Youth Care Worker

Salary : $40,049.00 Annually
Location : Juvenile Justice Center, 650 Ferry Street, Easton, PA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 2026-YCWE
Department: Court Administration
Division: Juvenile Justice Center
Opening Date: 12/31/2025


Application Requirements
Do you desire a position where you can make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth?
Apply today to become a Youth Care Worker with the County of Northampton!

$2500 SIGN ON BONUS!

($500 payable upon hire, $750 after 3 months of employment, and final $1,250 payment after 6 months of employment - sign on bonus for FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES ONLY.)
NOTE - CURRENTLY HIRING FOR ALL SHIFTS

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at or View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.
Job Description
GENERAL PURPOSE

The Youth Care Worker position is responsible for the care and custody of children and youth who have been alleged and/or adjudicated delinquent and are residents of the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports directly to the Juvenile Justice Center Supervisor and/or higher level official in the County Juvenile Detention Facility.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervision over other employees.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION

Provides for the care, activity and security for children and youth in the County Juvenile Justice Center.

Provides supervision, structure, and control of the residents throughout their daily routines.

Communicates with children and youth, discussing their concerns and interests to attempt to alleviate any adjustment or behavior problems.

Plans, conducts and participates in resident activities, including but not limited to instructional or recreational activities.

Inspects children and youth upon admission for cleanliness, freedom from disease and injuries.

Processes admissions, intakes, and discharges accompanied by conducting pat and/or strip searches during this process, and on an as needed basis.

Searches rooms and other facility areas for contraband.

Reacts to crisis situations in the facility, deescalating with residents and separating and/or implementing physical interventions or individual processing when necessary.

Transports and accompanies children and youth to other institutions, clinics, and foster homes.

Assesses issues of difficulty or potential problems and provides reports and recommends solutions to higher level staff.

Completes appropriate admission and discharge forms for residents.

Maintains records of shift activities, incidents and writes reporting concerning resident behavior.

May assist with orienting newly hired Youth Care Worker staff.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Completion of sixty (60) college credits at an accredited college or university in Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a related field of study. An Associate's Degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a related field of study, is preferred; OR
At least one (1) year of full-time professional work experience with children in programs for juvenile offenders, corrections, law enforcement, residential and/or congregate care settings, residential treatment facilities, or inpatient behavioral/mental health programs; AND

Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the care, custody and control of delinquent youth in an institutional setting.

Knowledge of the effects of institutionalization on the attitudes of children and youth, and social processes among them.

Knowledge of the growth stages of children and youth, including social, emotional and mental development through the teenage years.

Skill in communicating with children and youth alleged and/or adjudicated delinquent on personally sensitive or confidential issues.

Ability to supervise the activities of children and youth in custody, ensuring their safety and security.

Ability to use physical techniques to control residents, typically between the ages of 16 - 18 years of age.

Ability to establish and maintain understanding and effective relationships with facility residents, including children and youth with social and emotional problems.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with family members, representatives of law enforcement and court systems.

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Must be available to work shifts on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) days a week schedule.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Telephone or cell phone, personal computer (including word processing and job related software), calculator, fax machine, copy machine, radio and handcuffs.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

While performing the duties of this job the employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds, while physically restraining a resident. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment varies.


SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)

DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE

PAY GRADE: YC-18

UNION STATUS: AFSCME YOUTH DETENTION CENTER UNIT
Updated December 2023
Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following:
Medical Insurance
Vision and Prescription
Dental
Life Insurance
Retirement
I. Medical Insurance

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouse's employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.
II. Vision and Prescription

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employee's choice of doctor and frame selection.
III. Dental Coverage

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.
IV. Life Insurance

A life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.
V. Retirement

All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan (457(b)) which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.
01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you at least twenty-one (21) years of age?

• Yes
• No

03


Have you completed sixty (60) college credits, or an Associate's degree, from an accredited college or university? Please be sure you have attached an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) to your application to avoid a delay in processing.

• Yes
• No

04


If you do not have sixty (60) college credits, or an Associate's degree, do you have at least one (1) year of full-time professional work experience with children in programs for juvenile offenders, corrections, law enforcement, residential and/or congregate care settings, residential treatment facilities, or inpatient behavioral/mental health programs?If yes, please ensure your Work History section reflects this experience to qualify. If not, please select "no".

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a valid and current driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

06


I understand that Youth Care Workers must be free of Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases. A pre-employment physical exam and TB test (at no cost to you) will be required. Please click "yes" to indicate your understanding of this requirement.

• Yes
• No

07


I understand that during my first two (2) weeks of training I will be working a Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. For the remainder of my on-the-job training, I will be expected to work the shift assigned based on the needs of the facility. Those shifts may be day shift, middle shift, and/or night shift. Please click "yes" to indicate your understanding of this requirement.

• Yes
• No

08


I understand that I will be expected to work mandatory overtime and/or double shifts, and I may be given less than 1/2 an hour of notice of this overtime. Please click "yes" to indicate your understanding of this requirement.

• Yes
• No

09


Because the Juvenile Justice Center is a 24/7/365 operation, staffing levels must be maintained even on weekends and holidays. The facility operates on a fixed schedule and all employees are required to work every other weekend, with established days off prior to and after your scheduled weekends to work. Are you willing to work every other weekend and on holidays, which may include a sixteen (16) hour shift should your scheduled day to work fall on a holiday?

• Yes
• No

10


Youth Care Workers are considered essential personnel and are required to work even if County offices are closed for inclement weather. Are you willing to commit to the position of Youth Care Worker, where your attendance at work is mandatory even when there is inclement weather?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you believe you can set aside personal prejudices and be fair in dealing with youth who have been convicted of serious and/or violent crimes?

• Yes
• No

12


Are you willing to work in a locked area of a building, supervising the activities of residents who have been convicted of serious and/or violent crimes?

• Yes
• No

13


Once properly trained, are you willing to utilize an emergency safety physical intervention to control disturbances, break up fights, etc.?

• Yes
• No

14


Are you willing to render first aid, including CPR, to residents who are sick or injured?

• Yes
• No

15


Are you willing to search residents for contraband, which are items the facility deems are a safety and security risk?

• Yes
• No

16


Are you willing to pat search juveniles as well as conduct visual body searches of residents?

• Yes
• No

17


Are you willing to follow orders and respect a chain of command structure?

• Yes
• No

18


Are you willing to work in an environment in which you may be verbally or physically threatened by residents?

• Yes
• No

19


Are you willing to work in a job where you are not free to discuss many of your daily activities with family and friends?

• Yes
• No

20


Are you willing to wear a uniform to work every day?

• Yes
• No

21


Are you willing to undergo a Personality Inventory Assessment (MMPI) if this position is offered to you?

• Yes
• No

22


Are you willing to be confined to the Juvenile Justice Center for the entirety of your shift, including your meal break?

• Yes
• No

23


Are you willing to supervise the activities of residents who might call you offensive names and/or threaten you and/or your family?

• Yes
• No

24


Are you willing to report a fellow Youth Care Worker or staff member who might be breaking detention center rules or regulations?

• Yes
• No

25


Are you willing to risk your personal safety to protect a fellow Youth Care Worker, staff member, or resident from attack?

• Yes
• No

26


Have you ever been convicted or pled guilty to a misdemeanor or felony, which includes a DUI/DWI?

• Yes
• No

27


If you answered "yes" to question #26, please explain your answer:
28


The Youth Care Worker position is part of the Youth Detention Center Union, and starting salary is dictated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The starting salary for this position is $19.2544 per hour ($40,049 annually) and is non-negotiable. Please choose "yes" to indicate your understanding of the starting wage and that it is not negotiable.

• Yes
• No

Required Question