Part-Time Youth Support Specialist

Youth Support Specialist - Job #561
Litchfield, CT 06759
Part Time 12 hours per week
Thurs-Sat 9am-1pm
$23.27 per hour

Job Description:
The Youth Support Specialist is dedicated to the direct supervision of adolescent boys in a short-term transitional living program. Youth Support Specialists cultivate a safe, healthy, therapeutic, nurturing and caring home environment that is supportive of each participant’s individualized needs, social, emotional, and academic development. They are positive role models offering support, strength-based encouragement and protection of youth in their care, advocating for youth and sharing information and updates with parents/guardians.

• Maintain constant sight and sound supervision of youths within established program expectations and guidelines
• Ensure physical safety of youth and provide crisis intervention as needed
• Follow established routines, schedules, and structure, like wake up and bedtimes, and transition to school
• Record observations in daily documentation and logs
• Monitor and reporting healthcare needs or concerns, and ensuring compliance with daily medication regimen through support, encouragement, and self-care education
• Accompany youths between facilities, meetings, appointments and/or other activities
• Ensure living spaces are organized, clean, safe and free from hazards
• Supervise youths during mealtimes
• Support and facilitate the implementation of youths’ individualized care plans and schedules
• Utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) coaching to enhance adolescents learning and skill use
• Transport adolescents to appointments and recreation trips
• Provide transportation to adolescents and families as programmatic needs dictate in order to facilitate family visitation/sessions and home passes
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within program parameters
• Ability to communicate, cooperate and serve people from all cultural identities with respect, professionalism, integrity and fairness in a manner that recognizes the individuality of each person
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance program effectiveness
• Available to work evenings and weekends as may be needed
• Regular and consistent attendance
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor

Work Schedule & Rate of Pay:

• 12 hours per week
  • Thursday-Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm (4-hour shift)
• You can also accept per diem hours as they become available
• Overtime/ time and a half eligible
• Rate of pay is $23.27 per hour

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent – Required
• Minimum 6-months of experience working with at-risk or court-involved adolescents – Required
• Valid driver’s license – Required
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively during emergencies
• Strong communication and conflict resolution skills
• Experience working with diverse populations or applying culturally responsive practices
• Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and mental health issues
• Reliable transportation and flexibility to work scheduled shifts

Part-Time Benefits:
At CJR, we pride ourselves on creating a compassionate, culturally responsive work environment and offering a comprehensive benefits package that encourages and supports a healthy work/life balance. Joining our team, full-time employees will enjoy the following benefits:

• Free daily nutritious meals
• Generous Paid Vacation Package (unused time eligible for carry over)
• Generous Paid Sick Time (unused time eligible for carry over)
• Paid Holiday Time (separate from vacation time)
• Floating Holidays (separate from paid vacation time and paid holiday time)
• Annual monetary incentives
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Company Celebrations & Employee Recognition Program
• Employee discounts (cell phone, computer)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer Federal Student Aid
• 10%-20% tuition discount at many local educational institutions, including those listed by the CT Nonprofit Alliance

About CJR:
A career at CJR is focused on working to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to thrive! CJR reaches across the state of Connecticut to deliver a broad continuum of care through our residential, education, wellness, and community-based programs. At CJR, you will experience a fulfilling career with an employer that encourages advancement, respects diversity, and rewards excellence!
 CJR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry. We embrace the competitive advantage of diversity.