VisionQuest - Child Care Worker

vq-career-page; Woolford (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Company-paid Life and Short-Term Disab

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

VisionQuest (VQ) is a national child, youth, and family services organization providing residential programming, community-based services, and in-home support across the United States. The Child-Care Worker role provides direct supervision for children in a VQ residential setting, fostering a safe, learning-focused environment with trauma-informed practices and adherence to state and federal policies.

This position supports safety, engagement, training, and documentation, with day and night

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be 21+ years old.
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Cleared TB test and background checks.
• CPR/First Aid and CPI certification within 180 days.
• Valid driver’s license and eligible to drive.
• Must become Certified Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner within 180 days.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision of children in care.
• Maintain safety and order during activities and transitions.
• Demonstrate trauma-informed, supportive approaches.
• Assist with planning special events and community activities.
• Document progress, behavior, and health records.
• Participate in required training and compliance.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organized

Team player

Cultural sensitivity

Confidentiality

Emergency response

Emotional intelligence

Policy adherence

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

Child-Care Worker (CCW) provides direct care supervision for children placed in a VQ residential setting. This role is responsible for fostering a safe environment that facilitates learning and behavioral management in a supportive manner in accordance with VQ, local state and federal policies and procedures.

*DAY & NIGHT SHIFTS AVAILABLE

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Child Supervision and Engagement:
  • Provide direct supervision of children in care and maintain line of sight at all times.
  • Provide oversight during recreation, mealtime, leisure time, and play.
  • Develops positive rapport with youth while serving as a role model to create a safe and caring environment utilizing a trauma informed approach.
  • Teach, coach, and supervise children in activities of daily living including morning, bedtime, and overnight procedures, hygiene and cleanliness, housekeeping, meals, intramurals, sports, academics, and extracurricular activities both on and off facility.
  • Interact with children including playing games or during recreational time.
  • Conducts orientation and overview of program services and program rules.
  • Provides essential needs to children such as clothing, hygiene products, shower, bedroom assignments, and cooking meals when needed.
  • Assists with the planning and coordination of special educational events, acculturation activities, holiday celebrations, recreational outings, and school drop off/pick-ups.
  • Assist with children's appointments including but not limited to legal, medical and dental.
  • Administer over the counter and prescribed medications.
• Safety:
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and hazard-free facility by maintaining clean common areas, restrooms, kitchen, laundry, and outdoor areas.
  • Responsible for reporting all maintenance and supply needs.
  • Assist in the evacuation of children as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences.
  • Responsible for the documentation of the child's progress, behavior, and health while in care.
  • Observe, report, and document identified behavior patterns and required information that merit documentation such as progress notes, close observation, nightwatch checklist, bed check logs, outing logs, incident reports, etc.
• Training and Compliance:
  • Assist with providing training to new hires regarding role responsibilities within VisionQuest.
  • Participate in departmental, all staff, mandatory, and needed training opportunities.
  • Follow Occupational Health and Safety protocols.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor(s).

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and understanding of all children served.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
• Must be able to assist with emergency situations.
• Demonstrate and maintain emotional intelligence for effective self-care and as a role-model for the Child Care Worker team.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with peers, colleagues, and others to achieve mission goals and objectives.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent degree required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Flexible schedule (evening, weekends, holidays) to facilitate program services.
• Cleared tuberculosis test results.
• May be required to pass a drug test.
• Cleared background checks from appropriate entities, including Child Abuse and Neglect and FBI criminal background.
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be eligible to drive to facilitate program services as required.
• Must become a Certified Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner within 180 days of employment.

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.
• Must be able to provide First Aid and CPR.
• Must be able to perform physical holds as instructed in Crisis Prevention Intervention training (CPI).