Youth Care Specialist

JOB TITLE : Youth Care Specialist (CSEC) REPORTS TO : Residential Treatment Coordinator LOCATION : Northwest Suburbs

ABOUT SHELTER YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community-based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we've grown into a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma-informed care in Illinois. With a current budget of $10M and ambitious plans to grow to $15M, our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.

Shelter Youth & Family Services is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities. Our mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and transform communities. Joining us in this role will give you a chance to help fulfill that mission and help the community. Shelter and its facilities are drug and smoke-free environments.

Learn more at shelter-inc.org .

Shelter Youth and Family Services encourages the application of all bilingual applicants to work with our client community. Applicants who can successfully certify their skill level in reading, speaking, and writing in two languages with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may receive an additional salary stipend. Certification testing is set by DCFS.

POSITION OVERVIEW The Youth Care Specialist for the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Program will provide direct support and supervision for up to 12 female identifying youth who are survivors of human trafficking in a therapeutic, trauma-informed residential setting. This role requires compassion, consistency, and the ability to respond to the unique emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of youth who have experienced complex trauma.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RESIDENT SUPERVISION AND TEACHING

• Provide supervision, support, and mentoring to youth in accordance with program policies.
• Implement trauma-informed care practices that emphasize safety, empowerment, and healing.
• Supervise and assist residents with a structured daily schedule.
• Assist youth with daily living skills, educational support, recreational activities and goal setting.
• Model healthy coping skills, communication, and boundaries for youth.
• Intervene in crisis situations using de-escalation strategies that prioritize safety.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures and the Department of Children and Family Services "Code of Ethics for Child Welfare Professionals."

HOUSE MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

ACCOUNTABILITY

Youth Care Specialists shall be supervised and directly accountable on all matters to the Program Coordinator.

HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT Multiple Full-time and Part Time Positions are available on all shifts and will be discussed during the interview.

QUALIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; and use hands to handle or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and reach with hands or arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Shelter is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in the agency facilities, and occasionally in vehicles, meeting rooms both in the facility and at other agency sites.

CLASSIFICATION STATUS

This is a non-exempt position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals from historically underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace for all.

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