Youth Residential Worker

The Florence Crittenton Agency • Knoxville, TN

6d

About The Position

The Youth Residential Worker supports up to 16 at-risk youth in a structured, trauma-informed residential setting. Working alongside a shift partner and a team, the worker helps adolescents build safety, trust, confidence, and practical skills for the future. This active, relationship-centered role involves celebrating progress, encouraging healthy choices, and helping youth navigate difficult emotions and behaviors with patience, consistency, and clear boundaries.

The agency provides substantial upfront training, including Handle With Care training in approved crisis prevention and intervention techniques. New staff learn program routines, expectations, and the agency’s trauma-informed approach. On shift, workers have a staff partner, access to nursing staff on campus, and supervisory support.

Openings include full-time second shift (3:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m., including some weekends and holidays), full-time third shift (12:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m., including some weekends and holidays), and part-time second shift on Saturday and Sunday (3:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m.). A $500 sign-on bonus is paid as $250 after 60 days and $250 after 90 days.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Dependability, care for young people, good communication, teamwork, composure under pressure, and belief in young people’s capacity to grow.
• Average and above visual and auditory capabilities for supervising adolescents.
• Physical capability to meet Handle With Care restraint requirements, with no health conditions that would prevent participation in restraint requirements.
• Ability to perform CPR/First Aid processes.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods; squat, bend, and stoop; lift up to 40 pounds; and walk and/or run a quarter mile continuously and/or climb stairs as necessary.
• Ability to remain conscious and alert when scheduled for late-night or early-morning hours.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with adolescents, residential services, behavioral health, education, or human services.
• Six months to one year of experience working in a children's services program is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise youth and follow established safety procedures to create a safe, supportive environment.
• Lead and participate in groups, activities, and skill-building experiences that promote healthy relationships and personal growth.
• Teach independent living skills, including communication, problem-solving, responsibility, and decision-making.
• Mentor youth through positive role modeling, encouragement, consistency, and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Follow daily schedules, rules, and routines consistently across the residential program.
• Use trauma-informed redirection, de-escalation, and approved crisis-response techniques when situations become challenging.
• Collaborate with a shift partner, supervisors, and other team members.
• Complete required documentation accurately and on time.

Benefits

• $500 sign-on bonus, paid as $250 after 60 days and $250 after 90 days.
• Upfront training, including Handle With Care crisis prevention and intervention training.
• On-shift staff partner, access to nursing staff on campus, and supervisory support.

What This Job Offers

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