Youth Care Worker - Cook

Hoyleton Youth and Family Services•Salem, IL

60d

About The Position

The Youth Care Worker-Residential Cook prepares meals and snacks for assigned cottages and assists other cottage staff in supervising and supporting residents. Under the guidance of an assigned supervisor, the role delivers structured daily therapeutic programming and engages youth in therapeutic interactions and skill-building activities, documenting interactions in accordance with Medicaid Rule 140. Using Hoyleton’s CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), the worker builds developmental relationships, promotes youth growth, and helps maintain a safe, supportive, positive therapeutic environment. The role combines food service and kitchen operations with youth supervision and therapeutic support. The worker prepares meals according to provided menus and applicable health and food-service standards, plans and orders food and supplies, maintains proper food storage and kitchen sanitation, and may prepare meals for holidays and special events. The worker also supports youth in learning cooking and cleaning skills, responds to behavioral issues, participates in crisis prevention and response, and completes required documentation, supervision, meetings, and training. This position operates in a residential and community-based environment and may involve travel to agency sites, client locations, and partner organizations. The work may include walking, standing, client restraints, sitting, climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, lifting or moving up to 50 pounds, and typical kitchen tasks. Some exposure to noise, dust, or changing indoor and outdoor temperatures may occur.

Requirements

Possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire, a Food Service Sanitation Certification through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Have basic first-aid skills and the ability to identify medical needs.
Be able to learn the CARE practice model and implement daily programming consistent with CARE principles.
Be able to learn the TCI curriculum, pass written and physical restraint tests, remain current with required refresher training, and conduct TCI techniques faithfully to the model.
Complete CARE training and certification and maintain annual TCI recertification.
Remain awake and alert throughout scheduled shifts to ensure client safety and meet DCFS supervision requirements.
Enjoy actively engaging youth and demonstrate emotional maturity, patience, and empathy.
Have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive, supportive relationships with youth.
Meet all DCFS/CANTS clearance requirements.
Be at least 21 years of age.
Possess and maintain a valid Illinois driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
Have a high school diploma or GED.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in Human Services and related experience.
Experience in food preparation or institutional cooking.

Responsibilities

Prepare nutritious and attractive meals and snacks according to provided menus, state health standards, food-service regulations, ISBE standards, and supervisory directives.
Plan and order food and related supplies, including planning menus for evening and weekend meals prepared by staff on duty.
Prepare special meals for holidays and other events.
Store food properly and dispose of unused food when expired or otherwise appropriate.
Maintain kitchen cleanliness and sanitation in compliance with local health department regulations.
Guide and oversee cottage residents as they develop cooking and cleaning skills appropriate to their capacity.
Respond to behavioral issues and participate in client restraint when required.
Maintain accurate and timely records in accordance with agency policies and state regulatory requirements.
Engage youth in daily therapeutic activities that develop social, emotional, and other life skills, consistent with individualized treatment goals and CARE principles.
Promote the safety and well-being of youth, co-workers, and self by building positive relationships, understanding youth trauma histories and triggers, anticipating crises, and using TCI de-escalation techniques.
Implement TCI-compliant manual restraint when youth or staff face immediate serious risk of harm and support relationship repair through TCI Life Space Interviews after crises.
Document Medicaid-compliant therapeutic interventions to complete daily hours of care.
Participate with the supervisor and youth in planning activity schedules for each shift.
Participate in weekly individual and/or group supervision and reflective practice.
Attend clinical staffings, cottage meetings, and other required agency meetings, and complete initial and ongoing agency training.
During overnight shifts, conduct bed checks of each youth every 15 minutes and therapeutically engage youth who have difficulty with bedtime or sleeping.
Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisory and administrative staff.

Benefits

Medical insurance with a company-funded Health Savings Account (HSA).
Dental and vision insurance.
Paid vacation, sick, and personal days.
10 company holidays and 1 floating holiday.
Monthly cell phone reimbursement.
6 weeks of paid parental leave.
403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Optional supplemental benefits, including voluntary life, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their household members.
Tuition reimbursement.
BenefitHub Perks Program offering employee discounts.