Direct Care Worker (Working with Youth)

vq-career-page; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

VisionQuest (VQ) is seeking a Direct Care Worker to support youth in residential settings with individualized interventions and crisis support. You will help promote safety, empathy, and adherence to each youth’s treatment plan.

The role involves intake, daily care, rapport-building, activity coordination, and detailed documentation. A driver’s license and flexible hours are required, with background checks completed as part of hiring.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; two years of residential programming experience preferred.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• Cleared background checks; valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Intake and property inventory for youth arrival.
• Provide essentials: meals, clothing, hygiene products.
• Build rapport and be a positive role model for a safe environment.
• Plan and coordinate educational events and activities.
• Observe, report, and document behavior using logs and forms.
• Maintain supervision and a clean, hazard-free facility.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Compassionate attitude

Teamwork independence

Organization problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates or Bachelor's preferred

Job description

Work That Matters. Support That Lasts.

At VisionQuest (VQ), we serve children, youth, and families during some of the most critical moments of their lives. Our teams help young people overcome challenges, build resilience, and move toward brighter futures.

VQ is a national child, youth, and family services organization providing residential programming, community-based services, and in-home support across the United States. We partner with state and federal agencies to deliver services where the need is greatest and to strengthen the communities we serve.

Every role at VQ contributes to meaningful impact. Whether working directly with youth or supporting the professionals who serve them, your work helps create opportunity and stability for the next generation.

Why build your career at VQ?

• -Purpose-driven work Every role contributes to helping children and families succeed.
• -Fair and responsible compensation We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices.
• -Career growth opportunities Internal promotions and leadership development pathways.
• -Professional leadership culture Accountable, supportive leadership focused on long-term success.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-paid Life and Short-Term Disability
• 401(k) with employer match

At VQ, we are building more than programs.

We are building careers that make a difference.

The Direct Care Worker provides treatment interventions in a one-to-one or small group setting for youth designated as needing specialty services or crisis interventions. Promotes logical decision making, decreases counter aggression and encourages least restrictive alternatives to improve the youth’s and staffs’ ability to handle real life and potential crisis situations. Responsible for the supervision, safety, preservation of youth rights, care and treatment of youth designated for services or care in accordance with the youth’s treatment plan. May provide Safe Crisis Management and utilize verbal intervention techniques to youth who are physically threatening, out-of-control, or otherwise presenting a threat to themselves and/or others.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts intake and property inventory upon youth’s arrival, including completion of paperwork, overview of program services, home and school facilities.
• Provides essential needs to youth such as, meals, clothing, hygiene products, shower and bedroom assignments.
• Develops positive rapport with youth while serving as a role model to create a safe and caring environment.
• Assists with the planning and coordination of special educational events, acculturation activities, holiday celebrations, recreational outings, school drop off/pick-ups, medical and dental appointments.
• Observers, reports, and documents identified behavior patterns and required information that merit documentation such as SELF, close observation, nightwatch checklist, bed check logs, outing logs, incident reports, transfers, etc.
• Ensures proper supervision of youth while maintaining a safe, clean and hazard-free facility by maintaining clean common areas, restrooms, kitchen, laundry, and outdoor areas.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with ability to listen actively.
• Positive and compassionate attitude, solid relationship-building capabilities.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma or an equivalent degree; Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least two years experience in residential programming, preferred but not required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Flexible schedule (evening, weekends, holidays) to facilitate program services is required.
• Cleared background checks from appropriate entities.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be eligible to drive to facilitate program services as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• May lift and carry up to 10 pounds frequently, up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 50 pounds infrequently.
• Performs tasks that may involve standing or walking 50% of the day; sitting 50%of the day.
• May bend, stoop, reach and grasp as necessary.