Youth Development Officer

Youth Development Officer

The Youth Development Officer (YDO) provides direct supervision, safety, and security to youth in a 24-hour residential facility. Supervises around the clock youth activities, including structured programs designed to reduce recidivism, enhance self-esteem, social skills, increase academic performance, job skills, and improve mental and physical well-being. Redirects the thinking and behavior patterns of youth through building healthy relationships and mentoring in order to remove barriers for successful transitions to their homes and communities. Promotes and maintains a safe environment conducive to healing while at the same time intervening and deescalating crisis situations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the care, safety, security, reporting, observation, supervision and guidance of youth in a secured residential facility while adhering to all departmental policies & procedures, Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) standards, federal, state, and local statutes always. This includes direct supervision of youth, establishing supportive relationships with youth, actively encouraging participation in assigned activities and developing activities for youth on the units.
• In accordance with policy and procedure, provides safe redirection of negative and aggressive behavior, which includes the use of verbal and physical de-escalation.
• Assists and instructs youth with daily living skills, including personal hygiene and maintenance of living areas in the entire facility, especially in the units, dorms, rooms, classrooms, recreation areas and hallways, etc.
• Completes reports, daily logs at random intervals not to exceed the allotted time when documenting youth behavior and progress.
• Responsible for monitoring youth's behavior and documenting both behaviors and interventions in the department's electronic monitoring system.
• Communicates noteworthy information to unit and shift supervisors, treatment plan members and the administration.
• Escorts youth within the facility and externally as directed. This may be to accompany youth during hospital visits, funerals, off-campus educational activities and appointments at various social service agencies.
• Operates or provides supervision in departmental vehicles.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer