Job description

Youth Development Specialist – Full-Time

7AM–3PM, Mon–Fri

3PM–11PM, Mon–Fri

11PM–7AM, Sun–Thu

'This full-time position offers the opportunity to earn hiring bonuses totaling $500 : $100 after 30 days of successful employment and $400 after 6 months.'

Park Ridge, IL| Starting at $20.18/hour | All Shifts

Join The Harbour – Make a Real Difference
The Harbour, Inc. is committed to providing immediate, stable, and safe housing for homeless youth and young mothers with children. We break the cycle of homelessness through compassionate care, access to meals, education, employment support, and individualized counseling.

We are currently seeking Youth Development Specialists to join our team. This role is essential in providing supervision, mentorship, and support to youth in either our Safe Harbour Emergency Shelter or Transitional Living Programs. This is a full-time position supporting coverage needs across programs and working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Direct Service:

• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with youth in care.
• Teaching daily living skills
• Providing crisis intervention and milieu counseling
• Maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment

Documentation:

• Document resident activities and behaviors in client files and communication logs per agency procedures. This includes:
• Medication records
• Critical incident reports
• Progress notes daily on each youth
• Maintaining the house calendar and assisting youth with medical, dental, vision etc. Appointments.
• Completes maintenance forms and follows through on repairs and other household maintenance issues.
• Distributes documents to youth and obtains necessary signatures from youth

Teamwork:

• Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with all team members.
• Communicating concerns across and between shifts.
• Participating actively as a staff member, attending staff meetings and youth meetings as scheduled.
• Maintain positive relationships with colleagues internally and externally, referral sources, client family members, and the community.
• Demonstrate the ability to work constructively with parents, partner agencies, and the community.

Professional Growth:

• Participates in supervision and staff development and displays the ability to utilize and integrate material presented in training and supervision. This includes:
• Completion of 80 hours of agency-required training.
• Obtains and maintains certification in First Aid and CPR
• Attends at least 10 hours of in-service or external training annually and demonstrates that the material presented is integrated into practice.
• Actively engages in and completes annual goal-setting process.

Other duties that support the mission of our agency

Requirements:

• BA, BS, or BSW in human service field or 60 college credit hours preferred.
• Experience with adolescent/young adult population.
• Valid Illinois driver's license, valid auto insurance and a reliable vehicle.
• Meets DCFS requirements for transporting clients
• Operate kitchen equipment: stove, coffee maker, microwave, deep fryer, etc.
• Operate office equipment: copier machine, smartphone, computer, Microsoft Teams.
• Walk up and down stairs at least 20 times per shift.
• Supervise residents via direct eye contact and observing behavior.
• Lift items up to 20 lbs.
• Write reports, logs, and update client files.
• Move household furniture up to 25 lbs. and move it at least 12 feet to arrange and rearrange the home.
• Is computer proficient and can write reports and record in client files.
• Light housekeeping and minor repairs to sites as needed.

Required Background Check:

Employment at The Harbour, Inc. is contingent on passing a background check. All candidates must undergo and pass a background check before an employment offer is extended.

Professional Development

We value growth and provide training and development opportunities including:

• 80 hours of agency-required training
• Certification in First Aid and CPR
• 10+ hours of annual in-service or external training
• Annual goal setting and performance development process

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan
• Medical, Dental and Vision

If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a supportive, mission-driven environment, we encourage you to apply today.

The Harbour is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other protected status.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• 401(k)

Work Location: In person