D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s is a private non-sectarian agency that serves vulnerable children and families from the entire community. Our core objectives are to strengthen families, help children heal from abuse and neglect, provide homes, and help kids thrive.
The Youth Development Specialist (YDS) is responsible for ensuring children receiving residential services are physically and emotionally safe while receiving support, empathy, feedback, and direction. YDS will serve the population of children who may exhibit: non-compliance with authority, physical aggression, may use self-harm as a means for coping, may be nonverbal, may require assistance with hygiene and other activities of daily living. YDS are responsible for providing effective and therapeutic responses to the challenging emotions and behaviors that led to the need for placement. YDS staff help children and adolescents develop critical internal and external assets to facilitate and support healthier behaviors and emotional regulation, in accordance with individual treatment plans developed by program therapists.
Our ideal candidate will have experience working with children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, which is strongly preferred. This includes working with developmentally disabled and cognitively impaired youth (can include youth with classic autism spectrum disorder that exhibit severely restricted functioning levels), and youth with or without substance use or dependency symptoms. A high school diploma is required, with some college education in psychology, social work, sociology, youth and family studies, or a related field preferred. You must have a positive acceptance of supervision in order to learn and be trained in job-related functions. This candidate must have the ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside the Agency. You must be able to promote a positive image for the Agency in the community and in relationships with other Agencies and their personnel. It is required to have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record with a reliable vehicle available at all times. You must possess an understanding and sensitivity to the client’s socioeconomic characteristics with personal qualities of warmth and the ability to establish meaningful relationships with people from various cultures. In addition, having the capacity to make sound decisions, effective oral and written communication, and good organizational skills is a must. Lastly, you must have competence in computer use and keyboarding skills, a high frustration tolerance level, and possess assertiveness and self-direction.
DABSJ strives to be a fully inclusive organization as we support a diverse group of children and families. We are building a diverse team that represents our customers and our community, and recognize that each of us brings a unique perspective to the organization. We welcome differing thoughts, faiths, beliefs, groups, and lived experiences. The diversity and differences of each team member, foster parent, adoptive parent, child, and family make us #DABSJstrongertogether for children and families.
DABSJ is an equal opportunity, at-will employer and will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment. DABSJ does not discriminate on the basis of race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists; culture, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, disability, or other legally-protected characteristics as required by law.
Applicants being considered for hire must pass a central registry clearance check and criminal background check to be eligible for employment.
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The Youth Development Specialist role is a onsite opportunity. The location specified is Grand Rapids, MI, US, Grand Rapids, MI.
The salary is not explicitly stated, but is competitive and based on experience.
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