Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

Lead Youth Treatment Specialist

Specialized Services Division – Jefferson County Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility
Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)

Position Summary:

The Lead Youth Treatment Specialist provides two essential roles within the Youth Crisis Stabilization Program. The first role is being responsible for direct care, nurturing and supervision of the residents. This includes providing supervision of the youth placed in the program. Responsible for implementing the daily schedule of activities. Provide group educational activities, recreational activities, follow up individually with youth, serve as a mentor and role model for youth. The second role is being a shift lead to ensure staff are trained, staff are meeting the needs of the youth, and all staff are following the policies/procedures of the Youth Crisis Stabilization Program.

Essential Functions:

Youth Treatment Specialist Duties:

• Serve as a treatment specialist in the milieu supporting therapeutic interactions by coaching skill use throughout activities, modeling appropriate behavior, teaching, and reinforcing use and generalization of skills through a token economy system.
• Use evidence based best practices for youth with mental health, substance use and life needs. This includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, youth centered and culturally reverent approaches while celebrating youth’s development and identity.
• Use motivation and engagement strategies to encourage youth involved in systems such as court services and Department of Children and Families to participate in treatment programming and involvement in program activities.
• Always provide active sight and sound supervision to youth and families with complex needs.
• Assess youth behavior for risk to self or others and behavioral changes within the treatment milieu and communicate with clinical staff regarding appropriate support as needed.
• Calmly and responsibly respond during crisis situations and intervene to de-escalate using trained and approved methods and techniques of verbal and physical intervention to maintain safety in the environment.
• Attend clinical supervision as required in DHS 34.
• Maintain confidentiality within all written and verbal communications.
• Adhere to state licensing and County requirements.
• Adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Lead Duties:

• Responsible for training new staff, being a role model, and orientating staff to the Youth Crisis Stabilization Program.
• Act as a shift leader to ensure staff are following programming and meeting the needs of the youth in the program.
• Redirect and coach staff. Share staff-related performance concerns with supervisor immediately.
• Ensure all policies, procedures, and protocols are being followed in accordance with State of Wisconsin and Department of Health Services operation standards.
• Ensure that Youth Treatment Specialists are carrying out clinical recommendations.
• Closely monitor all documentation requirements and work with the Assistant Program Director to ensure incident reporting.
• Collaborate closely with the resident care supervisor and leadership team to develop programming, monitor compliance, and measure outcomes.
• Administer medication and ensure staff are aware of medication changes in collaboration with medical providers and nursing staff.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Attend in-services and trainings, weekly and monthly staff meetings.
2. Assist with coverage for co-workers as needed.
3. Other job-related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Working knowledge of positive child/youth development; patience and understanding of difficult life needs; the ability to interact with escalating youth and/or parents in a calm and professional manner; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations; proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel; perform basic computer functions; uses time efficiently and effectively; ability to multi-task .

Minimal Qualifications and Salary Schedule:

• A high school diploma or equivalent, bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Be at least 21 years old (at least 2 years older than the oldest resident).
• At least 4 years of experience serving youth with mental health needs.
• Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of clients.
• Knowledge and skills to work with population age 10-17.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements preferred.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, drug test, and driver’s license check.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports directly to Youth Treatment Specialist Supervisor. Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including youth and family members, other program staff, vendors, and other collateral contacts, neighbors, funders, Jefferson County Department of Health and Human Services, court officials, the Department of Health and Human Services, Public School staff and administrators, staff of youth serving agencies, and the community.

Personal Attributes: Follow agency Code of Conduct and Leadership Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, youth being served by the YCSF, and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability needs; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.

Working Conditions:

• State Certified Youth Crisis Stabilization Program (YCSF)
• Local travel as required fulfilling essential functions of the position.
• Ability to manage youth who have experienced a great deal of trauma and express trauma through behaviors.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.

Physical Demands:

Duties require possible activity while monitoring or interacting with youth in the program. Staff may be required to use physical intervention in extreme situations if there is immediate physical harm posed to youth or staff. Ability to lift 30 pounds. Driving may be required.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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