Job Description
Youth Specialist
Residential Services Program
Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of youth? We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and motivated individuals to join our Residential Services team as a Youth Specialist. In this role, you will help create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for children and adolescents in a residential treatment setting while supporting their emotional, behavioral, and developmental growth.
Position Summary
The Youth Specialist works collaboratively with Residential Supervisors and clinical staff to support the daily operations of a Therapeutic Group Home. This position provides direct care, supervision, crisis intervention, behavior management, and recreational programming for youth in care. The ideal candidate is team-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and committed to helping youth thrive in a structured therapeutic environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive living environment for youth in care
- Implement treatment plans and therapeutic programming as part of daily activities
- Supervise residents and provide proactive behavioral interventions and crisis management
- Document resident behaviors, responses to care, and daily progress accurately and timely
- Participate in recreational, educational, and developmental activities with residents
- Administer medications as scheduled and prescribed in accordance with agency and DCF guidelines
- Respond appropriately to crisis situations, including the use of therapeutic restraints when necessary
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe residential environment
- Collaborate with Residential Supervisors, clinical staff, schools, and treatment teams
- Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and agency meetings
- Follow all agency policies, procedures, and incident reporting protocols
Qualifications
- High school diploma required; Associate degree preferred
- Minimum of 3–4 years of experience working with children and adolescents, or equivalent education and experience
- Strong crisis intervention and behavior management skills
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Understanding of childhood development, trauma-informed care, and cultural diversity preferred
- Working knowledge of the Greater Waterbury area preferred
- Bilingual Spanish/English candidates are encouraged to apply
Required Certifications/Training
Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain:
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- DCF Medication Administration Certification
- DCF-approved Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certification
- DCF Background History Check (CPA)
- Physical and PPD testing as required