Lead Youth Care Worker - Emergency Shelter (Personal Services)
LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for full time Lead Youth Care Worker to join our Emergency Shelter team! This position is responsible for providing care and services to youth, typically ranging from ages 16-22, living in a 24-hour residential facility. Services provided include monitoring, supervising, transporting, and meeting basic needs of youth in a way that positively supports their development as well as their individual goals. Additionally, this position is involved in supervising and training program staff. The schedule being offered for this position is Monday-Friday, 11:00am-7:00pm.
This full time, non-exempt position earns a competitive rate of $24.50/hr. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervises clients and the facility by overseeing their care and safety through the core values and mission of the organization.
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Ensures client safety and engagement services by:
- Consistently interacting with clients using LifeWorks client-focused and strengths-based approaches. This includes supporting day-to-day activities of youth and relating to clients as they move toward their individual goals.
- Assisting 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.
- Coordinating and helping with transportation for clients to a variety of outings, including staff-led community-based activities, client appointments, job interviews, emergency room visits, etc.
- Engaging 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.
- Demonstrating the ability to provide youth with positive coping methods while supporting the healing from trauma through a healing centered approach.
- Demonstrating the ability to manage emotions and perform in high pressure and/or crisis with calm, care, and unconditional positive regard for youth.
- Managing 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 incident reporting, implementation of safety plans action plans in coordination with team members, including case managers.
- Coordinates and completes Intake and discharge of client services. This includes consent for services and risk assessment for supervision guidelines.
- Completes Initial Orientation. This includes explanation of services, client rights and responsibilities, policies and guidelines.Follows health and safety guidelines per DFPS minimum standards and LifeWorks safety planning.
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Ensures facility compliance by:
- Completing 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.
- Documenting and maintaining 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.
- Communicating 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.
- Directly supervises Youth Care Workers which involves ongoing monthly supervision, training, work evaluation, and providing guidance and assistance to staff in a way that exhibits leadership.
- Leads or plays an active role in hiring, onboarding, supervising, evaluating, coaching, and dismissing of Youth Care Workers.
- Assists Director of Emergency Shelter with training regarding EBI, licensing, and protocols.
- Rotates in the on-call duties every 3 weeks which includes being available to on-duty staff and may involve taking calls, responding to emails, covering shifts or providing on-site support in an emergency.
- Meets and maintains Emergency Shelter licensing training requirements to be present and in ratio at the shelter.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Requires a Bachelor's degree preferably in human services field;
- Requires 3+ years related experience; or
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
