What are the responsibilities and job description for the Substitute Youth Care Worker position at Prairie Lakes Youth Programs?
BACKGROUND:
Prairie Lakes Youth Programs (PLYP) is located in Willmar, Minnesota and is a children’s residential facility licensed by the Department of Corrections for males and females ages 10-21. Our programs include a juvenile detention center, juvenile residential corrections program, non-secure program, boys group home, and girls group home.
In our children’s residential facility, we meet our youth where they are at- supporting through individualization with our continuum of services. We provide a therapeutic and cultural approach with art, gardening, pet therapy, substance use disorder treatment, cultural & diverse connections, spiritual resources, and more- all while healing trauma with safety and security. At PLYP, we have ignited youth dignity since 1991.
JOB SUMMARY:
In this residential work, our Substitute Youth Care Workers (YCW) work in a children’s residential facility, our non-secure and group home houses. Our Substitute YCWs help youth, making a difference in their lives through providing the daily general supervision of youth and interact with youth, with the goal of creating and maintaining a positive and therapeutic environment. The Substitute YCW will support the youth’s behavioral plans to develop healthy options for the youth as well as providing support and encouragement for positive group activities, teaching independent living skills, assisting in any other individualized or group programming for the youth, and perform other related duties as assigned. Substitute YCWs are requested to work shifts to assist with covering shift openings due to time off requests, short notice time off needs, pre-planned vacation requests, and for additional staff support.
The Substitute YCW ensures PLYP continues to work with an above-and-beyond approach in all that we do with dignity, ensuring compliance and best practices within our specified targeted youth population and guiding our youth within our trauma-minded, culturally sensitive, and department of corrections programs. These duties will be completed as a part of our team through supporting youth.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Role model, recommend, and teach conflict resolution techniques, assertiveness skills, anger resolution techniques, personal relationships, communication skills, and problem-solving skills
- Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, process, identify, and resolve conflicts
- Facilitate daily cognitive skills groups and relaxation skills
- Facilitate recreational and leisure activities
- Assist new employees with on-the-job training
- Provides overall well-being support and supervision to youth
- Support youth with emotional, behavioral and other needs throughout shift
- Complete program and behavioral documentation
- Complete medication training and dispense medications per policy
- Assists with laundry, clerical, and cleaning tasks
- Ensure client confidentiality per policy
- Follows all applicable regulations and standards in accordance with 2960
- Conduct self in a courteous, tactful, and professional manner
- Assume the responsibility of being a mandated reporter by Minnesota State Law
- Ensure youth observe all appointments, therapies, meetings, community service, and other scheduled activities and transport as needed
- Inspects living spaces to locate contraband and report on conditions affecting the health and safety of the youth
- Other job duties as assigned
WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Work is performed in and around a Department of Corrections children’s residential facility
- Subject to standing, bending, walking, reaching, kneeling, crouching
- Ability to walk up and down stairs
- Lifting objects, at times over 50 pounds
- Ability to learn and use de-escalation and proper procedures (Controlled Force MACH)
- Potential to work with non-compliant youth
- As a correctional facility we operate 365 days, 24/7, you will be required to work a rotation of weekends and holidays
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
- Ability to remain positive during times of adversity and difficult situations
- Remain calm in high stress situations
- Outstanding time management
- Coordinate and implement multiple concurrent tasks
- Ability to work under pressure with constant interruptions
- Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and honesty
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal
- Dependable and committed to getting the job done
- Willingness to work other assigned shifts and overtime when needed
- Proficient with Microsoft suites, strong typing and documenting skills
- Case management
- Rule 2960 understanding
- Safety and security mindset
- Defensive Tactics
- First Aid and CPR
- Perform all work in a culturally responsive manner consistent with PLYP’s way of belongingness and inclusivity
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
- At least 21 years of age at the time of employment start
- Successfully complete required background check
- Successfully complete annual Mantoux testing
- Must have a valid Minnesota driver’s license
BENEFITS:
- PERA Corrections Pension
- ESST
- Employee Assistance Program
- Annual allowance for PLYP clothing
CHANGES TO THIS JOB DESCRIPTION:
The job description, responsibilities and duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by employees within this job classification, only a representative summary of the primary responsibilities and duties; and is subject to change following notification to employees
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $21.50 - $25.58 per hour
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Willmar, MN 56201: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $22 - $26
