CHILDRENS HOME ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS·West Peoria, Illinois
The Youth Engagement Specialist provides direct care to children in residential programs, assisting with daily tasks and behavioral treatment goals. They work alongside a clinical team to ensure clients progress through the treatment program.
CHAIL is a youth, family, and community focused 501(c)(3) organization with multiple locations and 450 staff, located in Peoria, IL.
For over 160 years CHAIL has been helping the kids and families who need it most.
Children’s Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL) is the largest social service agency for youth and families in downstate Illinois.
The services we provide don’t just impact the individual child, they create positive ripple effects within their immediate family, neighborhood, community, and world by providing an opportunity to thrive.
Our residential programs are growing, and our agency is looking to add kind, empathetic, and dedicated mental health and social work experts to our team.
Children who enter into CHAIL’s residential programs are in need of clinical treatment. While Youth Engagement Specialists are not required to have a therapeutic background, they must demonstrate the ability to bring a therapeutic and empathetic approach to their interaction with clients.
Here at CHAIL, employees experience a “People First - Culture of Care” working atmosphere.
From the most tenured staff to the newest team member, everyone is welcomed into a community that prioritizes diversity, equity, wellness, belonging, and good health.
Starting with our CEO/President and migrating to every employee, this agency takes pride in taking care of each other.
We believe if our employees are cared for, they can better live out the mission of the agency which is to help the kids and families who need it most.
By putting our people first at CHAIL, they have the opportunity to share their expertise, talents, and passions with clients as they are changing the lives of the kids who will change the world.
Our employees at CHAIL will tell you that they love working for the agency because they love what the agency does!
This position is a direct service role that works directly with children in our care. Youth Engagement Specialists are responsible for helping children accomplish day to day tasks, make progress toward their behavior treatment goals, and working alongside a clinical team of therapists and behavior specialists to ensure kids are progressing through our treatment program.
The ideal candidate for the position of Youth Engagement Specialist is someone who displays an intense passion for helping children and young adults reach their full potential. This person should bring a heightened level of empathy, kindness, and patience to their work. They should be excited at the opportunity to work with children, committed to regularly engaging and interacting with our clients (sharing in their interests, hobbies, sports, etc.), and passionate about being a positive role model for the children in our care.
This position requires candidates to have a valid driver's license and a personal, insured vehicle at all times in order to transport children to and from activities.
This position requires candidates to sometimes work holidays and weekends.
This position requires candidates to be available for second shift (3 PM – 11 PM).
This position requires candidates to complete mandatory trainings during first shift (8 AM- 4 PM), especially during the first month of employment.
CHAIL provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in social services or a high school diploma with significant experience in a clinical mental health facility. A valid driver's license, personal vehicle, and the ability to work second shift, weekends, and holidays are required.
Market context
In Illinois, youth engagement roles in behavioral health and residential settings often draw steady interest because facilities need staff who can support adolescents during evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position is competitive for candidates who can meet the shift requirements, bring either a social services degree or substantial clinical mental health experience, and maintain reliable transportation. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your schedule flexibility and vehicle access before applying.
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