Youth Specialist

Job Details: Job Location: VASSAR

• VASSAR, MI, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: $18.00Hourly, Youth Specialist Wolverine Human Services | Vassar, Michigan $18.00 per Hour | Full-Time | Entry-Level Opportunity Make a Difference Where It Matters Most Every young person deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered to build a better future. You can help make that possible. At Wolverine Human Services (WHS), our mission is simple: Helping Children and Families to be Victors. We're looking for dependable, compassionate, and motivated individuals to join our residential care team as Youth Specialists. In this hands-on role, you'll work directly with youth who need structure, guidance, encouragement, and positive role models. You'll help create a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop important life skills, overcome challenges, and work toward personal growth. This is more than a job. It's an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, develop valuable professional skills, and make a lasting impact in the lives of young people.

What You'll Do

As a Youth Specialist, you'll play an essential role in supporting the daily care, safety, and development of youth in our residential programs. Your key responsibilities include: Support & Supervise: Provide active supervision and guidance throughout daily routines, activities, and programming. Create a Safe Environment: Maintain a structured, supportive, and therapeutic setting that promotes safety and personal growth.

Be a Positive Role Model: Demonstrate healthy communication, appropriate boundaries, accountability, and effective conflict resolution. Encourage Growth: Help youth develop social skills, emotional regulation, responsibility, and positive decision-making. Support Treatment Goals: Work alongside the treatment team to consistently implement individualized plans and behavioral interventions.

Respond to Challenges: Recognize potential concerns, de-escalate difficult situations, and respond appropriately to behavioral crises. Maintain Accurate Records: Review shift communications and complete required reports, logs, and documentation in a timely manner. Collaborate with Your Team: Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and other professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Protect Those in Your Care: Follow agency policies, licensing requirements, and mandated reporting responsibilities under Michigan's Child Protection Law.

What We're Looking For

You don't need years of experience to make a difference. We're looking for individuals with the right attitude, sound judgment, and commitment to helping others. Successful Youth Specialists demonstrate: Compassion: Treating every young person with dignity, patience, and respect. Reliability: Showing up consistently and following through on responsibilities.

Professionalism: Maintaining appropriate boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical conduct. Emotional Maturity: Remaining calm, focused, and effective in challenging situations. Accountability: Taking ownership of decisions, actions, and responsibilities. Teamwork: Working collaboratively and communicating openly with others.

Adaptability: Responding positively to changing situations, feedback, and operational needs. Above all, we're looking for people who understand that consistency, trust, and positive relationships can make a meaningful difference in a young person's life.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following requirements: High school diploma or GED. Valid Michigan State ID. Ability to successfully complete Level 1 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) endorsement requirements. Ability to successfully complete Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) training and physically perform required intervention techniques.

Ability to obtain American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification. Ability to work assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required. Ability to work mandatory overtime or extended shifts as required to maintain appropriate staffing levels and ensure the safety and supervision of youth. Ability to meet applicable background screening, licensing, and employment eligibility requirements.

Training is provided! We equip our Youth Specialists with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills needed to confidently support the youth in our care. Position Details Location: Vassar, Michigan 48768 Pay: $18.00 per hour Employment Type: Full-Time Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly) Education: High School Diploma or GED Schedule: Assigned shifts based on program needs, mandatory overtime or extended shifts as required to maintain appropriate staffing levels and ensure the safety and supervision of youth Reports To: Youth Specialist Supervisor Why Join Wolverine Human Services?

At WHS, your work has purpose. Every interaction is an opportunity to provide encouragement, demonstrate leadership, and help a young person take another step forward. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to: Make a Real Impact: Help young people build confidence, resilience, and skills for their future. Grow Professionally: Gain hands-on experience in residential care, behavioral support, crisis intervention, and youth development.

Receive Specialized Training: Develop valuable skills through agency-provided training and required certifications. Work with a Dedicated Team: Collaborate with professionals who share a commitment to supporting youth and families. Build Meaningful Experience: Develop a strong foundation for future opportunities in human services, social work, behavioral health, and related fields.

Ready to Make an Impact? Your presence can make a difference. Your consistency can build trust. Your guidance can help change a life. If you're dependable, compassionate, and ready to take on meaningful responsibility, we want to hear from you. Apply today and take the first step toward a rewarding career with Wolverine Human Services.

Helping Children and Families to be Victors. Wolverine Human Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following requirements: High school diploma or GED. Valid Michigan State ID. Ability to successfully complete Level 1 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) endorsement requirements. Ability to successfully complete Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) training and physically perform required intervention techniques.

Ability to obtain American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification. Ability to work assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required. Ability to work mandatory overtime or extended shifts as required to maintain appropriate staffing levels and ensure the safety and supervision of youth. Ability to meet applicable background screening, licensing, and employment eligibility requirements.

Training is provided! We equip our Youth Specialists with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills needed to confidently support the youth in our care.