Position Title
Residential Youth Counselor,
Youth Haven
Description
The Youth Haven shelter program
currently has an exciting opening for a full-time
residential youth counselor. Youth Haven is a short-term
emergency shelter for up to
12 youth ages 7 – 17 in Kirkland, WA. The program provides a
safe and supportive
group home setting for up to 6 boys and 6 girls who are
homeless or referred by the
state child welfare system. A dedicated team of staff
maintain a caring, healthy and
therapeutic atmosphere while providing counseling and
referral services to assist in
family reunification or finding a safe, stable housing
alternative for youth.
Responsibilities
A. Treatment Tasks
1. Maintain a favorable living and
treatment environment in which the residents
live:
• by insuring
that residents have a safe and clean place in which to live.
• by
demonstrating to youth that they are respected and understood as
individuals.
• by
demonstrating to youth that people care about them and will take care of
them.
• by
demonstrating that adults can help them deal with unacceptable behavior
without being punitive, retaliatory, rejecting.
• by
demonstrating that youth will receive protection and guidance in controlling
their impulses until their own controls are established.
• by
providing youth help with their problems in the group, school, community,
and with their families.
• by modeling
appropriate behavior, language and attitudes.
2. Model pleasant, positive attitude
and disposition.
3. Demonstrate self control in
stressful situations.
4. Use preventative as opposed to
reactive floor management skills.
5. Maintain appropriate physical
structure and house schedule and safety.
6. Remain visible and available to
residents at all times.
7. Assist in planning a wide range of
recreational activities. Occasionally be
available for extended
recreational outings.
8. Develop plan with residents for
constructive use of free time.
9. Learn, coach, and model
Dialectical Behavior Skills.
B. Housekeeping Tasks
1. Teach and supervise various
chores, including meal set-up and clean-up,
residence and
grounds maintenance.
2. Take initiative for and supervise
residents in completing allowance chores and
household
tasks.
3. Demonstrate concern and pride in
the environment. Create a clean and pleasant
surrounding.
Encourage safe and careful treatment of all agency property.
4. Take responsibility for reporting
any damage to agency property and when
appropriate,
discipline for damage in accord with Friends of Youth policy.
5. Maintain linen, toiletry and
clothing items. Teach, encourage and model personal
hygiene.
6. Prepare meals and snacks as
necessary. Require appropriate table behavior
and conversation.
7. Maintain prescribed medications in
a secure area and dispense as instructed.
8. Assist residents with school
assignments. 9. Register residents in community
school
programs as necessary, arrange transportation, and monitor behavior,
attendance
and academic progress.
C. Monitoring Tasks
1. Make every effort to protect and
secure resident's property.
2. Monitor residents' health, arrange
medical appointments as assigned, transport
to doctor as
assigned.
3. Monitor and document the
whereabouts of all residents at all times.
4. Report any known or suspected
abuse, exploitation or neglect of residents in
consultation
with management to Child Protective Services.
5. Monitor and assist Program
Supervisor in training volunteers, interns and relief
staff in the
completion of their duties and service time.
D. Participate as a Member of the Treatment Team
1. Read each treatment plan, become
familiar with specific goals for each resident.
2. Be familiar with both the agency
treatment philosophy and program, as well as
the
individual treatment and goals for each resident.
3. Attend and participate in staff
meetings if applicable.
4. Provide transportation as
necessary.
5. Contribute to discussions, offer
input and feedback concerning both residents
and co-workers.
6. Initiate conflict resolution.
7. Display positive morale, speak
positively and objectively about the program.
8. Attend agency or professional
training, seminars, or conferences to increase
professional
knowledge.
9. Encourage the involvement of
family members and support persons where
appropriate.
E. Communicate Information in Verbal,
Non-Verbal and Written Form and Maintain
Required
Forms and Records
1. Provide objective descriptive
narrative of behavior events.
2. Understand and separate one's own
belief and value system from interpretation
on behavior and
events.
3. Be straight-forward and concise in
communications.
4. Show congruency between verbal and
non-verbal messages.
5. Maintain daily communication log,
and milieu notes of behavior on each
resident.
6. Set up accounts, log entry, and
disburse allowance and earnings funds for
residents
consistent with state and agency guidelines.
7. Record medication receipts and
disbursements.
8. Record fund receipts and
disbursements.
9. Complete incident reports per
agency policy.
10. Record meal counts at each meal.
11. Complete other reports as
requested by supervisor(s).
Required Skills and Qualifications
A. Education and Experience
1. A Bachelor of Arts Degree in the
social sciences area is preferred.
2. One year of experience in working
with youth.
3. Must have a valid Washington State
driver's license or be able to obtain one by
date of
employment.
4. Employees and volunteers who
operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles
on Friends of
Youth business must have a safe driving record as defined by
Friends of Youth.
Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s)
on Friends of Youth
business must carry auto liability insurance that
complies with the requirements
of Friends of Youth.
5. Must have a Red Cross First Aid
Card, CPR and Food Handlers permit,
HIV/AIDs training, or
be able to obtain one within thirty days of employment.
6. Must pass TB screening.
7. Must successfully pass criminal
history check (WAC 388-148-0035).
8. Education or experience in
cultural competency.
B. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Understand the dynamics of
troubled youth and incorporate knowledge into daily
interactions
with youth.
2. Ability to show tolerance and
acceptance of youth.
3. Understand nature of youth/adult
relationship. Is comfortable with, and accepts
role of authority.
4. Good role model.
5. Demonstrate control in stressful
situations.
6. Know personal stressors and
weaknesses, and work to overcome them.
7. Knowledge of relevant COA
standards, or willingness to become familiar with
them, and
participation in a Performance and Quality Improvement process.
8. Must demonstrate sensitivity and
responsiveness to cultural differences and a
commitment to
the value of cultural competency.
Hours
Full Time
Salary
$15 / hour
Reports to
Program Supervisor
Location
Kirkland
Application Deadline
Open until filled
Contact
Job Posting Date
7/5/17
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