Youth Care Worker

Holy Family Institute • Emsworth, PA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Care Worker (YCW) is responsible for the daily direct supervision and monitoring of children in care at the Journey of Hope Shelter. This role involves assisting children with schoolwork, planning and implementing activities, engaging in conversations, and intervening during crisis situations. The YCW must maintain constant line-of-sight supervision of the children while in ratio. Additionally, the position includes performing cleaning duties to ensure the cleanliness of the cottages where the children reside and assisting with food service during mealtimes. Holy Family Institute (HFI) is a 125-year-old Catholic organization with a strong history of serving children and families in the Pittsburgh Region, operating 15 programs across two counties and guided by Catholic Social Teachings while serving individuals of all faiths and backgrounds.

Requirements

• High School diploma, GED or equivalent required
• One year working with children required; residential or human services preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively and document information accurately
• Ability to deal efficiently and effectively with a wide variety of individuals.
• Ability to maintain electronic records, medical files and have basic computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must have or be able to obtain Act 33/34 and FBI clearances
• The ability to drive a car or van; must have a valid PA driver’s license
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Fluency in Spanish and English (read, write and speak) preferred

Responsibilities

• Promotes the Mission and Philosophy of Holy Family Institute
• Provides direct supervision of children in care and maintain line-of-sight at all times while in ratio
• Accompany and drives children to offsite appointments, onsite schooling, activities, and other outings as determined by the program
• Always stays in ratio while participating in 1:1 supervision of children as needed according to safety plans
• Oversee and encourage children's daily activities, helping to foster a positive and trauma-informed environment
• Completes and submits internal incident reports accurately and according to protocol within required timeframes
• Participates in mealtime prep and cleanup of the children’s meals. This may include the warming of the meals provided by kitchen staff
• Performs daily cleaning after meals and maintains general cleanliness of facilities including laundry and rotational cleaning schedule of the assigned unit
• Participates in the intake and discharge processes and ensures all documentation is completed while doing so
• Communicates appropriate information surrounding children’s behavior and acculturation to other departments in a timely and effective manner
• Assists Shift Coordinators with the training of new Youth Care Workers once they have been properly onboarded to the program
• Assist and guide residents with their personal hygiene needs and other activities of daily living through modeling, coaching and structured activities
• Models and assist in the implementation of HART and Trauma-Informed Care
• Follows treatment plans as written in each resident’s individualized service and safety plans
• Assists and promotes acculturation in a culturally sensitive way, actively working to reduce bias and promote cultural sensitivity and acculturation for the children
• Manages unanticipated events and crisis situations in a positive, constructive manner
• Utilizes effective verbal and nonverbal de-escalation techniques to help a child in a crisis, using physical interventions when necessary to manage risk behavior.
• Maintains confidentiality for clients and their records
• Maintains a pleasant, tidy, sanitary, and safe living environment for residents
• Complete required documentation in keeping with agency standards using an electronic record system
• Demonstrates accountability for orderly management and safety of the shelter daily living routines, individual youth, groups and therapeutic programs
• Supports all functions to maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies
• Adheres to all agency and departmental safety procedures including reporting any unsafe practices, equipment, and environment, and takes an active role in correcting the unsafe practice, equipment, or environment through proper notification
• Models appropriate behaviors (e.g., respect for others, appropriate dress, appropriate conflict resolution, etc.)
• Participates in all required agency and regulatory training within expected time frame
• Promptly reports civil or criminal convictions, charges, arrests, investigations, or adjudications that may arise since staff member’s last background investigation. This includes but is not limited to sexual abuse in a prison, jail, holding facility, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997), or care provider facility; conviction of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or who was civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in such activity
• Completes other duties as assigned by supervisor

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED