Now Hiring: Youth Specialist II – Independent Living Group Home
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Status: Contingent floater between 2 homes
Wage: Starting at $16/hr + Shift Incentives
Scheduled: 3rd shift weekends
Are you calm under pressure, compassionate, and committed to helping young people heal and grow? Join our team as a Youth Specialist in a Staff Supported Housing program for adolescent females transitioning from foster care to independent living.
This overnight role is more than just supervision — it’s about creating a safe, stable environment for youth with trauma histories, offering empathy, structure, and support during their most vulnerable hours.
What You’ll Do:
- Provide supervision and emotional support in a trauma-informed setting
- Respond to crises with empathy and professionalism
- Maintain a safe, structured environment that promotes healing and independence
- Document observations and incidents in accordance with program standards
- Collaborate with a team dedicated to youth empowerment and recovery
What We’re Looking For:
- Associate’s degree in human services or 60 college credits or equivalent experience
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance
- Experience or interest in working with youth in high-stress environments
Why Join Us?
- Starting pay: $16/hour
- Incentives:
- +$1/hour for weekend or overnight shifts
- +$2/hour for shifts that qualify as both
- Competitive benefits
- Growth opportunities in youth services and trauma-informed care
- Be part of a mission-driven team making a real impact
Provides direct assistance and guidance to youth transitioning between foster care and independent living in Staff Supported Housing.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as a role model to youth in residence by modeling responsible behaviors as required
- Provide guidance in daily living skills, including household chores to youth
- Monitor activities of youth to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Report non-compliance with home rules to the Case Manager
- Maintain communication with youth to ensure adjustment to program expectations
- Facilitate and /or participate in “house meetings” to review house rules, plan activities or discuss other needs of house/group
- Participate in treatment planning meeting with each youth as needed or requested
- Communicate implementation of each youth’s Independent Living Plan with Independent Living Coach, Case Manager and other appropriate parties
- Maintain adequate awareness of youth’s activities to ensure the safety of the youth, other residents, staff and the home are maintained
- Report safety hazards and needed repairs within home and grounds to designated Case Manager or Supervisor
Job Qualifications
Education, Training, and Licensure/Certification
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred
- College coursework in social services preferred
- Professional training in social work, social services or child development preferred
Experience
- Experience working in a group home or residential setting preferred
- Experience working with youth preferred
Additional Work Requirements
- Valid unrestricted driver’s license with good driving record, proof of current registration and automobile insurance required; reliable personal transportation suitable for safely transporting persons served required
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