Youth Care Worker

Overview

The Unaccompanied Alien Children Program provides temporary residential care and other supportive services to Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) who are under legal custody of the Federal Government. Working in collaboration with the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, our program provides a safe and nurturing environment for 33 youth in a Basic Shelter program located at our licensed residential facility in Yonkers, NY as well as a Transitional Foster Care program for 40 youth in certified foster homes in the Bronx. In both programs, we provide therapeutic and educational services and other supports that youth need to achieve success through an array of strength-based and targeted interventions as well as link them with family members and/or other sponsors in the United States so they are able to move forward with their lives and thrive. The Youth Care Worker is responsible for providing direct services and performs various support tasks as part of the youth's daily care.

Responsibilities

• Serves as youth's supervisor with responsibility for the safety, personal conduct, and care of the youth, providing therapeutic interventions.

• Maintains security in buildings, grounds, and other posts; intervenes during emergencies or crisis situations.

• Supervises, counsels and redirect residents according to facility policy and procedures.

• Supervises movement of youth inside and outside the facility; takes periodic counts of youth.

• Monitors youth during recreational and various activities; (i.e., educational studies, independent living, religious etc.), and conducts inspections

for health and safety hazards.

• Interacts critically and constructively with other staff members to develop and implement successful intervention techniques.

• Develops effective relationships with youth, co-workers, and team members.

• Assists youth with their personal issues and refers issues to the group in accordance with the principles of the program.

• Observes and keeps staff informed daily of significant behavioral conditions known about an individual and/or the group.

• Assists in preparing reports regarding each youth's adjustment and progress.

• Prepares log entries and reports in a timely manner.

• Escorts and/or transports youth to predetermined locations.

• Exercises judgment and discretion in the performance of duties within departmental rules, regulations, and policies.

• Weekend and evening shifts

• Performs other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Preferred - A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within one or a combination of the following: Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or Social work.

• One or more years of work experience in a residential treatment program.

• Two or more years of experience in group work which involved direct care and interaction with youth such as YMCA, schools, recreational

facilities, or residential care programs.

• Valid vehicle operator's license, clean driving record required.

• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish or English/Creole) required.