Youth Care Worker - Emergency Shelter (Full Time)

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Youth Care Worker to join our Emergency Shelter team!

A Youth Care Worker (YCW) is responsible for providing care and services to youth, typically ranging from ages 13-19 living in a 24-hour licensed residential facility. A YCW helps maintain safety and compliance of the residential facility. A YCW monitors, supervises, transports, and helps meet basic needs of youth in a way that positively supports their development as well as their individual goals.

This full time, non-exempt position earns a competitive rate ranging from $23.32 - $25.48/hr depending upon experience. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises clients and the facility by overseeing their care and safety through the core values and mission of the organization.
• Ensures client safety and engagement services by:
  • Consistently interacting with clients using LifeWorks’ client-focused and strengths-based approaches. This includes supporting day-to-day activities of youth and relating to clients as they move toward their individual goals.
  • Assisting 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.
  • Coordinating and helping with transportation for clients to a variety of outings, including staff-led community-based activities, client appointments, job interviews, emergency room visits, etc.
  • Engaging 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.
  • Demonstrating the ability to provide youth with positive coping methods while supporting the healing from trauma through a healing centered approach.
  • Demonstrating the ability to manage emotions and perform in high pressure and/or crisis with calm, care, and unconditional positive regard for youth.
  • Managing 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 incident reporting, implementation of safety plans action plans in coordination with team members, including case managers.
  • Distribute, document and observe clients in receiving prescribed medications. This also includes having a basic understanding of psychotropic medications as learned in trainings and the administration/transfer of such medications.
  • Coordinates and completes Intake and discharge of client services. This includes consent for services and risk assessment for supervision guidelines.
  • Completes Initial Orientation. This includes explanation of services, client rights and responsibilities, policies and guidelines.
  • Follows health and safety guidelines per DFPS minimum standards and LifeWorks safety planning.
• Ensures program compliance by:
  • Completing 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.
  • Documenting and maintaining 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.
  • Communicating 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.
  • Engaging and completing all required trainings, meetings and professional development plans, including monthly supervision with supervisor.
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor and Director.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent;
• Requires 1+ year of related experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Client Focus - Builds transformational relationships with clients and delivers mission-centered solutions.
• Collaborates and Adapts - Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives and fulfill our mission; adapts one’s approach and demeanor to meet the shifting demands of different situations.
• Honors Differences - Embraces different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds by being open to others’ opinions, ideas, and experiences; develops an inclusive culture that creates solutions to meet the needs of our clients.
• Nimble Learning - Actively learns from successes, failures, and others’ experiences, and shows a willingness to pivot and try new things.
• Builds Trust - Gains the confidence and trust of others through integrity, dependability, and authenticity.
• Action Oriented - Takes initiative, shows resourcefulness, and directs focus and energy on mission-critical opportunities, challenges, and changes.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• May be required to possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 30 days.
• Complete 40 hours of program training within the first six months of employment and ongoing 20 hours annually.
• Standard First-Aid and CPR Certification as required by individual program.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS
With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.

A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.