JJYS Lead Youth Development Specialist-Slate Canyon Youth Center

Job Description

Lead Youth Specialist—Slate Canyon Youth Center. We are looking for a motivated candidate who has the ability to engage youth in a positive way. If you have the passion and 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 supervise subordinates in scheduling, training, treatment planning, program facilitation and development at the facility or in the community. You will provide security, supervision and direction of youth with complex behavioral problems to ensure that standards of conduct, health, safety, housekeeping and recreation are maintained.

Juvenile Justice and Youth Services’ employees have opportunities to see the impacts of their hard work on the well‑being of today’s youth. Our team works with at‑risk and delinquent youth in a professional environment to supervise, teach pro‑social skills and attain positive behavioral outcomes. The work may be in a community setting, a residential shelter or treatment setting, or in a secure youth correctional facility.

It is dynamic, challenging and rewarding as youth mature and change due to the interventions provided by Youth Development Associates and Specialists.

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.

• Oversee and work closely with high‑risk/volatile youth with complex behavioral problems.
• Assess client physical, mental, social and behavioral needs.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
• Conduct individual, family, or group counseling sessions in accordance with the established treatment plan.
• Identify and apply appropriate security, safety, and control intervention techniques.
• Supervise youth with complex behavioral needs.
• Write court reports, parole summaries, treatment plans and supervision standards.
• Lead or functionally supervise staff; delegate work assignments, monitor/review quality of work, schedule staff, provide technical assistance or training, provide input on performance appraisals, hiring and discipline.
• Make decisions consistent with the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Transport youth.
• Speak clearly, concisely and effectively. Be able to listen to (and understand) information presented verbally and be able to read and understand written information.
• Have passed the Integrated Crisis Response (ICR) intervention program within 90 days of employment (coordinated by Juvenile Justice).

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; six years of full‑time education or a combination of education and experience to equal six years. A valid Utah Driver’s License.

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.

Volunteer work with youth and unpaid experience.

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