Youth Worker - Residential Services

Department: Residential Services

County or State Funded: County

Exempt or Non-exempt: Non-exempt

Paygrade: C-108

Salary pay range: $19.80 - $24.74 hourly

Basic Function and Responsibility:

To ensure the safety and security of youth; assist in the execution of established youth treatment and service goals; and court orders.  Supervise, assist and monitor activities of youth; document behavior, actions, incidents and other information.  Execute individual components of treatment and service plans; review and execute court orders.  Travel to youth residence and other locations; transport youth; monitor visits; conduct room checks; attend meetings and training; and perform related duties.

Appointing Authority and Supervision Received: 

The deputy court administrator of family court is the appointing authority.  The youth worker receives direct supervision by the facility supervisor, program manager, unit manager or director, depending upon facility or service area assigned.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Characteristic and Assigned Duties: (The following duties are representative of the position and do not include all duties which may be performed.) 

• Directly supervise and monitor daily activities of youth, which may include school, recreation, meals, personal hygiene, sleep, work projects, and suicide watch.
• Document youth behavior, activities, rule infractions, incidents and other occurrences and information, in a narrative or report form basis.
• Consistently ensure residential facility surroundings are safe and secure for both residents and staff and take appropriate action to correct deficiencies, which includes the use of force to prevent physical injury, escape or property destruction.
• Help youth respond constructively to treatment and service, and assist in development and stabilization of personal and social adjustment skills which may involve anger control, positive peer and family interaction, personal hygiene, grooming and implementing discipline.
• Counsel with youth on an individual and group basis regarding problems and approaches relative to personal and social adjustment skills.
• Provide written and oral input regarding youth progress, behavior, rule infractions and skills.
• Perform related work as required to include but not limited to serve on teams, committees as assigned, cross-train for other jobs as assigned, and work on special projects as assigned.
• Provide guidance and assistance to youth in daily activities in order to develop and improve coping and competency skills and effectively modify attitude and behavior patterns.
• Work with community resources to identify and implement youth work programs and projects, which may involve participation.
• Perform body searches of youth, hand-out medication and mediate disagreements between youth.
• Work schedule assignments necessary to meet the court's obligation to provide for the needs of juvenile residents, including mandatory overtime as required and perform related work as required.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of individual treatment plan.
• Transport youth and make home, school and other field visits in personal or court vehicle.
• Attend work related meetings and training; may install and detach electronic surveillance equipment at youth’s residence; may monitor youth’s activities through surveillance equipment or phone calls to home, school, etc.
• Conduct residential facility room checks and monitor behavior of youth to prevent disturbances or escapes, and search facility and grounds for missing youth.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (This job description does not include specific physical requirements necessary to perform the job, such as, carrying, standing and lifting. Such requirements vary from position to position and may be determined by the appointing authority.)

• Ability to operate motor vehicle including court vans in a safe and prudent manner.
• Ability to supervise, motivate, and discipline youth with behavioral problems.
• Ability to remain calm and in control in emergency or stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare clear, complete and logical reports.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to restrain youth in a physical confrontation.
• Ability to work and relate in a positive fashion toward individuals from diverse backgrounds and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to project a positive role model.
• Ability to install/detach surveillance equipment, using a variety of small hand tools.

Minimum Qualifications: (Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis, provided a high school diploma or GED has been obtained.)

High School diploma or equivalent plus one year of work experience, not necessarily related.

Necessary Special Requirement: 

Minimum age requirement is 25 years old.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license from state of residence, and provide proof of such.

Must possess and maintain state mandated auto liability insurance and properly licensed/reliable vehicle, and provide proof of such.

Must be able to successfully pass physical exam/physical abilities performance test.

All candidates selected for employment will be subject to background screenings as part of the hiring process.  Certain positions may also require additional checks, including but not limited to education verification, child abuse and neglect clearances, drug screenings, and physical assessments, as applicable to the responsibilities of the role. 

Due to the Court’s obligation to provide supervision for youth within its facilities seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, and to assure an appropriate staff-to-youth ratio, youth worker positions are considered by nature shift work and work hours and days off will be assigned by the hiring manager. the ability to work different shifts and different days, as well as mandatory overtime is considered an essential job function and fundamental to the work of a youth worker. Work days and hours and location assignments are neither permanent nor guaranteed. Employees may be reassigned to a different shift, work day, schedule, facility, department or job in the interest of safety and security of the youth and staff within a facility or to better meet the needs of the department or organization as a whole. Management may make changes to the organizational structure as needed, including but not limited to the reassignment of employees and positions, elimination of positions and opening, moving, or closing facilities and units.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER