Summary:

Under the general direction of the Lead, Evening and Weekend Supervisors, the Youth Care Worker is responsible for the daily care and supervision of UAC ensuring their health, safety and well-being is protected at all times. The Youth Care Worker is responsible for the implementation of direct care services in a manner that promotes best practices and facilitates the optimum delivery of quality trauma informed care to UAC. The Youth Care Worker ensures that each UAC’s physical, social, emotional, educational, and recreational needs are met in accordance with agency policy, TDFPS Minimum Standards and ORR Policy.

Position Responsibilities: 

• *Maintaining positive, supportive and professional relationships with UAC and program staff; 
• *Elevating concerns or issues related to UAC, program staff, work and living environment, etc. within required timeframes;
• *Completing all required documentation for UAC accurately and within required timeframes; 
• *Ensuring that the resident to staff ratio is properly maintained at all times; 
• *Utilizing positive behavior management techniques including verbal redirection, prompting, reminders, de-escalation and emergency behavior intervention; 
• *Responsible for the overall care, supervision and safety of children in care. 
• Assisting with the facilitation of educational, recreational and spiritual activities;
• Participating in daily community meetings to teach, support and guide UAC;
• Teaching practical problem-solving, time and money management, and life skills;
• Assisting with daily chores to ensure a clean and orderly environment – chores may include, but are not limited to laundry, sweeping, mopping, dishes, beds, windows, etc.;
• Cooperating with co-workers and supervisors, and providing feedback to supervisors; 
• Maintaining an ongoing dialogue with workers on other shifts about clients to promote continuity of care;
• Mentoring and assisting newly hired Youth Care Workers during the general observation training period;
• Reporting to work as scheduled and ensuring supervision of residents without interruption until relieved from duty;
• Elevating pertinent information or concerns regarding the basic health and well-being of UAC, and work/living environment;
• Ensuring special supervision and safety plan measures are adhered to at all times;
• Facilitating and monitoring intakes/admissions;
• Modeling professional conduct and demonstrating adequate skills, abilities and judgement, especially during volatile situations;
• Coordinating and/or assisting in the facilitation of off-campus activities;
• Provide guidance and direction to UAC in an array of areas to include: social skills, emotion regulation, academics, problem solving, personal hygiene, and life skill development;
• Ensuring adherence to medication administration procedures;
• Coordinating and/or providing transportation of UAC using agency vehicles;
• Completing routine inspections of facilities used by UAC, elevating maintenance needs and or concerns;
• Demonstrating proficiency in knowledge of agency policy, TDFPS Minimum Standards and ORR Policy;
• Actively participating in the enhancement and/or improvement of the living and working environment for residents and employees; 
• Attending administrative staff meetings, staff retreats, and other team building activities; 
• Demonstrating knowledge and sensitivity of cultural norms, values and heritage; 
• Attendance and successful completion of a 10- day New Employee Orientation is mandated for the position. The inability to meet this requirement will conclude employment with the Agency;
• Must complete all required professional development assigned in a timely manner
• Must be sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics;
• Adhering to safety training and protocols on a daily basis, and taking precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of self and others; 
• Responsible for protecting the confidentiality of any information or material obtained in the service with the organization to include but not limited to client names and information, services rendered to clients, donors’ names and gifts, internal and external investigations or results of any investigations, and financial information; 
• Adherence to the Code of Conduct and the Faith and Morals Policy is mandatory; 
• Every employee is required to take a solution-oriented approach in their interactions and undertakings, as well as being a team member that promotes collaboration and commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization;
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director. 

Competencies: 

Adaptability

Advocacy

Teamwork

Communication

De-escalation   

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences, human services or social service fields; or 
  • Minimum high school diploma or equivalent plus one year of employment experience working in the child welfare field with children and/or adolescents in a social service setting.
• Experience
  • Experience working with children in a residential setting is preferred.
• License and Credentials
  • Reliable transportation;
  • Valid driver license; 
  • Valid vehicle insurance.

Able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children;

• Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart) OR born in the United States before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness) OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
• MMR: two doses of MMR vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart) OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases
• DTaP or DTap: Complete primary vaccination series. If primary vaccination series completed in childhood, one DTaP dose in adulthood.
• Influenza: one dose annually during flu season. 

 Minimum Qualifications: 

• Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as policy and procedures and program standards;
• Must be able to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before individuals and groups; 
• *Bilingual: Fluent in English/Spanish with regards to reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the spoken language 
• Must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, organize and manage their responsibilities, and prioritize duties and assignments; 
• Must possess strong assessment skills and the ability to remain calm and composed in crisis situations;
• Must be detail oriented, organized, self-motivated, work well independently and on a team;
• Must have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Travel requirements:

Travel requirements for the position includes 10% local and 10% overnight.