Youth Care Worker - Los Fresnos

The Youth Care Worker (YCW) is responsible for providing direct care supervision for youth residing in Southwest Key Programs (SWK) care fostering an environment that facilitates learning and behavioral management in a supportive manner. The Youth Care Worker will maintain a flexible, organized, and efficient work schedule.

• Conduct intake services to include but not limited to: completing necessary paperwork, providing youth with an overview of the program services and for initial placements of youth in to the shelter.
• Provide basic needs to youth upon arrival to the program (to include but not limited to: meal, clothing, hygiene products, shower and bedroom assignment).
• Must provide Direct Care Services to youth to ensure that ratios and appropriate supervision levels are continuously met as per state and federal requirements.
• Develop positive rapport with youth while serving as a role model to create a safe and caring environment.
• Must ensure all forms and clients' services are properly completed in SWK’s web-based program (ETO) to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of special educational events (to include but not limited to: spelling bee, science fair), acculturation activities (Cesar Chavez Day, Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year, Holi-Festival of Colors, 16th of September), educational (to include but not limited to: visits to museums) and recreational outings (to include but not limited to: movies, park, amusement parks), assist in the coordination of student council activities and other meaningful experiences for SWK youth which promotes volunteerism and learning.
• Provide vocational courses and curriculum in a subject area approved by the program director or designees that introduces youth to career choices.
• Assist with the coordination of Physical Education instruction and other large muscle activities in coordination with the Program Director or designee as required by state and federal requirements.
• Must assist in the evacuation of youth as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences.
• Observe, report and document identified behavior patterns and required information that merit documentation such as: Elevated supervision forms, close observations, food logs, sleep logs and bed check logs.
• May be asked to provide personal care services to infants and toddlers in a childcare setting. Perform a variety of tasks to include but not limited to:  dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing toddler’s play.  (Only for region programs with children from 0-17 years of age and certified personal care staff only)
• Other duties as assigned.

• Attend all organizational required trainings.
• Attend trainings that will enhance professional growth in the area of Education, Vocational curriculum and instruction, other topics as deemed appropriate by the program director or designee.
• Attend departmental and program meetings to ensure that up-to-date information is received and/or information of policy changes or practice are adhered to.
• In the absence of a shift leader, may be asked to serve as the interim shift leader and be responsible for overseeing program operations within their shift with pre-approval by the program director.
• Be able to assist in the distribution of medications to youth as prescribed by Medical Provider.
• Serve as a Substitute Teacher in the absence of the Teacher in a classroom setting.
• Must assist in the evacuation of youth as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences.
• Travel as needed for trainings, conferences or to transport youth to destinations located within the U.S.
• Attend Treatment Team Meetings to convey youth’s progress to all disciplines present.
• Maintain a safe, clean and hazard-free facility. Tasks include regular maintenance and general cleaning of common areas including restrooms and kitchen, rotation of laundry (linen, towels and clothes) duty, and general maintenance of outdoor areas (to include but not limited to: backyard, playground, and parking lot).
• Able to react to change productively and handle other essential tasks as assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with youth through paid positions for twelve (12) consecutive months.
• Must be computer literate.
• Must be able to maintain a flexible work schedule.
• Clean criminal background check from appropriate entity.
• Cleared Tuberculosis test results.
• Cleared drug test results (this one is for Texas programs only).
• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.

Preferred

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Food Handler's Card (May be required for those Programs in which Youth Care Worker Staff Provide Meal Preparation and/or Meal Serving for Children in Care)

Must be able to obtain Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification and First Aid Certification (CPR). Must be able to supervise clients indoors and outdoors throughout the entire duration of their shift period, which lasts 8 hours or more on a typical shift. Must be able to stand, bend, or stoop for the entire duration of the shift, as necessary. Must be prepared and physically able to respond with appropriate protocol in a variety of dynamic supervision situations with clients of 0-17 years in age. In a sudden or emergency event, staff must be at all times physically able to run, jump, lunge, twist, push, pull, apply SWK-approved Physical Intervention techniques and otherwise manage or coerce the full weight of an adolescent. All staff must be physically and mentally able to manage youth who become uncooperative, sick, violent, or display any other form of harmful or threatening behavior. Must be prepared to administer emergency First Aid, CPR or CPI techniques to clients, regardless of the time of day or hour of the staff’s shift, the size of the client, or the staff’s level of personal fatigue. Staff must be able to maintain clarity of thought throughout the entirety of a shift and be able to respond quickly to duress or circumstances requiring immediate action.

This is a twenty-four hour residential facility at which minors receive multiple services. There are three shifts per twenty-four hour period. Hours and duties of work shifts are subject to change. The noise levels varies from mild to moderate. Employees and clients may be exposed to prevalent weather conditions. Position is required to eat client meals during shift with the clients.