Youth Care Specialist - Shelter Care - 1st Shift

Youth Care Specialist - Shelter Care - 1st Shift (Male applicants encouraged to apply)

Position Purpose

Under general direction of the Supervisor; the Youth Care Specialist performs work involving the care and custody of juveniles, assuring a safe, secure environment, providing positive influence, and preparing and maintaining related logs and reports. They also focus on  the individualized needs of youth and caregivers currently served within the Youth & Family Services Division.

Shelter Care is seeking a compassionate, dependable individual to join our team as a Youth Care Specialist. In this role, you will work directly with youth to help meet their basic needs and serve as a positive role model. At Shelter Care, we take a team-based approach to supporting the youth and one another, working alongside 2 to 4 other colleagues each shift. Youth Care Specialists engage with the youth on a daily basis, transporting them to school, preparing meals together, playing board games or sports, participating in community activities and promoting healthy life habits. This role offers an opportunity to mentor youth, gain experience in child welfare and mental health, and develop professionally within a collaborative team environment.

HOURS:
Full Time 1st Shift
Four 10-hour shifts a week including every other weekend
Hours are 4am-2pm

This position is eligible for overtime

**Please note: Due to DCF 59.05(4)(h) and current ratio with our shelter care, male applicants are encouraged to apply.

DCF 59-05(4)(h):  When children of both sexes are present in large group shelter care facilities, there shall be both male and female staff members on duty in the facility.

We offer a full benefits package which includes being a part of the Wisconsin Retirement System pension! Want to learn more about our benefits?
Click here:  https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Supervises and directs educational, recreational, intellectual, competency development, and pro-social activities for youth.
• Provides support and education to parents/caregivers.
• Monitors and interacts with youth  in an individual or group setting and appropriately engages with residents who may be experiencing mental/emotional distress or are physically ill.
• Maintains accurate and complete records of juvenile count, personal property, money, incidents, activities, etc.
• Cooperates and maintains clear communication with law enforcement, social service agencies, social workers, juvenile intake, schools and resident's significant others.
• Maintains discipline and adheres to the rules and regulations pertaining to the policies and procedures of the Division.
• Provides transportation for youth residents to school, work, appointments, and recreational activities.
• Remains educated on and maintains compliance with the rules and regulations governing the Shelter Care facility including DCF59 Administrative Code requirements and Department Policies.
• Completes custody procedures when a youth is placed into the facility; documents appropriate information, and maintains required documentation in resident files.
• Receives incoming perishable and non-perishable items; dates and stores items in appropriate areas and takes inventory of food and other supplies and reports to the facility Supervisor.

Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements

• A minimum of one year previous work and/or educational experience preferred that has provided the skills and knowledge necessary to provide proper care to youth who are experiencing mental, emotional, behavioral, or physical difficulties or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of pre-employment testing which includes but not limited to a physical exam, TB test and Vision test.

Required or Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of receiving, releasing, and maintaining custody of youth residents.
• Knowledge of adolescent behavior, brain development, inter-personal relations, and social/peer interaction.
• Understand the operation and purpose of the Shelter Care facility and to remain educated on other community service providers.
• Ability to maintain composure and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments including normal working conditions and high stress situations.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for youth residents and provide positive direction and supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, parents, social workers, public defenders, juvenile intake workers, school personnel, mental health professional, law enforcement, maintenance workers, and other providers both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate and complete records, and prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Must operate a variety of office equipment including personal computer, computer terminal, calculator, telephone, fax, Electronic Monitoring and security equipment.
• Ability to operate a variety of household appliances including dishwasher, microwave, clothes washer and dryer, vacuum cleaner, etc.
• Recognize and respond to residents' health needs.
   
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 30 pounds.