Child Care Worker - Youth Care

At VisionQuest (VQ), we serve children, youth, and families during some of the most critical moments of their lives. Our teams help young people overcome challenges, build resilience, and move toward brighter futures. VQ is a national child, youth, and family services organization providing residential programming, community-based services, and in-home support across the United States. We partner with state and federal agencies to deliver services where the need is greatest and to strengthen the communities we serve.

About the role

The Child Care Worker (CCW) provides direct care supervision for children placed in a VQ residential setting. This role is responsible for fostering a safe environment that facilitates learning and behavioral management in a supportive manner in accordance with VQ, local state, and federal policies and procedures. Both day and night shifts are available.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision of children in care and maintain line of sight at all times.
• Provide oversight during recreation, mealtime, leisure time, and play.
• Develop positive rapport with youth while serving as a role model to create a safe and caring environment utilizing a trauma-informed approach.
• Teach, coach, and supervise children in activities of daily living including morning, bedtime, and overnight procedures, hygiene and cleanliness, housekeeping, meals, intramurals, sports, academics, and extracurricular activities both on and off facility.
• Interact with children including playing games or during recreational time.
• Conduct orientation and overview of program services and program rules.
• Provide essential needs to children such as clothing, hygiene products, shower, bedroom assignments, and cooking meals when needed.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of special educational events, acculturation activities, holiday celebrations, recreational outings, and school drop off/pick-ups.
• Assist with children's appointments including but not limited to legal, medical, and dental.
• Administer over-the-counter and prescribed medications.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and hazard-free facility by maintaining clean common areas, restrooms, kitchen, laundry, and outdoor areas. Responsible for reporting all maintenance and supply needs.
• Assist in the evacuation of children as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences.
• Responsible for the documentation of the child's progress, behavior, and health while in care. Observe, report, and document identified behavior patterns and required information such as progress notes, close observation, nightwatch checklist, bed check logs, outing logs, incident reports, etc.
• Assist with providing training to new hires regarding role responsibilities within VisionQuest.
• Participate in departmental, all-staff, mandatory, and needed training opportunities.
• Follow Occupational Health and Safety protocols.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor(s).

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent degree.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Flexible schedule (evening, weekends, holidays) to facilitate program services.
• Cleared tuberculosis test results.
• May be required to pass a drug test.
• Cleared background checks from appropriate entities, including Child Abuse and Neglect and FBI criminal background.
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be eligible to drive to facilitate program services as required.
• Must become a Certified Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner within 180 days of employment.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and understanding of all children served.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
• Ability to assist with emergency situations.
• Demonstrate and maintain emotional intelligence for effective self-care and as a role model for the Child Care Worker team.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with peers, colleagues, and others to achieve mission goals and objectives.

Working Conditions

• May lift and carry up to 10 pounds frequently, up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 50 pounds infrequently.
• Performs tasks that may involve standing or walking 50% of the day; sitting 50% of the day.
• May bend, stoop, reach, and grasp as necessary.
• Must be able to provide First Aid and CPR.
• Must be able to perform physical holds as instructed in Crisis Prevention Intervention training (CPI).

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-paid Life and Short-Term Disability
• 401(k) with employer match

Why build your career at VQ?

• Purpose-driven work: Every role contributes to helping children and families succeed.
• Fair and responsible compensation: Commitment to transparent and equitable pay practices.
• Career growth opportunities: Internal promotions and leadership development pathways.
• Professional leadership culture: Accountable, supportive leadership focused on long-term success.

Pay

$18 per hour