Youth Care Worker

Description

Job Overview: The Youth Care Worker will help youth, ages 12-17, who are experiencing homelessness, feel safe and secure while within the Youth Shelter.  They will directly supervise and monitor the daily activities of youth and interact with them while providing a safe structured environment.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Models positive and healthy relationship building by treating all participants, staff and volunteers equitably with caring, kindness, respect, safety and dignity
• Directly supervise and monitor daily activities of youth; interact with youth while providing a safe structured environment.
• Document all significant events/encounters including observed behavior, all telephone contacts, all visits by family, friends, and other agency representatives, medication(s) administered, performance of assigned chores, rule infractions and other required information.
• The administrator approved medications according to the guidelines of the Missouri Child Care Association.
• Interact with youth in an effective, healthy and professional manner to implement daily program activities and to ensure positive peer interactions.
• Complete the required daily unit reports (staff communication log, staff progress notes, etc.)
• Answer telephone and crisis line calls.  Complete intake and discharge procedures.
• Participate in staff meetings, community networking opportunities, and the required 40 hours of training annually.
• Lead youth in pre-approved group activities and outings.
• Conduct periodic room checks.
• Works with coworkers, supervisors and staff from other departments to solve problems and to improve processes
• Other duties as assigned
• Bending, stooping, walking, standing, sitting and reaching is required.  The team member must be able to lift 25 lbs.
• Be able to travel between locations for meetings and training throughout the local community
• Full time team members will be part of an on-call rotation
• May help with transportation to activities or obligations outside of the shelter.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Two years of verifiable work experience in a related field; or two years college and verifiable work experience. Working with diverse and underserved populations preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a culturally and socioeconomically diverse population of participants, service providers and staff
• Values diversity and possesses an understanding of multicultural and cultural competencies; understands power, privilege and inequity
• Adapts to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities; responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives
• Demonstrates responsible personal and professional conduct; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work
• Applies effective written and verbal communication techniques to convey clear and timely expectations, listens to people’s ideas and concerns, resolves confrontations, disagreements and complaints in a constructive manner
•  Ability to exercise independent judgment, using analysis, experience and perspective in solving problems or communicating decisions or actions
• Effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively to garner trust, respect and confidence from others
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• A collaborative team member who is also a strong leader with well-developed organizational and time management skills
• Ability to develop effective working relationships; works cooperatively, exchanges ideas and addresses issues in a constructive manner
• MS Office experience, especially Outlook
• Must pass criminal records check and pre-employment drug screening
• Must have a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance