Life Skills Specialist (New Beginnings House)

Job Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW:

The New Beginning House Life Skills Specialist will engage and establish mutually respectful, trusting relationships with the youth we serve. Staff will utilize a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to working with youth. The Specialist is responsible for the coordination of life skills programming and education and employment curriculum at the New Beginning House. Staff will conduct on-going assessments of youth's skill level and create individual/group training opportunities. The Specialist will also be responsible for providing direct supervision and support to residents during traditional and non-traditional hours. Monitoring group dynamics and direct crisis intervention and response is expected. This position will also assist the New Beginning Program Manager in creating and implementing a service learning model for the residents in order to build healthy, permanent connections in our community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Crisis intervention and response;
• Conduct on-going assessments of participants life skills, employment and education needs;
• Implementation of life skills training and employment and education curriculum;
• Incorporating CYS philosophy and effective teaching approaches;
• Is able to manage the environment in order to provide a safe and supportive residential program through mediation, role-modeling and positive interaction with New Beginning residents;
• Transporting program participants, as required and consistent with agency policies;
• Possesses sound problem solving and decision-making skills;
• Maintains clear professional boundaries;
• Is able to work evening hours and weekends;
• Understands and promotes strength-based, trauma informed service delivery (youth leadership, asset development);
• Is knowledgeable on managing group dynamics and can demonstrate various intervention techniques;
• Is familiar with the homeless/runaway youth service system and community resources;
• Maintains accurate and up to date client records

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES:

Candidate must:

• Adhere to ethical conduct
• Demonstrate professionalism i.e., timely, dependable, responsible, flexible
• Be non-judgmental and respectful
• Model principles of inclusion and tolerance
• Be youth centered and positive
• Be family friendly
• Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and co-workers
• Develop positive relationships with all key stakeholders
• Have strong literacy skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension)
• Have excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Conduct research and apply best-practices and evaluation methods
• Effectively promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors
• Provide leadership and/or work independently as requested

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY:

The Center delivers services to youth and families from many racial, ethnic, cultural, social and life style groups. We value differences in people and strive to understand diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, abilities and beliefs. To this end, all staff are required to attend professional development trainings and to continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity.

Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity. The annual Performance Appraisal provides an opportunity for staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into

their everyday work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of an Associate's Degree in human services, education or a related field; and (1) one-year experience or an equivalent combination of education, employment and life experience. Bachelor's Degree preferred.

In addition to the above, it is mandatory that prior to hire a candidate have or be willing to obtain:

• A valid NYS driver's license and a driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier
• Regular access to a motor vehicle or reliable transportation
• Automobile insurance at the level of $300,000 per accident/$100,000 per person Bodily Injury and $50,000 Property Damage
• Proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months including a PPD and annually thereafter.
• It is also mandatory that new employees be cleared by the NYS Central Register prior to interaction with clients.

COMPUTER SKILLS RECOMMENDED:

Microsoft Office - Advanced

Rev. 12/2022 The Center for Youth provides equal opportunities for employment.