Youth Dormitory Support Specialist, Evening Probation in Santa Ana, California at Orangewood Foundation

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.?

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

Position Title: Youth Dormitory Support Specialist (Evening) Probation

Employment Classification: Full-Time; Hourly; Non-Exempt

Shift: Sunday - Thursday 3:00 pm-11:30 pm

Reports to: Program Director

Department: Youth Connected Program - Dorms

Program Summary: Youth Connected Program includes a foster family agency and an on-site dormitory which collaborates with mental health service providers, Samueli Academy School, government agencies, and other partners.

Position Summary: Responsible for supervising youth in foster care that may exhibit trauma responses. The Youth Dormitory Support Specialist will assist youth using a trauma-informed approach to reach their greatest potential and develop the educational/career skills they will need to be successful young adults. This will be provided in a combination of a smoke free, safe and stable family-style dorm, and resource home environment. Work is performed under the direction and supervision of a Program Director, YCP.

When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Youth Supervision and Safety

• Maintain direct supervision of youth during evening hours to ensure safety, structure, and adherence to dormitory rules.
• Monitor youth behavior and maintain accountability in accordance with probation requirements and program expectations.
• Conduct regular headcounts, room checks, and security checks to promote a safe and secure living environment.
• Respond promptly and effectively to incidents, emergencies, or behavioral escalations using trauma-informed de-escalation techniques.

Supportive Relationship Building

• Establish and maintain trusting, supportive, and professional relationships with youth to promote emotional well-being and stability.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating respectful, responsible, and consistent behavior.
• Engage youth in regular one-on-one or group conversations that encourage self-reflection, goal-setting, and responsible decision-making.

Life Skills and Socio-Emotional Development

• Facilitate or assist in evening activities designed to build life skills, social-emotional learning, and personal development (e.g., hygiene routines, cooking, time management, and communication).
• Reinforce daily routines that support independence, accountability, and readiness for community reintegration.
• Provide mentorship and guidance on navigating peer relationships, stress, and emotional regulation.

Educational and Program Support

• Support youth in meeting educational goals by ensuring participation in homework time or evening tutoring sessions as applicable.
• Collaborate with program staff to monitor progress toward probation goals, personal development plans, and behavioral milestones.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with day staff to ensure continuity of care and services.

Documentation and Reporting

• Accurately document daily observations, behavioral incidents, interventions, and youth progress using designated note reports.
• Report significant behavioral concerns, safety issues, or probation violations to the Youth Dormitory Support Specialist Supervisor in a timely manner.
• Participate in shift change briefings and case review meetings as required.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Work collaboratively with supervisors, care coordinators, schools staff, probation officers, and the youths’ families to ensure holistic care for each youth.
• Attend scheduled staff training, team meetings, and professional development sessions to enhance skills and program knowledge.
• Support a team-oriented environment that prioritizes trauma-informed practices and restorative approaches.

Facility Upkeep and Environment Management

• Help maintain a clean, orderly, and welcoming dormitory space conducive to a family-style living environment.
• Enforce and model expectations for cleanliness, respect, and communal living.
• Report maintenance needs, safety concerns, or supply shortages promptly to the appropriate personnel.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field preferred. High school diploma or equivalent and two years’ experience working with at-risk youth. Must be able to provide proof of education, if hired.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience working with child welfare/juvenile justice
• Understanding of trauma-informed practices that prioritize safety, trust, and emotional regulation.
• Understanding of the unique needs and challenges of at-risk and justice-involved youth.
• Knowledge of techniques to prevent, respond to, and manage crises in a safe, non-punitive manner.
• Understanding of the importance of cultural identity, equity, and inclusive practices in youth services.
• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively with youth, families, and team members.
• Skilled in building rapport and trust with youth from diverse and often challenging backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain order and structure while using positive reinforcement and restorative approaches.
• Skilled in recognizing behavioral triggers and redirecting youth effectively.
• Ability to think quickly and respond appropriately in stressful or emergent situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with reporting requirements.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff, supervisors, and external partners.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be a minimum of 21 years old.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Must be able to successfully complete and maintain required certifications and training including, but not limited to, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, First Aid/CPR, and other evidence-informed practices
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
• Enjoys working directly with youth, volunteers, community partners, etc.
• Passion for and enjoys working directly with TAY population.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

Family-style, school dormitory for foster youth, 7th-12th grade, with medical, behavioral, mental health issues, and the potential for verbal and physical threats. Community settings, both local (such as school and recreation) and community-based to facilitate transportation. Staff is subject to outside environmental conditions occasionally; inside conditions frequently, with protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. The work includes constant interruptions in an environment of moderate to high noise level.

Staff must maintain proficiency in Nonviolence Crisis Intervention, as well as First Aid/CPR, requiring regular and sustained bending, lifting, pulling, stooping, hand and arm pressure, sitting and/or laying prone on the floor for extended periods. To facilitate youth activities and transport, staff must be able to safely drive vehicles transporting one or more youth to events, family visits, etc., in heavy, prolonged traffic (more than one hour each way).

• Frequent carrying, up to 20 pounds.
• Frequent bending, stooping, twisting, turning, and squatting.
• Frequent pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds and 25 feet.
• Frequent climbing of stairs (in a three-story dormitory)
• Regularly lifting floor to waist and floor above shoulders.
• Regularly sitting, 1 to 10 hours per day.
• Regularly standing, 1 to 10 hours per day.
• Regular use of fine motor skills for such activities as writing, note-taking, typing, and craft-making.
• Normal or corrected vision needed for driving, supervision of youth, observation of discrete skills, and documentation.
• Normal or corrected hearing to ensure proper supervision and campus safety.
• Normal sense of smell to detect client hygiene issues, infant hygiene needs, and environmental safety issues.
• Normal ability to speak to teach skills, give feedback, discuss strategies, and converse on telephone.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
• Stamina to work 12-hour shifts and drive for up to four hours.
• Position may require use of personal vehicle. Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting up to approximately 50 lbs. (i.e. tables, chairs, food, water, etc.).

Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation or program.

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA
• Delta Dental
• Vision (EyeMed Network)
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance
• 403b with company match
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
• 13 Company Paid Holidays

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.