Youth Care Specialist (YCS) Day- The Pines

Job Title: Youth Care Specialist (YCS)
Reports to: Residential Manager
Department: The Pines
Compensation: $25 per hour

Shrub Oak International School (www.shruboak.org) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.
The Pines at Shrub Oak is a 24-bed, coeducational, interim residential placement for students on the autism spectrum who may need significant psychiatric support and stabilization before transitioning to a less restrictive environment. Students at the Pines receive psychiatric services in addition to academic and life skills instruction in a safe, supportive environment with a 2:1 student to staff ratio.

• Manage the day-to-day direct care needs, operations and programs of students at The Pines
• Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students, including understanding their unique interests, needs and goals, as well as the student body generally, to maintain a positive and cooperative environment 
• Support student learning and skill development both in and outside of the classroom
• Complete administrative tasks, including but not limited to, assisting with move-in/move-out of students, shift logs, incident reports, intervention plans and progress tracking 
• Proactively work with students in crisis to de-escalate situations using The Pines protocol
• Attend to and report all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention in a timely manner to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with The Pines policies/procedures 
• Facilitate on-campus and off-campus programming and community development based on the needs of each student outlined by the student’s Individualized Trans-disciplinary Education Plan (ITEP) and support plans
• Advise, support and mentor students on various life skills in collaboration with other disciplines within The Pines
• Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team including documenting efforts and progress 
• Develop, present, track, and evaluate educational programs for students
• Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including all staff orientation/training  
• Support other department responsibilities as needed and determined 
• Work cohesively with all members of the student’s care team

• High-School Diploma and relevant combination of post-secondary education and experience in residential, psychiatric, or academic settings required; bachelor’s degree preferred
• At least 2-years minimum of relevant or related professional experience required
• Previous experience working in special education and behavioral intervention strongly preferred
• DBT experience preferred

• Exceptional written communication skills, specifically involving documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and other related administrative tasks
• Ability to adapt approach of care based on presenting needs of students
• Exceptional verbal communication skills
• Skilled in managing challenging behaviors and executing de-escalation techniques
• Comfortability managing crisis behavior and working collaboratively with other staff around crisis management
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to display grit and resilience and maintain composure
• Strong ability to build relationships with students and peers
• Strong ability to process and retain information and to think critically and analytically during crisis
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
• Ability to handle highly challenging behaviors, including those aggressive in nature
• Computer proficiency and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other software
• Ability to get TCIS trained and complete/maintain all required trainings

• Insurance coverage: Health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401k w/ company match
• Tuition/Professional development assistance
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Employee discounts

Physical Requirements/Demands:
A workday regularly includes multiple or conflicting demands, deadlines and time pressures; work regularly requires sustained concentration. Standing for sustained periods of time, bending, stretching, walking up and down stairs (building has 6 floors), around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice. May need to lift/move boxes up to 25 pounds and move or rearrange furniture.

Work Environment:
We are a boarding school located on a 127-acre campus. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, mostly inside the classroom or educational environment. May include work within the residential setting. The building has 6 floors accessible by staircases and elevators.

EEO Statement:
Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Please note:
SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. Smoking or vaping of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors, outdoors, and during off-campus activities, with enforcement measures in place including smoke/vape detectors. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.