Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 101 programs in 138 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons, but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve.

Youth Development Specialists are the guardians of the daily milieu and their role is absolutely central in our efforts to help the youth residing in the facility. Supervise their assigned children in everyday life from the time they get up in the morning to the time they go to bed, and through the night. They participate in daily living routines. From morning to night, the Youth Development Specialist guides the children in establishing and maintaining health promoting and socially desirable habits, regarding personal hygiene, grooming, diet and mealtime behavior, leisure time activities and interaction with peers and adults. They support and maintain standards of good care, safety and order. Generally, they provide a strong sense of security and well being for each youth by assuring protection from being hurt physically or abused emotionally. They are concerned about youth’s health needs.

Under medical or nursing supervision, they may care for a youth who is ill, give first aid and dispense medication. They encourage and, as necessary, assist youth in their formal education by helping with homework and conveying a positive attitude toward learning. Through participation in maintaining clean and attractive housing conditions, they help the youth develop constructive attitudes toward work as well as pride in their living environment. They are involved in planning and organizing leisure time activities with the children. They encourage participation in group games and development of skills. Youth Development Specialist conveys a sense of empathy and encourages a trusting relationship between youth and themselves. They interpret to youth the agency’s/DJJ policies and requirements. They consult, share information and participate with members of other disciplines in planning and evaluation conferences.

• Provides direct supervision and always be accountable for whereabouts of residents.
• Manages supported behavior with the goal of teaching young people to make positive, lasting changes in their behavior.
• Implements daily routines, schedules and procedures.
• Assures the safety of the persons supported and maintains security.
• Ensures high standard of sanitary conditions throughout the house including heavy cleaning and laundry.
• Participates in the planning and execution of educational, recreational, and personal enrichment activities.
• Participates in ongoing meetings, conferences, training programs as required.
• Interacts and communicates with Rising Ground staff in matters related to, but not limited to, the needs of the persons supported and the program, in general.
• Responsible for providing safe transportation for persons supported and attending various appointments (including driving persons supported to and from school, medical appointments, and off-site family visits).
• Attend all mandatory training required by ACS, OCFS and the Agency.
• Responsible for adhering to all ACS, OCFS and agency regulations.
• Uphold rules, repertoire of responses, confrontation techniques, application of the restriction system, negotiating restrictions, Force Fields; utilization of Safe Crisis Management techniques when necessary.
• Manages the peer group, understands peer group dynamics, promotes and maintains a positive peer group culture.
• Attention to and support of medical issues, student educational needs, casework, clinical appointments, etc. Monitors residents in Family Court.
• Completes log reports, complete behavior assessment reports, submit documentation, incident reports.
• Informs the Case Planner and supervisors of any issues related to the youth or their families as they become aware of such information
• Ability to work various hours and days of the week
• Performs other duties as assigned

• High school Diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 - 2 years experience working with the youth especially in the residential setting preferred.
• Valid NYS Drivers Licenses required.

$21/hr.