Senior Youth Worker - Shelter
About The Position
The Senior Youth Worker oversees daily programming and staffing for the emergency shelter program serving at-risk youth. The role provides hands-on administration and supervision of 20–25 residential service staff who deliver residential support and direct care to approximately 500 youth annually, with a maximum of 20 youth at one time. Youth may be placed in emergency shelter care by themselves, their parents or guardians, or child welfare agencies. Reporting directly to the Residential Services Director, the Senior Youth Worker works with the staff leadership team to plan, coordinate, and supervise daily shelter programming in compliance with state licensing regulations and federal grant requirements. The position also supports a trauma-informed environment and oversees program operations, staff development, compliance, and aspects of youth care.
Requirements
- Education and experience may be met through a bachelor’s degree; two years of college plus two years of experience working with youth; or five years of experience working with youth. Experience may substitute for education.
- Four years of experience working in youth programming serving at-risk youth and families.
- Highly developed at-risk youth programming skills and managerial and supervisory skills.
- Substantial knowledge of and experience working with alienated youth, family systems, staff development, and organizational growth and change.
- Understanding of adolescent development and its characteristic behaviors and issues.
- Understanding of family and group processes and dynamics.
- Understanding of the needs and concerns of youth and adults from varied ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Nice To Haves
- One year of supervisory or management experience is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Orient and train new Youth Worker staff.
- Supervise 20–25 direct-care staff through ongoing training, consultation, and feedback.
- Assist with developing and delivering Youth Worker staff development plans and evaluations.
- Prepare work schedules for Youth Worker staff.
- Develop the daily program schedule and coordinate shelter services, including activities, community service projects, and special events.
- Create and support a trauma-informed environment responsive to individual needs.
- Develop a Life Skills training program for youth in collaboration with the other Senior Youth Worker.
- Maintain program compliance records.
- Co-develop annual training for Youth Workers and volunteers, including agency orientation and monthly staff meetings.
- Participate in weekly case reviews as the Shelter’s milieu representative.
- Oversee and ensure daily cleanliness of the shelter.
- Monitor and approve purchases for youth activities, hygiene supplies, Life Skills supplies, and office supplies, as directed and approved by management.
- Oversee medication distribution for youth participating in the Shelter program.
- Oversee implementation of direct-service policies and procedures for Residential Services and recommend revisions to the Residential Services Director.
- Assist with monthly billing, statistical reporting, and grant or funding proposals for new and existing programs, as directed by management.
- Serve as the intake and discharge gatekeeper when Case Management staff are absent.
- Share on-call responsibilities for Shelter staffing.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
High school or GED
