Youth Mentor (418)

About the Role

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is seeking dedicated Youth Mentors to make a positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth. This role involves working with challenging behaviors and requires individuals willing to provide direct service delivery in group homes for adolescent teens.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of youth residents.
• Providing quality care and ensuring a safe and secure environment.
• Transporting and supervising residents on outside activities.
• Assisting with daily routines, including meal preparation, hygiene, and medication administration.
• Maintaining facility security and up-keep.
• Developing, planning, coordinating, and participating in daily recreational and social activities.
• Consulting and communicating with shift leaders, supervisors, and professional staff regarding behavior issues and youth needs.
• Participating in the implementation and monitoring of client case plans.
• Attending in-service training sessions and staff meetings.
• Assigning and supervising chores, and performing light housekeeping duties.
• Responding to critical incidents and emergency situations, documenting appropriately.
• Assisting with youth intakes and discharges.
• Conducting group meetings with youth to discuss issues and address concerns.
• Providing instruction on appropriate behaviors and independent living skills.
• Observing and documenting the behavior, development, and needs of children.
• Maintaining daily written records and logs of observations and concerns.
• Providing responsive, high-quality services to external agencies and the public.
• Performing other duties as assigned by Program Director and/or House Coordinator.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma, GED or equivalency completion certification required.
• Post-secondary education in Human Service field preferred.
• Certified CPR/First Aid, and crisis intervention required.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and proof of active insurance.
• Ability to operate standard household equipment.
• Ability to drive and maintain eligibility to operate agency vehicles, if required.
• Ability to transport youth in agency van.
• Ability to accompany youth on field trips and other recreational outings.

Qualifications

• Willingness to work with challenging behaviors.
• Comfort working with at-risk adolescent males and females.
• Comfort working with youth impacted by abuse, neglect, and trauma.
• Ability to remain alert and responsive during all shifts, including overnights and extended hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, and climb stairs frequently.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform physical intervention or de-escalation techniques if required.
• Sufficient vision and hearing to observe and monitor client behaviors and ensure safety.
• Manual dexterity to write legibly, operate a computer, and perform light cleaning/household duties.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments and weather conditions.
• Good organizational, written, and verbal skills.
• Dependability, discretion, and good judgment are essential.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, co-workers, and the general public.
• Sensitivity to service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.
• Willingness to respond to requests for coverage with minimal notice.