Youth Care Worker-Supervisor

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

The Youth Care Worker-Supervisor provides direct daily care to youth at the facility and supervises staff. Through daily interaction and guidance, the position is expected to exert a positive influence on detained youth and staff. The supervisor oversees Youth Care Workers on shift, helps ensure the facility’s mission is met, and completes performance evaluations for assigned employees. The position reports to the facility’s Director. The role includes maintaining facility safety, supporting youth’s basic needs, guiding youth and staff, and responding to behavioral or medical needs. The work may involve physically managing youth to prevent injury, transporting youth to medical appointments, and dispensing medication or providing first aid as needed. The position may require weekend, holiday, and flexible-shift availability. The role involves walking approximately 40% of the time and sitting approximately 60% of the time. It may include occasional pushing and pulling of up to 150 pounds and potential exposure to Hepatitis B. Training and voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination are provided.

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
At least 60 college credits.
Knowledge of juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
Knowledge of basic institutional housekeeping and behaviors associated with detained youth.
Experience working with juveniles.
Good organizational skills; dependability and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Cultural competence and ability to work in a diverse environment.
Proficiency using a personal computer and common word-processing, data-entry, and email software.
Ability to speak and write legibly and articulately.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor under stressful situations.
Ability to interact positively with youth and perform multiple duties in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle confidential information professionally and produce high volumes of work with minimal errors.
Clean criminal record, FBI clearance, and child abuse record.
Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy.
Ability to physically manage youth ages ten to eighteen when they display physical aggression or self-harming behaviors, as needed to prevent injury.
Ability to occasionally push and pull up to 150 pounds.

Responsibilities

Observe and document the behavior of youth and staff.
Prevent physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of detained youth.
Explain and reinforce facility rules with detained youth.
Explain and enforce facility policies and procedures with staff.
Oversee preparation and delivery of services related to basic human needs.
Interact with and guide detained youth regarding individual and group behaviors.
Interact with and guide staff regarding work-related issues.
Enforce security procedures to ensure community safety.
Lead employee-based decision-making efforts as a team leader.
Transport detained youth to medical appointments.
Physically manage detained youth as needed to prevent injury.
Dispense medication and provide first aid to detained youth as needed.
Supervise, evaluate, and discipline employees as needed or directed.
Complete performance evaluations for assigned Youth Care Workers.