Youth Care Worker

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; AND

At least six (6) months of full-time or full-time equivalent direct work related experience is preferred, but not required; 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 January 2023