Youth Treatment Specialist – Matz - 1st & 2nd Shift in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Wisconsin Community Services

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

Matz Center | Watertown, WI

Pay Range: $21.91 - $23.79

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

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

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

About the Role

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

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

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

What You'll Do

• Serve as a positive role model, teaching and reinforcing healthy behaviors, coping strategies, and daily living skills.
• Build therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Encourage youth participation in treatment activities through motivation, engagement, and positive reinforcement.
• Recognize and affirm each youth's identity, culture, strengths, and individual needs.

Provide Therapeutic Programming

• Support evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and youth-centered care.
• Co-facilitate groups and activities focused on emotional regulation, healthy relationships, independent living, and personal development.
• Organize and supervise recreational activities, creative projects, clubs, educational activities, and community outings.
• Support schoolwork and learning activities using a therapeutic, encouraging approach.
• Help youth practice and generalize new skills throughout their daily routines.

Maintain Safety & Respond to Crisis

• Provide active sight-and-sound supervision of youth in accordance with program requirements.
• Recognize behavioral changes and potential risks to self or others, promptly communicating concerns to supervisory and clinical staff.
• Respond calmly and professionally to crisis situations using approved prevention and de-escalation techniques.
• Apply Principles of Stabilization and Control (POSC) training, including physical intervention only when permitted, appropriately trained, and necessary under applicable policies and safety requirements.
• Maintain a structured, supportive environment that prioritizes the safety and well-being of youth and staff.

Support Daily Living & Program Operations

• Assist youth with personal hygiene, laundry, chores, meals, and other activities of daily living.
• Administer medications in accordance with required training, CBRF procedures, and applicable policies.
• Support family visits, professional appointments, and scheduled phone calls.
• Maintain accurate electronic documentation, including youth logs, observations, participation, and incident reports.
• Assist with meals, laundry, building cleanliness, and general organization.
• Protect confidential information and follow WCS policies, procedures, and applicable state licensing requirements.

Collaborate & Grow Professionally

• Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, clinical staff, families, and community partners.
• Attend required staff meetings, team meetings, clinical staffing, supervision, and ongoing training.
• Participate in required clinical supervision consistent with applicable DHS 34 requirements.
• Contribute to 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.

Skills for Success

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Empathy and patience: Understands that behavior may communicate unmet needs or the effects of trauma.
• Crisis management: Maintains composure and follows approved procedures during stressful situations.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and respectfully with youth, families, and team members.
• Critical thinking: Assesses situations, identifies concerns, and seeks appropriate support.
• Adaptability: Responds constructively to changing needs, schedules, and program demands.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively while fulfilling individual responsibilities.
• Cultural responsiveness: Respects and affirms the identities, backgrounds, and experiences of youth and families.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and appropriate boundaries.

Schedule & Work Environment

Available shifts:

• 1st Shift: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• 2nd Shift: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM

A flexible schedule is required, including rotation between first and second shifts, weekends, and holidays. Holiday work includes a premium, in accordance with applicable organizational policies.

The primary work location is the Matz Center, with local community travel as needed to support youth programming and other job responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

This position involves active engagement with youth throughout the workday. Employees must be able to lift up to 30 pounds and perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Trained physical intervention may be required in situations involving an immediate risk of physical harm, consistent with applicable training, policy, and safety requirements.

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