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. This position requires empathy, professionalism, and strong communication skills to support youth in care.

Responsibilities

• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, ensuring 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 intervention and participation in physical restraints during emergencies or altercations.
• Supervise youth during work activities, recreational, and religious activities; conduct inspections for health and safety hazards.
• Assist youth with personal issues and refer them to the group 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 and model respectful, 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 during evening, overnight, or daytime hours as assigned; attend mandatory meetings and respond to facility emergencies.
• Report all hours worked and absences accurately; log work time daily and submit timesheets as directed.
• 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 response.

Requirements

• Sixty or more earned credit hours from an accredited college or university, with a minimum of six credit hours in 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 per year, up to three years).
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

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

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior, 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 and foster cooperation in the treatment process.
• Ability to physically respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies.
• Ability to learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures.
• Ability to transport youth and travel as necessary.

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

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid holidays and cafeteria plans.
• Defined pension plan and generous leave and holiday time.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package, including retirement and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Total compensation includes more than just the paycheck; explore additional benefits using the Total Compensation Calculator.