Shelter Care Staff

ICES: Data, Discovery, Better Health; Jacksonville (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Midwest Youth Services seeks shelter staff to oversee and support youth participants in a residential setting. The role includes supervising residents, maintaining records, and ensuring safety and compliance with shelter rules.

The position requires trauma-informed knowledge, effective communication, and the ability to work independently while adhering to confidentiality and program policies. Applicants should be prepared for standby and live-time shifts in a shelter environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of childcare and trauma-informed approaches required.
• Strong communication to support and motivate youth.
• Ability to work independently and follow policy procedures.

Responsibilities

• Accept, process, and care for youth participants enrolled in the shelter.
• Provide daily supervision and support for residents; monitor health, safety, and shelter rules compliance.
• Maintain accurate records and logs with pertinent information and participant needs.
• Ensure shelter is kept neat, orderly, and safe for participants and staff.
• Respect supervisor, coworkers, and property of Midwest Youth Services.

Skills

Childcare knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Effective communication

Independent work

Policy compliance

Job description

This position consists of "standby" and "live time" coverage. Staff are scheduled 30 days in advance for the upcoming months coverage based on their availability. Staff are compensated for each shift they are on stand by at a flat rate. Live time is considered hourly in shelter work hours that the staff is compensated for when youth are housed.

Accepts, processes, and cares for the youth participants enrolled in the Youth Emergency Shelter; serves as daily supervision and support of the residents, monitors activity of participants to ensure health, safety, security, and compliance of shelter rules; maintains accurate and complete records and logs containing pertinent information and individual participants needs; ensures that the shelter is maintained in neat and proper order.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge and skills in the field of childcare, at risk youth, and trauma informed status necessary. Ability to communicate effectively with participants in order to support, encourage, lead, and motivate positive behavior. Ability to work independently, communicate with program supervisor and collaborative partners, and maintain policy and procedure expectations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Shelter staff and volunteers must be in good physical and mental health. An initial medical exam will need to be completed. Reevaluations will be required every 2 years.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

The shelter care staff must maintain client confidentiality at all times. Breach of client confidentiality may result in immediate discharge from Midwest Youth Services.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

There is a probationary period of six months. The shelter care staff will have an evaluation at the end of three months to review progress, and at the end of six months to again review progress. After the six-month review, a decision to retain employment will be made. Thereafter, the shelter care staff will be evaluated annually upon their employment anniversary date.

APPEARANCE:

It is expected the shelter care staff will wear appropriate, positive attire while housing is filled with program participants.

It is equally believed the shelter care staff will maintain self in a responsible manner at all times both around program participants and within the community.

The shelter care staff will respect the position of their supervisor, coworkers, and property of Midwest Youth Services.