Juvenile Detention Youth Services Specialist

Polk-County,-Ia; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Des Moines seeks a Youth Service Worker to provide direct care and maintain security for youth. Under supervision, you will support intake, coordinate with court and social services, and help implement individual care plans.

Responsibilities include leading groups, counseling youth, documenting activities, and monitoring behavior. The role requires strong communication, ability to handle stressful situations, and willingness to work varied shifts.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Three years of relevant work experience with dependent or delinquent youth.
• Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or related.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides back up for intake at the detention facility; interviews clients, juvenile court officers, legal guardians, and law enforcement personnel to obtain family and personal history, educational background, social skills, and medical conditions.
• Participates in the preparation and implementation of individual care and placement plans; interacts with youth to assess the impact of services received; monitors participant’s progress; assesses the need for additional services and/or behavioral interventions.
• Maintains professional interaction with youth while providing daily care; facilitates, organizes, supervises, and participates in behavioral, educational, instructional, and recreational groups and activities.
• Counsels youth on situational problems that may arise; instructs youth regarding facility rules, regulations, and procedures; utilizes behavior management skills including discipline/reward to ensure youth compliance with facility rules and regulations and conduct requirements.
• Inputs and retrieves information on a computer regarding services provided to youth; compiles information and prepares reports as requested.

Skills

Interviewing

Behavior management

Group leadership

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s Degree in Human Services or related

Tools

Intercom systems

Duress buttons

Computer-based reporting

Job description

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Des Moines seeks a Youth Service Worker to provide direct care and maintain security for youth. Under supervision, you will support intake, coordinate with court and social services, and help implement individual care plans.

Responsibilities include leading groups, counseling youth, documenting activities, and monitoring behavior. The role requires strong communication, ability to handle stressful situations, and willingness to work varied shifts.