Job Brief
We are looking for an experienced behavior therapist to join our team. This is a very unique position that gives you an opportunity to help a small group of kids in a short amount of time. Instead of a huge caseload of children, you will be responsible for 12. You will be able to commit all your time and energy into 12 kids in a 40 hour week with positive results. You will assess, engage and help at-risk youth address unhealthy and debilitating behaviors as well as overcome phobias, addictions, and traumas. Most of our clients are foster children ages 5-13 years. The behavior therapist’s responsibilities include helping patients understand their behaviors, teaching clients how to change their responses to unfavorable situations, and assisting patients in developing healthier coping mechanisms. You should also be able to create personalized exercises and activities to help children adjust their thought patterns.
The perfect candidate should demonstrate compassion, patience, and understanding when treating these children. Be able to think out of the box at times when necessary. Hold children accountable and communicate boundaries and skill sets that can be implemented. Utilize positive reinforcement techniques. Establish trust and build a rapport with children in a short amount of time. Accurately assess clients’ progress. The therapist will apply a therapeutic approach that includes animal and adventure therapy. This is not your typical office job.
Behavior Therapist Responsibilities:
-
Assisting patients in developing healthier thought patterns and behaviors.
-
Analyzing patients’ behavioral patterns to diagnose mental health disorders.
-
Developing suitable treatment programs based on patients’ diagnoses.
-
Adjusting treatment programs accordingly.
-
Collaborate with the Administrator on treatment plans, company best practices and program development.
-
Work well with county social workers, WRAP services and other outside organizations that are available to help the children in care.
-
Create and implement community resources that may be instrumental in the success of the client.
-
Recommending activities and exercises to help patients develop the skills and mechanisms needed to manage their diagnoses or overcome their phobias and addictions.
-
Maintaining detailed counseling and observation notes on each patient.
-
Collaborating with patients’ families to obtain feedback on implemented treatment plans and patients’ progress.
-
Educating younger patients’ parents and teachers on using play to improve communication issues.
-
Lead and train staff with important strategies to implement treatment programs.
Behavior Therapist Requirements:
-
Master’s degree in psychology, applied behavioral science, or related field.
-
State license to practice behavior therapy.
-
Proven experience in behavior therapy.
-
In-depth knowledge of behavior therapy models.
-
Sound collaborative skills.
-
Excellent problem-solving skills.
-
Exemplary counseling and clinical skills.
-
Effective communication skills.
-
Compassionate and patient.
-
Ability to mentor and supervise psychology students in a masters program.
About our Clients and Strategies:
This is an accelerated, therapeutic short term program. We have 6-12 months to help these kids gain confidence and gain the skill-set to go back to being in a regular home and school environment Most of these kids are struggling with extreme behavioral trials and tribulations. Farm Living Youth service Incorporated is committed to recognizing these behaviors and putting an individual program in place to address them. Providing tools that will help them for a lifetime
It is imperative that we recognize and address the trauma and core reasons for acting out. issues, abandonment and trauma. They are most likely struggling with depression, anger or sometimes appear flat and withdrawn. They tend to hold a victim mentality and do not hold themselves accountable for their actions. They will utilize unhealthy strategies to deal with these issues like using drugs or alcohol,violence or acts of aggression, blaming others, using profanity and taking very little responsibility for their actions. They avoid difficult tasks or situations by overusing electronics and shutting down. These tactics are all unhealthy ways to deal with life’s Our cognitive behavior techniques and positive mindset strategies will hopefully help the healing process and allow them to grow stronger emotionally. We believe exposing them to this outside environment will strengthen their ability to cope and build their self esteem.
This program is designed to utilize nature with hands-on Animal Therapy and Adventure Therapy. 20 percent of the job duties will require travel. A typical Adventures Therapy Outing consists of camping, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ropes courses,biking,boating, rock climbing, caving, paddle boarding, white water rafting, fishing, hiking, games, arts and crafts. Being outside is the best setting for kids to learn how to emotionally regulate, and drop their defenses. We believe finding a purpose and having responsibilities is the best way to build strong self esteem and worth.The plan is to take them out of their normal setting and interrupt maladaptive and self-destructive behaviors. Being in this environment allows us to build a rapport, gain trust and assess their individual needs.
The Farm living component is a residential treatment plan where each child is exposed to living on the farm. They are surrounded by horses, chickens, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, etc. The kids will have an opportunity to ride horses, play with the goats and connect with animals on the farm. The kids will learn the responsibility of daily farm chores, the animal routines and farm maintenance. Many of our meals are farm to table and consist of pork, beef, vegetables and fruits grown on the farm. A sense of pride and accomplishment happens when kids are a part of growing their own food and raising livestock. Kids will learn how the cycle of life works in animals and plants. They will have a clear understanding of the importance of nutrition. Farm living will provide an opportunity to learn better life skills, coping skills, teamwork and a strong work ethic.
Outings are part of our incentive program and happen during the summer, school breaks and weekends. Kids will have the opportunity to go to theme parks, cruises and travel to exciting destinations.
Other Duties & Responsibilities:
Supervision protection and care of children at all times individually and in groups. Assistance to each child in working with a group and in handling individual problems. Administration of discipline and setting of limits for behavior that are consistent with trauma-informed care. Notation of the child’s progress identification of the possible need for additional Professional Services and communication of such bindings to the professional staff. Care staff shall perform duties as defined in assistance with the provision of access to core services and support daily activities and emotional social supports as necessary reporting to the facility manager or administrator. Making recommendations to address identified problems and any other duties that may be necessary to ensure the health and safety of the children
Safely perform job duties and follow risk management procedures.Oversight of youth. Maintain the safety of the children. Attend mandatory training. Manage group cohesion. Maintain kids behaviors, discipline and enforce consequences. Facilitate games, arts and crafts and other activities.Oversee meals, keep track of dietary restrictions and practice good food handling. Maintain farm equipment, animals and keep all areas of the facility clean and safe for residence. Order supplies through Purchase Order procedures. Teach and practice good hygiene .Make sure all operations are client with local county and state law requirements..Perform first aid and take care of injuries, as needed. Report and record details of incidents or accidents. Communicate needs and daily events with the Administrator and Clinical Psychologist. Operate a 12 passenger van. Perform safety inspection on assigned vehicle to be used and notify supervisor of any vehicle deficiencies; Follow all California State rules and regulations surrounding vehicle operation.Other duties as assigned. Ability to serve as a role model for children Ability to effectively communicate and interact with youth, adults, co-workers, supervisors and partners. Ability to speak publicly in groups and individually with youth and adults good analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to foster inclusivity and belonging among a diverse group of individuals Exceptional customer service skills Ability to follow a schedule and escort kids to arrive at their activities on-time. Ability to lead with enthusiasm. Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to be flexible and adaptive. Ability to arrive at work on time. Have strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Ability to manage small projects with a hands on and teaching mentality for gardening, fixing fences,building garden boxes and small DIT project management. Maintain a farm and its facilities. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Must be able to lift 75 lbs and be physically capable of long periods of standing, bending, walking, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to climb, run, kneel, squat, reach overhead, and wear a harness for an extended period of time. Must be ok with outdoors exposed to rain, heat and cold temperature for sometimes 10 hours a day
Must be willing to get your hands dirty and be very comfortable with farm animals and the outdoors. This is a physically active position.
Compensation Package:
We offer a salary of $102,000 per year, medical benefits after 3 months, annual reviews, Four weeks paid vacation after one year.
We believe in work life balance and promote a healthy workplace environment.
Please send resume with cover to:
farmlivingyouthservices@gmail.com Attn:Christi