YOUTH SERVICES WORKER

Salary: $64,158.00 Annually
Location : Juvenile Detention, 1548 Hull Ave., Des Moines, IA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 27-1012
Department: Community, Family & Youth Services Department
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: PAA
Hours: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m (Mon-Tues Off)
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME/Paraprofessional
Salary Grade: 9
Location: Juvenile Detention

Under general supervision, performs responsible duties related to the care, security, welfare, and custody of youth at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center. Youth Service Workers are mainly responsible for direct care of youth and security/safety of the center; perform as back up to intake, transportation, and control center staff.

Illustrative Examples of Work

1. Provides back up for intake at the detention facility; interviews clients, juvenile court officers, legal guardians, and law enforcement personnel to obtain family and personal history, educational background, social skills, and medical conditions.
2. Participates in the preparation and implementation of individual care and placement plans; interacts with youth to assess the impact of services received; monitors participant's progress; assesses the need for additional services and/or behavioral interventions.
3. Maintains professional interaction with youth while providing daily care; facilitates, organizes, supervises, and participates in behavioral, educational, instructional, and recreational groups and activities.
4. Counsels youth on situational problems that may arise; instructs youth regarding facility rules, regulations, and procedures; utilizes behavior management skills including discipline/reward to ensure youth compliance with facility rules and regulations and conduct requirements.
5. Inputs and retrieves information on a computer regarding services provided to youth; compiles information and prepares reports as requested.
6. Provides back up for transportation of youth at the detention facility.
7. Makes verbal, written and computerized reports of all occurrences happening during a shift; maintains thorough records of services provided; prepares other reports as directed; maintains continuous internal communications with facility staff; utilizes intercom system, telephone system, and wireless communication systems.
8. Contacts parents, law enforcement personnel, and representatives from other social service or community agencies to share program information, coordinate services, and resolve problems.
9. Dispenses medication and performs minor medical duties.
10. Assists in ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of youth; assists in maintaining security by conducting and recording periodic bedroom checks, ensuring doors are locked and secure, observing and reporting youth behavior and/or suspicious activities, and detecting and confiscating contraband/or weapons; performs personal and room searches; may be required to physically restrain youth under certain situations; observes for potential escapes; notifies management and control center of emergency situations.
11. Participates in weekly staff meetings.
12. Completes housekeeping duties as needed. May assist in setting up and serving meals.
13. Provides technical assistance to clerical/support staff as directed as assigned.
14. May transport youth outside of the facility as needed.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
•

• Knowledge of the principles and practices relating to the operation of juvenile detention facilities.
• Knowledge of the Iowa Juvenile Code and Licensing/Accreditation standards.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in enforcing discipline of youth.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of group leadership and recreational and educational group activities.
• Knowledge of abnormal behavior in youth.
• Knowledge of the community services available to youth and families.
• Knowledge of the behavior patterns common to various stages of youth development.
• Knowledge of electronic monitoring systems.
• Knowledge of juvenile court system procedures.
• Skill in interviewing, listening, visual observation.
• Skill in the use of office equipment to input and retrieve information and reports.
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and procedures.
• Ability to facilitate groups and provide individual counseling.
• Ability to secure and maintain the confidence of and maintain a sympathetic and understanding attitude toward youth.
• Ability to interact effectively with youth and families from diverse cultures and/or socio-economic status.
• Ability to enforce regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality.
• Ability to effectively deal with volatile or distraught youth.
• Ability to participate in physical restraint of hostile, aggressive, and combative youth.
• Ability to remain mentally alert to visually observe for suspicious activity, breaches in security, and safety issues.
• Ability to recognize problems as they arise and take immediate and appropriate steps to intervene.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently and work in a stressful environment.
• Ability to operate telephones, intercoms, and duress buttons.
• Ability to keep accurate routine records and make verbal and written reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 75 lbs.
• Ability to participate in the physical restraint of hostile, aggressive, and combative youth.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents/legal guardians of youth, other staff, law enforcement personnel, and other professionals involved with youth.
• Ability to maintain composure and exercise sound judgment under stressful circumstances.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and professional work environment.

Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school or equivalent, and
• Three years of relevant work experience in an institutional setting dealing with the welfare of dependent or delinquent youth, or
• Associate's Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or related, and
• One year of relevant work experience in an institutional setting dealing with the welfare of dependent or delinquent youth, or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements:

• Candidate is required to obtain certification in Safe Crisis Management, or equivalent, within six months of hire and maintain annually.
• Candidate must be able to obtain CPR/AED and First Aid and Medication Manager Certification within six months of hire and maintain annually.
• Candidate must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and physical capacity testing to ensure candidate meets the essential physical requirements of the position.
• Candidate must pass a physical examination every three years.
• Candidate must pass a tuberculosis test annually.
• Candidate must pass a Criminal History Record Check through the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and a Child/Adult Abuse Record Check through the Iowa Department of Human Services as defined in the State of Iowa licensing and approved standards (IAC 441, Chapter 105). Annual checks are required.
• A drug screen is required prior to final offer of employment.
• A valid State of Iowa driver's license is required. Candidate must obtain a Class D Chauffeur's license within six months of hire and maintain annually.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime outside of normal work hours with minimal advance notice as required.

Polk County is committed to providing a work environment that is representative, at all levels, of the citizens we serve. Equal opportunities are available to all applicants and current employees regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.
Click below for a detailed overview of our benefits package.