Youth Care Specialist

The mission of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is to provide a safe haven, high-quality care and hope for the future to children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has provided hope to children in Arkansas since 1993. Composed of three pillars: The Shelter, Hope Academy and Foster for the Future, our programs utilize and develop cutting-edge practices, grounded in over 30 years of trauma-centered research, to holistically meet the needs of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect. We are dedicated to continuing to develop high-quality programs and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that will guide best practices for decades to come.

OUR VALUES: Compassion: Recognize and meet the needs of children with respect, sensitivity and unconditional love; Excellence: Set the standard for high-quality service to children by performing above the expected; Integrity: Strive with our words and actions to be worthy of the trust placed in us.

THE POSITION: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter seeks an individual to serve as Youth Care Specialist to play a key role in the day-to-day direct care and supervision of residents while embracing and upholding our mission and values.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: ● Actively supervises and interacts with residents at all times while documenting and communicating with Case Managers and Team Leaders concerns and feedback in regards to each resident ● Actively participates in promoting health development, behavior management, learning and overall individual success with each resident ● Actively engages with residents in their daily activities, developing positive relationships that supports residents in meeting their goals ● Works in collaboration with Case Managers, Counseling Staff and Education to meet the overall needs of each resident ● Transports residents to/from community activities and medical appointments, as assigned ● Attends and participates in required trainings aimed at understanding and applying child and adolescent development principles ● Models and promotes positive relationship-building and interactions between residents and staff ● Adheres to all shelter policies and procedures as set forth by federal and state guidelines as well as by the direction of our Board of Directors and Executive Director ● Demonstrates and promotes diversity and cultural competency with residents and staff ● Sets, maintains and communicates appropriate personal and professional boundaries with peers, support staff, volunteers, supervisors and other professionals. ● Attends all meetings, trainings and other events as required ● Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications ● Twenty-one years of age or older ● High School diploma or equivalent required ● Physical stamina and agility required to care for active children and youth ● Physical ability to use authorized techniques for management of aggressive behaviors ● Must pass all criminal history, child maltreatment and background checks ● Must pass pre-employment drug screening ● Valid driver’s license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicle and/or for shelter business

Preferred Qualifications: ● Experience working with children in crisis ● Experience exercising Trust Based Relational Intervention and Conscious Discipline ● Relevant college courses or college degree (e.g., Education, Social Work, Human Services, etc)

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes ● Basic knowledge with Microsoft Office and other database programs ● Ability to operate standard office equipment, including but not limited to: computers, telephone systems, calculators, and copiers ● Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills ● Flexibility, reliability, and self-motivation ● Ability demonstrate professionalism, interpersonal skills and strong communication

WORKING CONDITIONS ● Potential for unpredictable resident behavior ● Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching and lifting for long periods of time, both indoors and outdoors ● Ability to lift at least 50 pounds ● Cleaning as directed ● Physical exposure to communicable disease/contagions

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.