Youth Worker

Overview:

Under the direction of a Youth Worker Supervisor or other designated supervisor in a Children's Residential Treatment Center, Detention Facility, or Group Home, the Youth Worker assists in planning, implementing, and supporting therapeutic programs and daily living activities for children and adolescents with behavioral, emotional, and social needs. The position provides direct care, guidance, and supervision to promote each resident's emotional, social, educational, and personal development. Youth Workers help maintain a safe, structured, and supportive environment while fostering positive relationships,encouraging healthy decision-making, and ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all residents.

Responsibilities:

Provide direct care, supervision, guidance, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents in a residential treatment, detention, or group home setting. Establish positive, professional relationships with residents by utilizing appropriate counseling, coaching, and communication techniques to promote emotional, social, behavioral, and personal growth. Implement individualized treatment and behavior support plans by providing consistent structure, positive reinforcement, and therapeutic interventions during daily living activities. Apply approved crisis prevention, de-escalation, and behavioral intervention techniques to ensure the safety of residents and staff. When necessary, utilize agency-approved physical intervention and restraint procedures in accordance with applicable policies, regulations, and training requirements. Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by attending treatment planning meetings, sharing observations, documenting resident progress, and contributing to the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans. Plan, organize, and facilitate therapeutic, educational, recreational, and leisure activities that support residents' developmental, behavioral, and treatment goals. Lead and facilitate resident group meetings to encourage positive interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, problem-solving, accountability, and personal development. Teach and reinforce independent living skills, including personal hygiene, grooming, housekeeping, organization, safety practices, and appropriate care of personal and agency property. Supervise residents during daily routines, meals, recreation, educational activities, appointments, transportation, and community-based programming while maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Review, interpret, and consistently apply agency policies, procedures, rules, and applicable state and federal regulations governing residential care. Respond to medical and behavioral emergencies by administering basic first aid within the scope of training and coordinating appropriate medical follow-up when necessary. Maintain accurate, timely, objective, and confidential documentation, including daily logs, behavioral observations, incident reports, treatment notes, and other required records. Utilize electronic health records, case management systems, and other electronic and manual information systems to document services and maintain required program records. Collaborate effectively with supervisors, clinicians, educators, medical personnel, and other multidisciplinary team members to coordinate services and support resident treatment goals. Participate in required orientation, in-service training, professional development activities, and certification programs to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills. Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission, operations, and goals of the residential program.

Qualifications:

One (1) year of experience in the direct care and/or training of children with social, emotional, psychological and/or behavioral problems in a residential or community centered program.

Please note:

Thirty (30) semester credit hours from an accredited college, which shall have included at least twelve (12) semester credit hours in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Applicants who possess the twelve (12) specific credits in the behavioral sciences may substitute additional experience for the remaining education Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position. The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $45,000 - $50,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

You can build your own future while helping to build the future of your community. With competitive benefits, including a pension plan, on-site wellness coaches, and health and dental insurance, Middlesex County offers the support employees need. The County also promotes a healthy work-life balance with generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave. Please see link for more information: Benefits Middlesex County is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.