JJYS Lead Youth Development Specialist- Secure Care Support Team

Full Job Description

We are looking for a motivated candidate who has the ability to engage youth, in a positive way. If you have the passion & drive to make a difference in a young individual’s life, apply today!

Lead Youth Development Specialists counsel and supervise youth with complex behaviors.

You will serve as a lead worker and functionally mentor secure care facility staff in training, treatment planning, program facilitation and development in a facility setting.

You will provide security, supervision and direction of youth with complex behavioral problems to ensure that adequate standards of conduct, health, safety, housekeeping and recreation are maintained.

Our Team
Juvenile Justice and Youth Services’ employees have opportunities to see what the impacts that their hard work and dedication do for the well-being of today's youth. It is imperative that our employees provide opportunities for youth to acquire skills to successfully function in their homes, schools, and communities. Employees will provide support and guidance to the youth we serve while they are transitioning into adulthood. Together, we can help to improve the lives and welfare of youth in our communities.

Our team works with at-risk and delinquent youth in a professional team environment to supervise, teach pro-social skills, and attain positive behavioral outcomes. The work assignment is in a secure youth correctional facility, and may require you to support other facilities than your homebase. The work is dynamic, challenging and rewarding as youth mature and change due to the interventions provided by Youth Development Associates and Specialists.

Our Agency
The Department of Health and Human Services is dedicated to providing care for individuals and families in Utah. Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS) provides a continuum of intervention, supervision and rehabilitation programs to youth offenders while assuring public safety. For more information on Juvenile Justice and Youth Services with the Department of Health and Human Services, please click here!

Roles and Responsabilities

• Oversees and works closely with high risk/volatile youth with complex behavioral problems.

• Assist the treatment team with assessing client physical, mental, social and behavioral needs.

• Assists the treatment team in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans or Specialized Intervention Plans.

• Identifies and applies appropriate security, safety, and control intervention techniques.
• Supervises youth with complex behavioral needs including working one-on-one with youth to develop skills consistent with JJYS implemented evidence-based programming and practices.
• Collaborates on writing court reports, parole summaries, treatment plans and supervision standards.
• Leads or functionally coaches staff in implementing and maintaining Specialized Intervention Plans ; monitors/reviews quality of work consistent with the developed Specialized Intervention Plan, provides technical assistance or training specific to the developed Specialized Intervention Plan.

• Makes decisions consistent with the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis including collaboration with Qualified Mental Health Professionals to create, implement, and maintain Specialized Interventions plans for youth.

• Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; be able to listen to (and understand) information as presented verbally; be able to read and understand written information.

• Has passed the Integrated Crisis Response (ICR) intervention program within 90 days of employment (coordinated by Juvenile Justice).

Minimum Requirements
Preference may be given to candidates 21 years of age and a high school diploma or GED.

Six years of paid working experience with troubled or at-risk youth, people with disabilities or individuals with mental illness; six years of full-time education or a combination of education and experience to equal six years. A valid Utah Driver's License.

Qualifying work experience: Paid work at any JJYS facility, Utah State Hospital, Utah State Developmental Center, private residential youth programs, alternative schools, juvenile probation/ parole, Law enforcement, or programs that work with at-risk or delinquent youths, programs that serve people with disabilities or individuals with mental illness.

Non-qualifying work experience: Volunteer work with youth and unpaid experience

Supplemental Information

• High risks in this job include physical intervention with clients in order to de-escalate hostile or volatile situations.