Youth Care Worker - Cook

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Care Worker-Residential Cook is responsible for preparing meals and snacks for the cottages to which they are assigned and for assisting other cottage staff in the supervision and support of cottage residents. The Residential Youth Care Worker delivers structured, daily therapeutic programming for youth under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. This role involves engaging youth in meaningful therapeutic interactions and skill-building activities while accurately documenting all interactions in accordance with Medicaid Rule 140. Utilizing Hoyleton’s CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), the Youth Care Worker fosters strong developmental relationships, promotes youth growth, and maintains a safe, supportive, and positive therapeutic environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Food Service & Kitchen Operations

• Prepares nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, according to the menus provided, that meets state health standards, food service regulations, ISBE standards, and supervisory directives.
• Plans and orders food and related supplies for meal preparation, including menus for evening and weekend meals that are prepared by staff on duty.
• Prepares special meals at various holidays and special events throughout the year.
• Assures proper storage of all food items; disposes of unused food at expiration date or an appropriate.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and sanitation standards in compliance with local health department regulations.

Youth Supervision, Support & Compliance

• Provides direction and oversight to cottage residents to assist them to develop cooking and cleaning skills in accordance with their capacity. Respond to behavioral issues when they occur. May be required to participate in client restraint.
• Maintains accurate and timely records in accordance with agency policies and state regulatory requirements.
• Engages youth in daily therapeutic activities that help youth develop social, emotional, and other life skills, including the ability to have fun and play, consistent with each youth’s individualized treatment goals and CARE principles.
• Ensures the safety and well-being of youth, co-workers, and self by:
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with youth, colleagues, and supervisors;
• Understanding each youth’s trauma history and triggers;
• Anticipating crises and utilizing TCI de-escalation techniques;
• Implementing TCI-compliant manual restraint when youth or staff face immediate serious risk of harm; and
• Supporting relationship repair through TCI Life Space Interviews following crises.
• Completes daily hours of care by documenting Medicaid-compliant therapeutic interventions.
• Participates with their supervisor and youth in planning schedules of activities for each shift.
• Engages in reflective practice by participating in weekly individual and/or group supervision with supervisor.
• Participates in clinical staffings, cottage meetings, and other agency meetings as required, and meets all initial and ongoing agency training requirements.
• During overnight shifts, conducts bed checks of each youth every 15 minutes and therapeutically engages youth who experience difficulty with bedtime or sleeping.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by Supervisory and Administrative staff.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire, a Food Service Sanitation Certification through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
• Basic skills in first aid and identification of medical needs. 
• Ability to learn the CARE practice model and implement daily programming consistent with CARE principles.
• Ability to learn the TCI curriculum and successfully pass TCI written and physical restraint tests, remain current with required TCI refresher training, and conduct TCI techniques with fidelity to the model.
• Successfully complete CARE training and certification and maintain annual TCI recertification.
• Remain awake and alert for the entirety of scheduled shifts to ensure client safety and meet DCFS supervision requirements.
• Enjoy actively engaging youth, demonstrate emotional maturity, patience, and communicate empathy in interactions.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive, supportive relationships with youth.
• Meet all DCFS/CANTS clearance requirements. 
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Possess and maintain a valid Illinois driver’s license and maintain proof of automobile insurance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required; a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and related experience is preferred.
• Experience in food preparation or institutional cooking preferred.

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Children and Residential Experience), developed by Cornell University, to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed. 

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to successful job performance. 

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) . Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI principles drive company culture and are essential to job performance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position operates in a residential & community-based environment and may require travel to agency sites, client locations, and partner organizations based on role responsibilities.

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, which may include walking, standing, client restraints, sitting, climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, and lifting or moving up to 50 pounds as required by job duties.

Ability to perform typical kitchen-related tasks.

Minimal exposure to environmental factors such as noise, dust, or varying indoor/outdoor temperatures may occur depending on program needs and client-related activities. 

BENEFITS

• Medical insurance with company funded Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 company holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match 
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Optional supplemental benefits including: voluntary life, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to employees and their household members for additional support
• Tuition reimbursement to encourage continued learning and growth
• BenefitHub Perks Program offering valuable employee discounts