Relief Youth Care Worker Emergency Shelter

LifeWorks of Austin TX is looking to hire Youth Care Workerson a Relief/PRN basiswho are responsible for providing care and services to youth ranging in age from 16 to 20 living in a 24-hour licensed residential facility. Youth Care Workers supervise clients by overseeing their care and safety through the core values and mission of the organization and maintains the safety and compliance of the residential facility. Youth Care Worker services include ensuring safety mentoring supervising transporting overseeing participation in daily activities and meeting basic needs of youth in a way that positively supports their development self-sufficiency and goals. This position is at our EMERGENCY SHELTER.

The effective rate of pay for Youth Care Worker positions is $22.00 per hour plus additional night and weekend shift differentials if applicable.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Safety and Service Engagement:

• Interacts consistently with clients using LifeWorks client-focused and strengths-based approaches; supports day-to-day activities of youth and relates to clients as they move toward their individual goals.
• Assists clients with day-to-day needs including assistance with case management school activities job search activities transportation cleaning activities meal preparation and administration of daily medications.
• Coordinates and helps with transportation for clients to a variety of outings including staff-led community-based activities client appointments job interviews emergency room visits etc.
• Engages in conversations with youth regarding topics such as race identity proclamation and exploration substance use mental health healthy boundaries and habits and self-sufficiency while maintaining professional boundaries and client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Supports youth with positive coping methods while encouraging healing from trauma through a healing centered approach.
• Manages emotions and performs in high pressure and/or crisis situations with calm care and unconditional positive regard for youth.
• Manages emotional physical and verbally escalated situations by applying approved behavior modification technique to de-escalate youth back to normalcy as well as physical restraints utilizing Handle with Care techniques when necessary.
• Follows DFPS Minimum Standards for documentation of incidents and implementation of safety plans in coordination with team members and case managers.
• Coordinates and completes Intake and discharge of client services including consent for services and risk assessment for supervision guidelines.
• Completes Initial Orientation including explanation of services client rights and responsibilities policies and guidelines.
• Follows health and safety guidelines per DFPS minimum standards and LifeWorks safety planning.

Facility Compliance

• Completes regular perimeter walks room checks facility/room searches and ongoing visual checks of facility.
• Documents and maintains daily written records of client whereabouts and incidents and communicates information with team members while maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Documents and maintains written records of client behavior client progress activity engagement school attendance medications and incidents through daily notes logs and incident reports while maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Communicates effectively with team members and client support team while maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Conducts drills in accordance with Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning.
• Maintains cleanliness within licensing standards including cleaning in common areas offices and kitchen.
• Engages in and completes all required trainings meetings and professional development plans including monthly supervision with supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a high school diploma GED or equivalent; and
• Requires 1 year of related experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires a valid Texas drivers license.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS
With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness youth aging out of foster care young adults and young parents LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing mental health education and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home a sense of belonging and the support to pursue a life they love.

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home the chance to heal and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving shared accountability and evidence-based solutions we are relentless in achieving real sustainable and measurable results for the clients we serve.

A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.