Youth Development Worker

Youth Development Worker

Join our dedicated team helping youth grow beyond their challenges and guiding them toward brighter futures. As a Youth Development Worker at our Youth Development Care Center, you will play a vital role in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for youth in the facility, while also modeling positive behaviors and life skills. Our new Youth Development Care Center located in Caledonia, WI is a modern, thoughtfully designed facility that reflects our commitment to rehabilitation and safety for both youth and staff.

Shifts: 2nd shift: 3pm-11pm ($2.00/hr. shift premium) 3rd shift: 11pm-7am Hiring rate of pay is: $29.37/hr. Racine County offers a competitive compensation package, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities and the opportunity to make a lasting impact through public service. As an employee of a local government agency, qualified employees may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which may provide student loan forgiveness for borrowers who meet program requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supervise and care for youth within established policies and procedures.
2. Be a positive role model and maintain a positive environment to re-direct youth as necessary.
3. Maintain a secure and safe environment.
4. Provide basic needs of youth, such as food, clothing, personal supplies, bedding, medical needs, and other supplies.
5. Perform general housekeeping and cleaning duties, operate laundry equipment, and other related duties, as required.
6. Maintain accurate records, including written daily behavioral reports, room checks, disciplinary reports, medication logs, incident reports.
7. Conduct room and personal searches for cleanliness, contraband, and damages.
8. Responds to emergency situations to maintain the safety and security of youth, staff, and the facility. Physically intervenes in and separates altercations involving youth and, when necessary, restrains youth in accordance with Principles of Subject Control (POSC) training.
9. Provides suicide intervention, first aid, and emergency assistance as needed.
10. Participates in and may lead evacuation, rescue, and emergency response efforts during fires, severe weather, power outages, medical emergencies, or other facility emergencies.
11. Refer youth to mental health & medical services
12. Perform youth interactions and establishing rapport with youth.
13. Perform other related duties as needed.
14. Monitor and operate electronic and manual equipment.
15. Attend mandatory staff meetings as directed.
16. Maintain Wisconsin Juvenile Detention Officer Certification yearly.

Supervision Received: Receives supervision from a Youth Development Supervisor.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Minimum age of 21.
• No convictions of a felony, misdemeanor or other offense of which the circumstances substantially relate to the circumstances of the particular job or licensed activity.
• Previous experience working or volunteering with at-risk youth preferred.
• Pass certification in the use of a self contained breathing apparatus.
• Successfully complete the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board "Secure Detention Officer" training (160 hours) during the probationary period (or if not offered during probationary period, the first time the training is available) and annual re-certification, which includes rescuing youth in case of fire or disaster, including pulling deadweight (using two-person carrying method, with 35-55 lb breathing apparatus on back, carrying 120 lb dummy).
• Prompt and regular attendance.
• Have basic computer and typing skills.
• Or any equivalent combination, training and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Some knowledge of adolescent behavior, inter-personal relations, and social interaction.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and staff personnel.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for youth.
• Ability to perform and make decisions in crisis situations.
• Ability to detect and recognize potentially hazardous situations.

Working Conditions: Continuous (100% of work day) inside work. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and well-groomed. Required to wear a designated uniform (uniform policy). Most times employee is required to carry a portable radio. Possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Use of Equipment: Ability to use a computer, computer keyboard/mouse and portable radio.

Physical Requirements: Continuous (67% - 100% of work day) feeling, talking, hearing, far, near, color, peripheral vision, and light intensity of fingering. Frequent (34% - 66% of work day) standing, walking, sitting, bending/twisting, reaching, lifting objects weighing 1-20 pounds, carrying objects weighing 1-10 pounds, light intensity of handling and medium intensity of fingering. Occasional (1% - 33% of work day) stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing using legs and feet, lifting objects weighing 21-80 pounds, carrying objects weighing 11-20 pounds, pushing/pulling objects weighing 1-20 pounds or 11-40 pounds on wheels.