Youth Services Worker

Working with the Division of Youth Services is more than it seems. You will be working with staff to create a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in our day treatment and residential programs. To succeed in this position you will need to be empathetic, nonjudgmental, cooperative, encouraging, able-bodied, professional, and respectful; you must be able to communicate clearly, honestly and openly. We also offer a variety of great benefits including health, dental, vision, paid holidays, cafeteria plans, retirement, and more. Join us and help make the difference for our youth today!

This position is responsible for providing treatment services and ensuring safety and security to youth in the care and custody of the Missouri Division of Youth Services. Employees will facilitate treatment programming to youth (e.g., youth advocate, group facilitation, creation and delivery of treatment activities, etc.).

The following tasks are the responsibility of the Youth Services Worker:

• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, with responsibility for their personal conduct, care, and therapy.
• Monitor activity, behavior, and movement of youth both within a residential/day treatment setting or while escorting youth off grounds; performing physical counts as necessary.
• Maintain security, including intervention and/or participate fully in physical restraints of youth during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain physical control of youth.
• Supervise youth in residential/day treatment facilities in the performance of work activities and during recreational and religious activities; conducts inspections for health and safety hazards.
• Assist youth with their personal issues and refer issues to the group in accordance with the principles of the program. Observe and keep staff informed daily of significant behavioral conditions known about an individual and/or the group.
• Implement group and individual treatment plans.
• Maintain professional boundaries, modeling a reasonable, respectful, and professional demeanor at all times. Interact positively with youth, families, co-workers, management, and the public.
• Prepare reports regarding each client’s adjustment and progress; maintain youth records.
• Dispense medications to youth. Intervene in youth medical emergencies defined as the ability to perform first-aid interventions for youth including, but not limited to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Transport and escort youth in everyday and emergency situations.
• Work on shifts and attend mandatory meetings during the evening, overnight, or daytime hours as assigned by the supervisor and respond to facility emergencies. Report all hours worked and absences accurately and in accordance with attendance policies and facility guidelines. Log work time daily in accordance with policy and submit timesheets to supervisor as directed.
• Employees may also assist in the educational program.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Awareness Supervision is defined as the ability to see, be seen by, and to hear and be heard by youth at all times in order to be capable of swift, appropriate response.

Knowledge, skills & abilities:

Knowledge of individual and group behavior. Knowledge of child development and the role of the family. Knowledge of the causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of youth treatment. Ability to work with youth and family members. Ability to foster the cooperation of youth in the treatment process. Ability to physically respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies. Ability to learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures. Ability to transport youth and travel as necessary.

Sixty or more earned credit hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum of six earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work. OR 2-4 years of relevant experience.

(Earned credit hours from an accredited college or university may substitute on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of three years of the required experience at a rate of 30 earned credit hours for one year.)

Lack of post‐secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Special Requirement: Possession of a valid driver’s license.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you experience an accessibility issue while applying at mocareers.mo.gov, please contact courtney.a.hall@dss.mo.gov or call 573-526-0416. If you have questions about this position please contact: hrc@dss.mo.gov.

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