Youth Treatment Specialist – Matz - 1st & 2nd Shift

Graceworks Lutheran Services; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 62,781,000 - 68,168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) seeks Youth Treatment Specialists to support youth ages 8–17 in a trauma-informed, therapeutic milieu at the Matz Center in Milwaukee. You will provide supervision, implement daily programming, model healthy coping skills, and help youths stabilize during mental health crises.

Responsibilities include facilitating therapeutic activities, maintaining safety, administering medications per training, and documenting progress while collaborating with clinicians and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age 21, two years older than oldest resident.
• Good driving record and valid license.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a positive role model and teach healthy behaviors.
• Build therapeutic relationships with youth while maintaining boundaries.
• Encourage participation in treatment activities.
• Recognize each youth’s identity, culture, and needs.
• Provide active site-and-sound supervision and implement daily programming.
• Maintain safety and respond to crisis using approved techniques.
• Support daily living activities and documentation.
• Collaborate with staff, clinicians, and families.

Skills

Empathy

Crisis management

Communication

Teamwork

Cultural responsiveness

Professionalism

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Wisconsin Community Servicesis an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Disability/Vet).

Job Code: 2026-SPECIALI-064

Location: Milwaukee

Department: Specialized Service Programs

FT/PT Status: Full Time

Job Responsibilities:

Pay Range: $21.91 - $23.79

Are you passionate about helping young people navigatechallenges, build coping skills, and move toward a brighter future? Join theMatz Center team and make a meaningful impact in the lives of youthexperiencing mental health crises.

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) is seeking compassionate,dependable, and motivated Youth Treatment Specialists to support youthages 8–17 in a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment. At the Matz Center,you will help create a safe, structured, and supportive space where youth canstabilize, develop life skills, and work toward positive change.

This is an opportunity to turn your patience, empathy, andpassion for helping others into work that truly matters.

Job Qualifications:

About the Role

The Youth Treatment Specialist works in a therapeutic milieuat the Matz Center, a state-certified Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility(YCSF) serving up to eight youth, ages 8–17, of all genders. Youth may resideat the facility for up to 30 days while receiving support during a mentalhealth crisis.

Working with a staff-to-youth ratio of up to one staffmember to four youth, you will provide active sight-and-sound supervision,implement daily programming, model positive behaviors, and help youth practiceskills that support emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and dailyliving.

You will play an important role in maintaining a safe,respectful, and inclusive environment where every young person is treated withdignity.

What You'll Do

• Serveas a positive role model, teaching and reinforcing healthy behaviors,coping strategies, and daily living skills.
• Buildtherapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professionalboundaries.
• Encourageyouth participation in treatment activities through motivation,engagement, and positive reinforcement.
• Recognizeand affirm each youth's identity, culture, strengths, and individualneeds.

Provide Therapeutic Programming

• Supportevidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including DialecticalBehavior Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and youth-centeredcare.
• Co-facilitategroups and activities focused on emotional regulation, healthyrelationships, independent living, and personal development.
• Organizeand supervise recreational activities, creative projects, clubs,educational activities, and community outings.
• Supportschoolwork and learning activities using a therapeutic, encouragingapproach.
• Helpyouth practice and generalize new skills throughout their daily routines.

Maintain Safety & Respond to Crisis

• Provideactive sight-and-sound supervision of youth in accordance with programrequirements.
• Recognizebehavioral changes and potential risks to self or others, promptlycommunicating concerns to supervisory and clinical staff.
• Respondcalmly and professionally to crisis situations using approved preventionand de-escalation techniques.
• ApplyPrinciples of Stabilization and Control (POSC) training, includingphysical intervention only when permitted, appropriately trained, andnecessary under applicable policies and safety requirements.
• Maintaina structured, supportive environment that prioritizes the safety andwell-being of youth and staff.

Support Daily Living & Program Operations

• Assistyouth with personal hygiene, laundry, chores, meals, and other activitiesof daily living.
• Administermedications in accordance with required training, CBRF procedures, andapplicable policies.
• Supportfamily visits, professional appointments, and scheduled phone calls.
• Maintainaccurate electronic documentation, including youth logs, observations,participation, and incident reports.
• Assistwith meals, laundry, building cleanliness, and general organization.
• Protectconfidential information and follow WCS policies, procedures, andapplicable state licensing requirements.

Collaborate & Grow Professionally

• Communicateeffectively with coworkers, supervisors, clinical staff, families, andcommunity partners.
• Attendrequired staff meetings, team meetings, clinical staffing, supervision,and ongoing training.
• Participatein required clinical supervision consistent with applicable DHS 34requirements.
• Contributeto a collaborative team committed to high-quality, consistent,youth-centered care.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 21, and at least two years older than the oldest resident served.
• Valid driver's license, access to an automobile, and insurance meeting agency requirements.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with youth ages 8–17 from diverse cultural, racial, religious, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and a respectful therapeutic environment.
• Ability to respond calmly to challenging behaviors and follow approved crisis intervention and safety procedures.
• Successful completion of required employment screening, including references, criminal background check, physical examination, TB testing, and driver's license check, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience working with children or youth experiencing mental health challenges.
• CBRF Registry training in fire safety, standard precautions, first aid and choking, and medication administration.
• Familiarity with computer applications, electronic medical records, Microsoft 365, and electronic documentation systems.
• Knowledge of positive youth development, trauma-informed care, and behavioral support strategies.

Relevant experience is valued, and candidates who demonstrate compassion, sound judgment, dependability, and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

Skills for Success

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Empathyand patience: Understands that behavior may communicate unmet needs orthe effects of trauma.
• Crisismanagement: Maintains composure and follows approved procedures duringstressful situations.
• Communication:Shares information clearly and respectfully with youth, families, and teammembers.
• Criticalthinking: Assesses situations, identifies concerns, and seeksappropriate support.
• Adaptability:Responds constructively to changing needs, schedules, and program demands.
• Teamwork:Works collaboratively while fulfilling individual responsibilities.
• Culturalresponsiveness:Respects and affirms the identities, backgrounds, andexperiences of youth and families.
• Professionalism:Demonstrates integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and appropriateboundaries.

Available shifts:

• 1stShift: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• 2ndShift: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM

A flexible schedule is required , including rotation betweenfirst and second shifts, weekends, and holidays. Holiday work includes apremium, in accordance with applicable organizational policies.

The primary work location is the Matz Center, with localcommunity travel as needed to support youth programming and other jobresponsibilities.

Physical Requirements

This position involves active engagement with youththroughout the workday. Employees must be able to lift up to 30 pounds andperform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonableaccommodation. Trained physical intervention may be required in situationsinvolving an immediate risk of physical harm, consistent with applicabletraining, policy, and safety requirements.

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Allapplicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, ethnicity,religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran,or disability status.