Youth Services Worker

About the role

Working with the Division of Youth Services involves creating a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in day treatment and residential programs. You will collaborate with staff to provide treatment services, ensure safety and security, and facilitate programming for youth in care.

Responsibilities

• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, overseeing their personal conduct, care, and therapy.
• Monitor activity, behavior, and movement of youth within residential/day treatment settings or while escorting them off grounds; perform physical counts as necessary.
• Maintain security, including intervening in or participating in physical restraints during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain control.
• Supervise youth during work activities, recreational and religious activities, and conduct health and safety inspections.
• Assist youth with personal issues and refer them to group discussions in accordance with program principles.
• Observe and report significant behavioral conditions of individuals or groups to staff daily.
• Implement group and individual treatment plans.
• Maintain professional boundaries, modeling respectful and professional behavior at all times.
• Interact positively with youth, families, co-workers, management, and the public.
• Prepare reports on each client’s adjustment and progress; maintain youth records.
• Dispense medications to youth and intervene in medical emergencies, including performing first-aid and CPR.
• Transport and escort youth in everyday and emergency situations.
• Work shifts, including evenings, overnights, or daytime hours, and attend mandatory meetings; respond to facility emergencies.
• Report work hours and absences accurately and submit timesheets as directed.
• Log work time daily in accordance with policy.
• Assist in the educational program as needed.
• Perform other assigned tasks.

Awareness Supervision is defined as the ability to see, be seen by, hear, and be heard by youth at all times to enable swift, appropriate responses.

Requirements

• Sixty or more earned credit hours from an accredited college or university, with a minimum of six credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work.
• OR 2-4 years of relevant experience. (Earned credit hours may substitute for experience at a rate of 30 credit hours for one year, up to a maximum of three years.)
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work with youth and family members, fostering cooperation in the treatment process.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior, child development, and the role of the family.
• Knowledge of the causes of juvenile delinquency and current youth treatment methods.
• Ability to physically respond appropriately to emergencies and learn crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to transport youth and travel as necessary.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid holidays and cafeteria plans.
• Retirement plan (defined pension).
• Generous leave and holiday time.

Some positions working qualifying evening or night shifts in residential facilities receive a $2.00 per hour shift differential.

Pay

The current rate for this position is $1,770.90 - $1,953.62 semi-monthly. Selected individuals may receive a higher rate based on pay differentials (e.g., shift or time-of-service pay).