Juvenile Detention Youth Worker (Part-time) (2)

Woodbury County; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodbury County invites applications for a Youth Worker to provide daily care, guidance, and recreational programs for juveniles aged 13-17 within the detention facility. This role supports counseling, assessment, and maintaining detention standards under the County Juvenile Detention Director.

You will receive juveniles, collect information, coordinate appointments, document observations, and assist with daily living activities, meals, hygiene, and safety while upholding Iowa juvenile codes and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or college diploma required.
• Two years of college with minimum one year juvenile work experience or equivalent.
• Ability to train and instruct personnel.
• Physically capable and medically cleared (physician verification).
• Knowledge of Iowa Juvenile Code and counseling skills preferred; mature under stress.

Responsibilities

• Receive juveniles and determine acceptability.
• Obtain information on alleged offenses.
• Screen juveniles for disposition at the facility.
• Prepare admission records and notify stakeholders.
• Orient juveniles and parties to facility policies.
• Maintain a safe, secure environment for detained youth.
• Supervise security and assist with behavioral, medical, and program needs.
• Coordinate activities within facility and with court/resource system.
• Record behavioral observations in logs/files.
• Apply behavior management techniques and conduct counseling sessions.
• Assist with Daily Living Program and hygiene skills.
• Coordinate meals, transportation, and daily cleanup.
• Be familiar with laws and Iowa Juvenile Code.

Skills

Listening skills

Communication skills

Training others

Education

High School Diploma

Two years of College

Job description

Responsible and accountable as a Youth Worker for the daily care, personal guidance, and recreational programs for juveniles, ages 13-17; help establish and maintain detention care life and standards; and assists with counseling, guidance, and evaluation of juveniles pursuant to regulations established in the Iowa Administrative Code under the direct authority of County Juvenile Detention Director and County Assistant Juvenile Detention Director

The following duties are typical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Responsible for receiving juveniles at the facility and determining acceptability
• Responsible for obtaining necessary/pertinent information regarding alleged offenses
• Will take an active part in the screening of juveniles to determine their acceptability and disposition at the facility
• Prepares records on each admission and notifies and advises parents or guardian, caseworker, intake officer, D.H.S. worker, lawyer, relevant agencies and significant others as to the procedures and process of the facility
• Will be responsible for orienting juveniles, parents, workers, lawyers, concerned agencies and significant others as to the policies, procedures and functions of the facility
• Advises the relevant parties as to the action that will be taken with the individual juvenile
• Responsible and accountable for providing a safe and secure environment for those juveniles detained
• Youth Worker directly supervises the security of all juveniles, assisting juveniles with their behavioral, emotional, medical and programming needs
• Responsible for coordinating activities at different levels within the facility, the judicial/juvenile court system, the juvenile resource system and the law enforcement system
• Will assist with coordinating appointments, court dates, transportation and communication between the juvenile workers, and system resources
• Will make behavioral observations and record them in the daily logs and the juvenile's files
• Will utilize behavior management skills including discipline and rewards at appropriate times
• Will interact with the juveniles on a one to one basis in counseling situations and juvenile total group situation
• Will implement the Daily Living Program and supervise the juveniles therein throughout the day in all areas of the Daily Living Program
• Will assist the juveniles in recognizing and maintaining good personal hygiene skills
• Will be aware of the juveniles medical and special needs and coordinate activities in these areas and be responsible for the completion of these duties and records
• Will assist with ordering meals, meal preparation and serving meals as well as snacks when appropriate. Will also assist and supervise the clean up after meal times
• Will assist with and supervise the daily cleanup and maintenance of the Facility
• Responsible for being knowledgeable of all laws and rules governing juvenile detention and receiving
• Must be knowledgeable of the Iowa Juvenile Code (chapter 232) and the Iowa Code as it applies to the Facility
• Must be knowledgeable of the various segments of the juvenile court and resource system including intake, D.H.S., probation/parole, youth serving agencies, and other components that make up the total system
• Will be responsible for being familiar with security measures as they apply to the Facility
• Will be responsible for becoming familiar with and implementing the policies and procedures of the facility as set forth by the Facility Handbook, and the Facility Director
• Will be familiar with basic counseling skills and techniques including good listening and communication skills
• Perform various other County Juvenile Detention related tasks/assignments/special projects as directed by the County Juvenile Detention Director and/or County Assistant Juvenile Detention Director
• Attendance is required

Minimum Education and Experience Required to Perform Essential Functions:

• A copy of H.S. or College Diploma is required
• Graduation from an accredited high school with two (2) years of college and a minimum of one (1) year of experience in working with juveniles in a facility or the community, or a combination of the above with substitution on a year for year basis
• Ability to train and instruct personnel
• Be physically capable of performing the duties expected of a Youth worker and be free of infectious and communicable diseases.Both of the above physical requirements will need to be verified by a report signed by a physician.
• Preference will be given to those that have existing knowledge of the Iowa Juvenile Code, Iowa Legal Code and counseling skillsMust possess the personal maturity to maintain equilibrium under unusual stress or social interaction pressure
• Candidate for hire must pass a mandatory child abuse/adult abuse and criminal history check, a physical examination, vision, back screen and drug screen prior to formal offer of employment

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. Candidate for hire must pass a mandatory child abuse/adult abuse and criminal history check, a physical examination, vision, back screen and drug screen prior to formal offer of employment. The use of clearly spoken English for the skills and purposes of this job. Attendance is required.

Applicants for employment should contact the Human Resources Dept., Room 701 of the Woodbury County Court House between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information

A copy of transcripts or diploma, a completed County application form and a resume are required.

Deadline for receipt of applications shall be: 4:30 p.m., October 5th, 2026 or until filled