Youth Care Worker - Emergency Shelter (Full Time Overnights)

LifeWorks Austin•Austin, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

LifeWorks is seeking an overnight Youth Care Worker for their emergency shelter, a full-time, non-exempt position. This role involves providing care and services to youth aged 16-20 residing in a 24-hour licensed residential facility. The Youth Care Worker is responsible for supervising clients, ensuring their safety, and upholding the organization's core values and mission. This includes maintaining the safety and compliance of the facility, mentoring youth, supervising their activities, transporting them, and meeting their basic needs to support their development, self-sufficiency, and goals. The specific shift for this position is 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, Monday night through Saturday morning.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent; and
Requires 1 year of related experience; or
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Requires a valid Texas driver's license.

Responsibilities

Interacts consistently with clients using LifeWorks client-focused and strengths-based approaches; supports day-to-day activities of youth and relates to clients as they move toward their individual goals.
Assists clients with day-to-day needs including assistance with case management, school activities, job search activities, transportation, cleaning activities, meal preparation, and administration of daily medications.
Coordinates and helps with transportation for clients to a variety of outings including staff-led community-based activities, client appointments, job interviews, emergency room visits, etc.
Engages in conversations with youth regarding topics such as race, identity proclamation and exploration, substance use, mental health, healthy boundaries and habits, and self-sufficiency while maintaining professional boundaries and client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
Supports youth with positive coping methods while encouraging healing from trauma through a healing centered approach.
Manages emotions and performs in high pressure and/or crisis situations with calm, care, and unconditional positive regard for youth.
Manages emotional, physical, and verbally escalated situations by applying approved behavior modification technique to de-escalate youth back to normalcy, as well as physical restraints utilizing “Handle with Care” techniques when necessary.
Follows DFPS Minimum Standards for documentation of incidents and implementation of safety plans in coordination with team members and case managers.
Coordinates and completes Intake and discharge of client services, including consent for services and risk assessment for supervision guidelines.
Completes Initial Orientation, including explanation of services, client rights and responsibilities, policies and guidelines.
Follows health and safety guidelines per DFPS minimum standards and LifeWorks safety planning.
Completes regular perimeter walks, room checks, facility/room searches, and ongoing visual checks of facility.
Documents and maintains daily written records of client whereabouts and incidents and communicates information with team members while maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
Documents and maintains written records of client behavior, client progress, activity engagement, school attendance, medications and incidents through daily notes, logs and incident reports while maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
Communicates effectively with team members and client support team while maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
Conducts drills in accordance with Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning.
Maintains cleanliness within licensing standards including cleaning in common areas, offices and kitchen.
Engages in and completes all required trainings, meetings and professional development plans, including monthly supervision with supervisor.