The Life Skills & Education Specialist is responsible for providing daily care, education and life skills support, and supervision to residents in the Unaccompanied Minor program.

Education

• Collaborate with the clinicians in decision making around client education needs and education program changes, etc.
• Coordinate with clinicians the distribution of school records e.g. grade reports, summary reports at discharge. Provide supervision, evaluation, and consultation to the Education Administrative Assistant.
• Support and encourage students to positively participate and complete all school tasks.
• Consistently meet with the teacher(s) providing the communication link between school personnel and the program staff daily.
• Report on education issues at team meetings, providing advocacy and support.

Life Skills

• Serve as a positive role-model to youth and cultivate an environment that promotes high self-esteem.
• Provide post-secondary educational opportunities and information, to include applying for college or vocational school, applying for financial aid, and other support as needed.
• Provide (at least) weekly four hours of daily living skills trainings with subject matter including, but not limited to:
  • budgeting, banking, public transportation, credit maintenance, social and socio-sexual skills, community involvement, etiquette and manners, interpersonal relationships, networking, job searching
• Cultivate an environment with an awareness of clients' rights and responsibilities for the program and for the U.S. laws and norms.
• Conduct initial, quarterly, and post assessments on independent living skills for each youth.
• Maintain accurate records of the youths' attendance and participation while reporting the details to the assigned case worker.
• Facilitate life skills activities to improve skills necessary for living independently, such as conflict resolutions, anger management, medication management, and tutoring.

General

• Attends necessary team meetings for education and residential.
• Be available to assist other YTS staff in event of shortage and/or crisis.
• Express ideas, suggestions, and concerns in a timely and appropriate manner, using established channels and opportunities to seek resolution.
• Responsible for timely Quality Assurance compliance as related to employee’s roles and functions.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meets all qualifications as described in the Youth Treatment Specialist job description.
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Prior experience working with youth in a classroom or life skill setting preferred.
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Federally funded program requiring the following vaccinations:
  • Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart)
    • OR born in the United States before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness)
    • OR titers indicating varicella immunity
    • OR documentation from healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
  • MMR: Two doses of MMR vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart)
    • OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
  • DTaP or DTap
    • Complete primary vaccination series. If primary vaccination series completed in childhood, one DTaP dose in adulthood.
  • Influenza: Single dose annually during flu season
• Subscription to the Statement of Faith of Wedgwood Christian Services and agreement with the goal, purpose, and objectives of the agency.

BENEFITS:

• 403b Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Medical plans with great coverage options
• Free supplemental virtual PCP care with medical plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Dental and vision plans
• Pet insurance
• Legal insurance
• A Locally Partnered Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive paid time off
• Direct deposit
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness through PSLF
• Paid Holidays
• We also offer a variety of employer paid benefits for full time staff
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Life insurance up to 2x your annual salary
• No-cost, employer paid training and re-certification provided to staff
• Wedgwood is proud to offer a full gymnasium with an attached 24hr wellness center that houses a wide variety of workout equipment. Wedgwood is happy to provide this space to our staff at no cost.
• Through community partnerships, Wedgwood employees and in some cases family members, are eligible for application and tuition fee discounts for several local colleges and universities.

Wedgwood Christian Services

Since 1960, Wedgwood Christian Services has been dedicated to boldly taking on the toughest problems facing children and families through residential care, counseling services and community programs. Leaning on our faith and core values of integrity, compassion, excellence, and diversity, we tackle the crucial work of supporting and restoring the wellbeing of all those who call West Michigan home.

Mission: Wedgwood Christian Services extends God's love to youth, adults, and families through professional counseling and educational services.

Core Values: Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, and Diversity