Youth Treatment Specialist - Full Time (1st & 2nd Shift) - Bakari in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Wisconsin Community Services

Job Summary

This position works in a therapeutic milieu environment serving youth at a State Licensed Residential Care Center serving male youth, ages 13-17. The Youth Treatment Specialist embraces working one to three with youth teaching skills and empowering youth through a six-month treatment program. Youth treatment specialists provide supervision of the youth and are responsible for implementing the daily schedule of activities. This includes teaching and role modeling skills, providing group educational activities, recreational activities and educational support, and serving as a role model for youth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a treatment specialist in the milieu supporting therapeutic interactions by coaching skill use throughout daily 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 the innovative Integrated Treatment Model (ITM) including 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 the Division of Youth and Family Services and Department of Children and Families to participate in treatment programming and involvement in program activities.
• Co-facilitate Dialectical Behavior Therapy groups and other group topics pertaining to healthy relationships, fatherhood, independent living skills, substance use education, and cultural identity development curriculums.
• Organize, participate, and monitor scheduled activities for youth (one-to-three), engaging them in specific activities both on-site and off-site programming including but not limited to various clubs, school, art activities, recreation, community outings, and field trips.
• Support youth’s education by serving as a learning coach in the classroom on-site and at school through an interactive, and competency based educational model.
• Always provide active sight and sound supervision to youth and families with complex needs.
• Assess youth behavior for risk to self and others or behavioral changes within the treatment milieu and communicate with supervisory and/or clinical staff regarding appropriate support as needed.
• Perform milieu management and coaching with youth experiencing emotional dysregulation and/or crisis according to their treatment plans including one-on-one support for the plan for extra help.
• Interact with youth in a professional, positive and therapeutic manner according to policy, procedure, training and agency values.
• Work closely as part of a team to maintain clear communication with other staff to ensure youth receive high quality and seamless care.
• Observe and document youth participation in activities and interactions with others per program standards (youth logs and youth related reports) in an electronic database.
• Assist youth by transporting and attending medical appointments, court, community appointments, and family visits.
• Complete building or structural functions as required, assisting with meal preparation, general building cleanliness and organization.
• Monitor and support youth in completing activities of daily living such as chores and health and hygiene standards.
• Maintain youth and family confidentiality within all written and verbal communications
• Adhere to State licensing requirements.
• Adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent, bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Be at least 21 years old (at least 2 years older than the oldest resident).
• A minimum of one year of experience serving children with mental health needs.
• Working knowledge of computer applications preferred.
• 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 youth and their families.
• Knowledge and skills to work with youth age 13-17.
• Working knowledge of positive child/youth development.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, drug test, and driver’s license check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Communication – Ability to provide information effectively with a diverse population - the persons served, supervisor, colleagues, and program partners in writing and oral communications.
• Technological Aptitude – Ability to use general technological skills throughout daily job i.e., Email, Internet, company specified systems, (ex. Microsoft 365, Windows, Word, Excel).
• Managing Priorities/Deadlines – Ability to maintain schedules, meet deadlines, use time efficiently and effectively and manage multiple projects.
• Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to think critically and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment and adapt to program changes and challenges.
• Adaptability – Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise and work independently or as part of a team.
• Teamwork – Ability to work as a team participate productively while also managing independent contributing duties and responsibilities.
• Motivation – Possess a commitment to the assigned job, mission and core values of the organization while also supporting a respectful and harmonious work setting.
• Professionalism – Ability to conduct oneself with a high level of integrity, ethics and boundaries and maintain professional and respectful relationships with all WCS staff, youth and families, and all external funding sources and community partners involved with Bakari Center.
• Multicultural Sensitivity – Ability to work in the community and interact directly with diverse populations, including clients, partners, and service providers. Must have the ability to demonstrate professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal skills while representing the organization in a variety of settings.
• Crisis Intervention – Ability to 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.
• Flexibility – Ability to work a rotation of first and second shifts including weekend coverage.
• Empathy – Ability to demonstrate patience and understanding of difficult life situations.
• Trauma Informed Care – Ability to serve youth who have experienced a great deal of trauma and express their needs through behaviors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Duties require activity while supporting or interacting with youth in the program. Staff may be required to use (trained) physical interventions if there is immediate physical harm posed to youth or staff. Ability to lift 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Most work is performed throughout the Residential Care Center and the community. A flexible work schedule is required to meet the needs of staff and the people being served - a rotation of first (8:00am-4:00pm) and second shifts (3:00pm-11:00pm) and weekend and holiday rotation required (premium for working holidays). Local travel as needed to fulfill essential functions of the position.

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