Youth Services Supervisor (Youth Group Leader)

Working with the Division of Youth Services is more than it seems. You will be working with staff to create a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in our day treatment and residential programs. To succeed in this position you will need to be empathetic, nonjudgmental, cooperative, encouraging, able-bodied, professional, and respectful; you must be able to communicate clearly, honestly and openly. We also offer a variety of great benefits including health, dental, vision, paid holidays, cafeteria plans, retirement, and more. Join us and help make the difference for our youth today!

This is professional and supervisory work in a treatment program for youth committed to the custody of the Missouri Division of Youth Services. This position assumes responsibility, together with staff, for the safety, personal conduct, care, and therapy of the youth in a group, implements group and individual treatment plans, maintains security in buildings, grounds, and other posts, and intervenes during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain physical control of youth.

The following tasks are the responsibility of the Youth Services Supervisor:

• Assume a leadership role in directing, developing, monitoring and maintaining quality treatment services; provides direct supervision to the Youth Services Workers.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff members of the treatment teams; supervises staff in the treatment process, assists in training and career development activities, and includes counseling, appraisals, discipline, scheduling, etc.
• Conduct and participate in team, leadership, and performance meetings in accordance with policy/procedure; lead weekly youth group meetings.
• Serve as the “group leader” in guiding the group interaction process. Interact critically and constructively with staff members to develop and implement successful treatment techniques.
• Assist in the oversight of an outdoor program, instructs youth in outdoor skills, and evaluates the application of such skills in scheduled activities.
• Communicate with court and community-based staff regarding each youth’s progress, placement plans, and family issues; prepares reports regarding youth’s progress, adjustments, and related matters.
• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, with responsibility for their safety, personal conduct, care, education, and therapy. Awareness Supervision is defined as the ability to see, be seen by, and to hear and be heard by youth at all times in order to be capable of swift, appropriate response.
• Intervene in youth medical emergencies defined as the ability to perform first-aid interventions for youth including, but not limited to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Maintain security, including intervention and/or full participation in physical restraints of youth during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain physical control
• Keep staff informed of significant behavioral conditions known about an individual and/or the group.
• Ability to work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime; and the ability to maintain regular attendance and respond to crises situations.
• Transport and escort youth in everyday and emergency situations.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

One or more years of experience as a higher level Youth Services Worker (Youth Specialist II) with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System; and possession of a high school diploma or high school equivalency. OR A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work; and, One or more years of professional experience in the treatment of juveniles which involved group or individual counseling techniques. OR A Bachelor’s degree and 1-3 years of youth treatment experience and/or relevant certification. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Special Requirements: Possession of a valid driver’s license at all times

(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute for the required experience. Work experience in a residential treatment program which involved casework, group counseling, juvenile rehabilitation, probation and parole, and/or social work for youth {12-17 years of age} may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required degree.)

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you experience an accessibility issue while applying at mocareers.mo.gov, please contact courtney.a.hall@dss.mo.gov or call 573-526-0416. If you have questions about this position please contact: hrc@dss.mo.gov.

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