Thursday, February 23, 2012

Working with at-risk youth - Catholic Community Services (Olympia and surrounding counties)

Working with at-risk youth (Olympia and surrounding counties): Catholic Community Services has openings for Community Support Specialists working one-on-one with at-risk youth in Thurston, Pierce, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis, and Pacific Counties. Looking for active, dedicated people with an interest/experience in social services. Minimum age 21. Reliable transportation with valid insurance is required. Flexibility and evening/weekend availability preferred. Starting pay is $9.50/hr., plus travel time and mileage pay. Benefits available. Applications are available by visiting our website at www.ccsww.org or calling 360-878-8248 or 1-888-322-7156. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Catholic Community Services values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

I. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:


A. Position Description

Provide one-on-one support to high-risk children and youth in their homes and community. Includes the provision of supervision for safety, assistance in accessing and participating in community activities, and mentoring and coaching positive social skills. The CSS' work will follow a plan of care for each child and family under the direction of a CCS Therapist or Care Coordinator. Hours are flexibly scheduled and based on program, agency and family need, with no minimum hours assured.

B. Family Preservation System Philosophy

The Family Preservation System provides an integrated and flexible array of strengths-based services and supports centered around one predominant belief: Children need their families and families need their children. All services are delivered with the following core values in mind: safety of the child, family and community; flexible and responsive; family driven; normative; family oriented; strengths based; comprehensive and collaborative; unconditional; individualized; and culturally relevant.

C. Position Responsibilities

1. Universal job skills: All CCS Family Preservation employees will demonstrate the ability to:

a. Communicate role, responsibility and agency philosophy in order to assure mutual respect, confidence and trust with the child and family and other stakeholders.

b. Provide non-judgmental, unconditional support to the child and family.

c. Assess for immediate safety and stabilization needs.

d. Customize helping approaches to fit the family's uniqueness, personality, culture and interest.

e. Report relevant information to the right people at the right time.

f. Maintain a focus on strengths, needs and creative solutions.

g. Utilize the family's expertise in problem solving and solution seeking.

h. Work interdependently with others toward common goals.

i. Respond to family's and children's needs in a timely fashion.

j. Complete required documentation within established timeframes.

k. Instill hope for the future by communicating and behaving with confidence and reassurance.


2. Welcome, Engagement and Assessment: The skilled Family Preservation CSS will demonstrate the ability to:

a. Receive assignment and solicit feedback from referring co-worker about planned activities.

b. Introduce themselves and the activity plans for the day to the family.


3. Individualized Service Planning: The skilled Family Preservation CSS will demonstrate the ability to:

a. Participate in service plan development upon request.


4. Implementing Services: The skilled Family Preservation CSS will demonstrate the ability to:

a. Discuss/communicate your role and activity for the day with the family.

b. Adapt and modify activity to fit the immediate situation and/or family feedback.

c. Provide structure and support within the agreed upon activity across the following areas:
i. Model and teach appropriate behavior and skills.
ii. Provide direct supervision and redirection of children.
iii. Connect and introduce youth/family to community resources in their own community.
iv. Identify and access positive relationship for the child and family.
v. Build youth capacity.
vi. Other options as directed.

d. Implement agreed upon activity within the time frames specified by the referring co-worker.

e. Identify situations that require other CCS supports to assure prompt, effective and appropriate response.

f. De-escalate and manage situations until other responders can arrive.

g. Seek assistance and report incidents to the right people at the right time.


5. Transitioning Services to Natural and Other Community Supports: The skilled Family Preservation CSS will demonstrate the ability to:

a. Focus on successes experienced during activity or time with family just completed.

b. Communicate and summarize to the family and referring co-workers about completed activities and observations.


All employees working in CCS have the responsibility for developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment. Employees' treatment of each other, their willingness to try new ways and ideas--all these things contribute greatly to the organization's success in providing an open, culturally enriched and diverse workplace.


II. QUALIFICATIONS:


A. Minimum Qualifications

1. 21 years old or older

2. High School Diploma or GED

3. First Aid/CPR certified within 30 days of employment

4. TB test results within the past 12 months upon hire

5. HIV/AIDS training or obtain within 30 days of employment

6. Agency Affiliated Certificate (HIV/AIDS training required) or obtained within 30 days of employment

7. Ability to pass DSHS and criminal background checks

8. Driving abstract showing an acceptable driving record with no prior convictions for driving under the influence

9. Must have reliable transportation, valid WA driver's license and automobile insurance.


B. Preferred Qualifications

1. A.A. or B.A. in social sciences, social services or mental health field background.

2. One year relevant experience with social services and mental health agencies working with people who need assistance.
Location: Olympia and surrounding counties
  • Location: Olympia and surrounding counties
  • Compensation: 9.50 per hour
  • This is at a non-profit organization.
  • Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
  • Phone calls about this job are ok.
  • Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.