Youth Services Worker

About the role

Working with the Division of Youth Services is more than it seems. You will be working with staff to create a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in our day treatment and residential programs.

Requirements

To succeed in this position you will need to be empathetic, nonjudgmental, cooperative, encouraging, able-bodied, professional, and respectful; you must be able to communicate clearly, honestly and openly.

Responsibilities

• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, with responsibility for their personal conduct, care, and therapy.
• Monitor activity, behavior, and movement of youth both within a residential/day treatment setting or while escorting youth off grounds; performing physical counts as necessary.
• Maintain security, including intervention and/or participate fully in physical restraints of youth during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain physical control of youth.
• Supervise youth in residential/day treatment facilities in the performance of work activities and during recreational and religious activities; conducts inspections for health and safety hazards.
• Assist youth with their personal issues and refer issues to the group in accordance with the principles of the program.
• Observe and keep staff informed daily of significant behavioral conditions known about an individual and/or the group.
• Implement group and individual treatment plans.
• Maintain professional boundaries, modeling a reasonable, respectful, and professional demeanor at all times.
• Interact positively with youth, families, co-workers, management, and the public.
• Prepare reports regarding each client's adjustment and progress; maintain youth records.
• Dispense medications to youth.
• Intervene in youth medical emergencies defined as the ability to perform first-aid interventions for youth including, but not limited to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Transport and escort youth in everyday and emergency situations.
• Work on shifts and attend mandatory meetings during the evening, overnight, or daytime hours as assigned by the supervisor and respond to facility emergencies.
• Report all hours worked and absences accurately and in accordance with attendance policies and facility guidelines.
• Log work time daily in accordance with policy and submit timesheets to supervisor as directed.
• Employees may also assist in the educational program.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Sixty or more earned credit hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum of six earned 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 from an accredited college or university may substitute on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of three years of the required experience at a rate of 30 earned credit hours for one year.) Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant. Special Requirement: Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Skills

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of child development and the role of the family.
• Knowledge of the causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of youth treatment.
• Ability to work with youth and family members.
• Ability to foster the cooperation of youth in the treatment process.