Youth Care Specialist at Covenant House Florida Inc – Ft Lauderdale, Florida

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's Degree in human services, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, or social work required. 1-2 years of experience working with at-risk youth preferred. This position requires leadership skills, demonstrated ability in record keeping, strong interpersonal skills, strong written and verbal communication, and listening skills, and a highly motivated self-starter. Computer literacy is required. Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving. Ability to be flexible, adapt to and adjust to rapid changes within a fast paced environment. Possess and maintain a positive, solution-oriented approach. Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to culturally diverse populations. Valid Florida Drivers License required and good driving record.

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Provide direct supervision and case management support to youth and serve as Residential Administrator On Duty.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Covenant House Florida reserves the right to unilaterally modify, remove, or add to any of the following:

• Responsible to provide predictable progression of daily activities while establishing structure and continuity for both the youth and staff in accordance with the Covenant House Mission Statement and Philosophy.
• Ensure consistency in the implementation of program policies.
• Work collaboratively with departments to ensure the safety and well being of all youth in the safe haven via the provision of adequate staffing and appropriate levels of supervision.
• Provide support and guidance to program staff utilizing the Individualized Solution Process (ISP).
• Maintain a clean and safe environment. Assist and supervise youth in general cleanliness of all residential living and common areas. Ensure that work areas are clean, organized and secure before, during, and at the end of the shift. Report all maintenance concerns to the Operations Department.
• Act as a primary source contact for managing incidents and ensuring that staff are properly documenting and entering data accordingly while also utilizing the ETO system. Complete all documentation neatly and accurately, and in a timely manner (i.e. bed checks, case notes, incident reports, data entry).
• Communicate with Administrator On-Call as necessary regarding issues in need of furher clarification/direction.
• Responsible for the overall case management support services of youth during scheduled shifts, not limited to, assessments, treatment planning and discharge planning. Supervise youth, maintain order, and exercise appropriate judgment at all. Defuse physical and verbal confrontation with youth, using appropriate verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Ensure services are delivered in a culturally competent manner according to CHF Mission, Principles, and Core Values.
• Communicate pertinent information with staff and youth throughout each shift. Assist the residential and transitional teams with reviewing case notes and shifting daily activities that will help prepare youth to build upon their plan achievements. Communicate respect, mutual support, honesty, and caring to all youth and staff.
• Attend agency meetings and assigned training's (minimum of 40 hours per year) in order to meet agency standards and to remain in compliance with licensing standards.
• Drive company vehicles to transport youth to and from activities, hospital visits, school, and various other appointments, etc.
• Must be able to occasionally exert up to 15-20 pounds of force to lift or carry. Must frequently move about both indoors and outdoors.

Due to licensing requirements, Covenant House Florida applicants will not be permitted to begin employment service until they have been cleared by a Florida and national criminal background search. Please see the link below to the new Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025). As part of these requirements, each specified agency must include a clear and conspicuous link to the webpage on its website and provide the link in all job vacancy advertisements and posts by the qualified entity.https://info.flclearinghouse.com
All applicants for employment will be responsible for the cost associated with instituting background checks and will be eligible for reimbursement after 90 days of service.
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Covenant House Florida. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital/parental status, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, genetic information, veteran/ military status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned, to ensure workload/staff coverage. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.