Provides direct care for at-risk youth in a safe and caring family style living environment. Guides and counsels youth on appropriate skills and behaviors and provides youth with moral, spiritual and educational development needed for future success.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Provides and fosters a loving, caring, and safe environment.

• Maintains a family style model by providing constant emotional support including the use of praise, positive feedback, affection and empathy to build self-confidence and respect.

• Uses rational problem solving techniques to counsel youth through personal problems.

• Provides a family support system and a safe home life.

• Monitors off-campus activities and observes interactions of youth during home, recreational, and leisure times for appropriate skill development and safety.

• Adheres to all child safety-related policies and procedures to include reporting guidelines and behavioral management.

• Provides crisis intervention to youth out of instructional control which could include physical restraint.

• Plans, participates, and provides opportunities for individual and family fun activities that are entertaining and educational.

• Models and teaches parenting, family, and relationships skills to youth, legal guardians and caretakers to sustain a collaborative relationship through effective family engagement practices.

• Nurtures and cares for youth who are ill and in need of medical care or assistance.

• Utilizes Boys Town vehicle to provide transportation for youth as needed.

Provides direct care and service to children.

• Serves as an active member of the treatment team; participates in measuring progress and providing input on goals and discharge planning.

• Collaborates with courts, social agencies, parents, school personnel and other members of the treatment team about youth's behaviors and progress, strategies and treatment.

• Adheres to reporting guidelines.

• Assesses and monitors youth skills and progress to determine skill development needs and priorities.

• Uses Boys Town Model by describing, practicing, and providing rationales for the use of appropriate skills/behaviors as well as describing and addressing negative behaviors.

• Serves as a role model for youth by exhibiting skills taught in the program.

Provides for moral/spiritual/education development.

• Monitors, supports, and encourages academic performance and educational success (e.g. good study habits, quality of work, higher education, etc.).

• Attends school conferences, communicates with educational staff, and builds effective working relationships in order to meet the needs of youth’s academic success.

• Teaches and models Boys Town values, including, moral and ethical behaviors and obeys the law.

• Supports, attends, and participates in religious services, conferences, community service projects, and other activities with youth and discusses how these are applicable and beneficial to the youth’s daily life.

• Maintains contact with former youth in support of their transition with employment, education, independent living and family relationships.

Acts as a liaison for consumers, outside agencies, and internal personnel.

• Maintains contact with consumers to obtain and or give information, schedule appointments, and to coordinate activities.

• Attends and appears in court with or on behalf of youth as needed.

• Assists with or prepares youth progress reports for consumers.

• Writes incident/behavior summary on youth progress for administration.

• Tracks, documents, and communicate youth medical needs and appointments with consumers and administration.

• Supervises activities of Assistant Family-Teachers.

• Provides for and assists in the development of Assistant Family-Teachers by teaching and developing skills needed to perform well in their job and observing performance and providing ongoing performance feedback.

• Gives and receives feedback or suggestions to strengthen the service planning team relationship and develop positive change.

• Provides monthly schedule for the Assistant Family-Teacher.

• Schedules and conducts meetings to discuss the youth, the home, upcoming events, and to disseminate information to effectively coordinate home operations.

• Manages budget.

• Maintains appropriate spending and budgeting of the household needs.

• Prepares and submits reimbursement statements (e.g. receipts and other documentation) to account for monies spent.

• Manages the upkeep and maintenance needs for the home.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must have the ability and desire to work and live with youth.

• Must have the willingness and ability to implement all phases of the Boys Town Family Home Model, including all intervention and administrative functions.

• Proven record of sound judgment and ability to work with children in a mature and responsible manner.

• Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based on physical, psychological, psycho/social, educational, safety and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the youth being served in his/her assigned service area.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. NOTE: Education and experience requirements may be higher based on Affiliate Site location, Local contracts, or Federal/State contract requirements.

• Minimum 21 years of age required.

• Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record and pass an annual Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) check required.

• Possess a valid marriage certificate required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some college credit is preferred.