct care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system or related settings.
• Appropriate verifiable part‑time experience accepted on a prorated basis.
• Satisfactory completion of the probation period, possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, and ability to operate a motor vehicle legally in New York State.