Youth Care Worker

Description

Supervise Juvenile Detention Center residents and ensure a safe and positive environment for juveniles as well as staff, by recognizing potential conflicts and preventing or stopping them, providing counseling, and training and supervising residents in their day to day activities.

The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Handles crises by recognizing potential conflicts; evaluating the potential for injury or escalation; defusing and stopping the conflict; intervening in altercations between residents; and de-escalating hostile situations; documentation of all incidents.
• Interacts with the residents; providing supervision; adhering to the daily detention home and education schedule; counseling in groups or one-to-one; teaching basic life skills; playing games or participating in activities as appropriate.
• Provides customer service by answering the phones, taking messages; documenting incidents; contacting lawyers and probation officers on the resident’s behalf; and making necessary calls to parents, legal guardians and placement agencies; escorting visitors throughout the building.
• Provides medical care for residents by assessing and reporting issues from the residents or self-observation of medical or physical issues; referring the resident to the medical staff; assisting in the self-administration of scheduled and PRN medications; checking blood sugar levels; and checking vital signs; documentation of all medical actions taken.
• Participates in meetings and training sessions as needed or required; attending weekly shift meetings, completing at least 40 hours of training upon employment and per year; cross-training in all aspects of the job including control room, roving, intake, and pod supervision.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Associate’s Degree, with knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative or technical nature, from a college, vocational or technical school; and one to three years of experience.


An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above


Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record according to City Criteria
• CPR/First Aid/AED Certification
• Handle with Care Physical Restraint Certification
• Medication Administration Certification

Job Knowledge
Intermediate knowledge to perform most work in normal situations. Comprehension of standard situations and includes knowledge of most of the significant aspects of the subject.


Reading
Intermediate: Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, and thesauruses.


Writing
Intermediate: Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.


Math
Basic: Ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).


Communication Skills
Decisions regarding interpretation of existing policies may be made. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.


Independence and Decision-Making
Normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.


Technical Skills
Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.


Fiscal Responsibilities
No budgetary/fiscal responsibility.


Supervisory Responsibilities
No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Medium physical effort, exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.
• Adequate vision, hearing and talking to use a computer, telephone and communicating effectively with others.
• Frequent standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling, and fine dexterity.
• Occasional sitting, lifting, carrying, reaching, kneeling, crouching, bending, and twisting.
• Rare climbing and balancing.

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• May frequently perform multiple tasks simultaneously and work closely with others as part of a team.
• May occasionally experience time pressure, emergency situations, frequent change of tasks, and noisy/distracting environment.
• May rarely experience irregular work schedule/overtime, and tedious or exacting work.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
Typically requires use of computer and related hardware and software; 2-way radio, log books, hand cuffs, cuff key, leg irons, flex cuffs, keys, metal detector, laundry equipment; and any other equipment as appropriate or required.


WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in an office environment, Pod Areas, and recreation areas in a secure detention facility, where there is frequent exposure to communicable diseases, physical hazards, and physical danger or abuse. There is occasional exposure to noise and vibration, and wetness/humidity. There is seasonal exposure to respiratory hazards and extreme temperatures. There is rare exposure to mechanical, chemical, electrical, and fire hazards.


The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (gloves, First Aid/CPR mask, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.