Youth Care Specialist; YCS - Pines

Job Title:

Youth Care Specialist (YCS)

Reports to:

Residential Manager
Department:
The Pines
Compensation: $25 per hour

Shrub Oak International School ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co‑occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family‑centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence‑based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.

The Pines at Shrub Oak is a 24‑bed, coeducational, interim residential placement for students on the autism spectrum who may need significant psychiatric support and stabilization before transitioning to a less restrictive environment. Students at the Pines receive psychiatric services in addition to academic and life skills instruction in a safe, supportive environment with a 2:1 student‑to‑staff ratio.

The Youth Care Specialist (YCS) is an hourly position reporting to the Residential Manager or Evening/Overnight Supervisor. In collaboration with education, clinical, and residential staff, the YCS provides front‑line direct care and administrative support for daily operations. The YCS is responsible for guiding and mentoring students, assisting with emergency response procedures, and collaborating with all members of the Shrub Oak staff.

Serving as a coach and mentor for students, the YCS works closely with colleagues to create and maintain an inclusive community and foster specific skill development to meet the individualized needs of the Pines student population. The YCS will also hold shared responsibility for helping to create and maintain a DBT milieu within The Pines, and will support, and help facilitate DBT skills groups for youth.

Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgment is required.

• Manage the day‑to‑day direct care needs, operations and programs of students at The Pines
• Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students, including understanding their unique interests, needs and goals, as well as the student body generally, to maintain a positive and cooperative environment
• Support student learning and skill development both in and outside of the classroom
• Complete administrative tasks, including but not limited to, assisting with move‑in/move‑out of students, shift logs, incident reports, intervention plans and progress tracking
• Proactively work with students in crisis to de‑escalate situations using The Pines protocol
• Attend to and report all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention in a timely manner to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with The Pines policies/procedures
• Facilitate on‑campus and off‑campus programming and community development based on the needs of each student outlined by the student’s Individualized Trans‑disciplinary Education Plan (ITEP) and support plans
• Advise, support and mentor students on various life skills in collaboration with other disciplines within The Pines
• Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team including documenting efforts and progress
• Develop, present, track, and evaluate educational programs for students
• Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including all staff orientation/training
• Support other department responsibilities as needed and determined
• Work cohesively with all members of the student’s care team

Please note:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• High School Diploma and relevant combination of post‑secondary education and experience in residential, psychiatric, or academic…