Youth Care Worker

RESTART INC•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Youth Care Worker plays a critical role in supporting youth ages 12–17 experiencing homelessness by creating a safe, structured, and supportive environment within the Youth Emergency Shelter. This position directly supervises daily activities, provides positive engagement, and ensures the physical and emotional well-being of youth participants. Through consistent monitoring, documentation, and interaction, the Youth Care Worker helps foster stability, trust, and opportunities for healthy development.

Requirements

Two years of verifiable work experience in a related field, or two years of college with relevant work experience required.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Must pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.
Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and reliable transportation required.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with youth, service providers, and team members from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Knowledge of multicultural and cultural competencies, with understanding of power, privilege, and inequity.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to resolve conflicts constructively.
Ability to work independently with a supervision ratio of 1:10.
Effective crisis management and decision-making skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills in fast-paced environments.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with diverse and underserved populations preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise and monitor the daily activities of youth participants, ensuring a safe and structured environment.
Interact with youth in a supportive, trauma-informed, and professional manner that encourages positive peer interactions.
Lead youth in pre-approved group activities, outings, and recreational programming.
Conduct periodic room checks to ensure safety and compliance with shelter guidelines.
Accurately document all significant events, including behavior observations, phone contacts, visits from family/agency representatives, medication administration, chore completion, rule infractions, and other required details.
Complete required daily reports such as communication logs, progress notes, and unit reports.
Assist with intake and discharge procedures, ensuring proper documentation and orientation for youth participants.
Administer medications as approved by shelter administration in accordance with Missouri Child Care Association guidelines.
Promote safe, sanitary, and respectful practices within the shelter.
Model positive and healthy relationship building by treating all participants, team members, and volunteers with dignity, kindness, respect, and equity.
Answer shelter telephones and crisis line calls with professionalism and care.
Collaborate with coworkers, supervisors, and other departments to address challenges and improve processes.
Participate in staff meetings, training sessions (minimum of 40 hours annually), and community networking opportunities.
Assist with transportation needs for youth participants (school, activities, or obligations).
Support shelter operations as part of an on-call rotation for full-time team members.
Perform physical tasks including bending, stooping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
Other duties as assigned.