Youth Services & Security Specialist

Polk-County,-Ia; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Youth Service Worker to provide direct care for youth and maintain safety within the facility. You will back up intake, conduct interviews, monitor progress, and help implement individual care plans.

Responsibilities include counseling, reporting, incident documentation, and coordination with families and other agencies. Must maintain composure, communicate effectively, and work in a structured, high-stress environment;

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Three years of relevant work experience in an institutional setting dealing with the welfare of dependent or delinquent youth, or
• Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or related, and
• One year of relevant work experience in an institutional setting dealing with the welfare of dependent or delinquent youth, or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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.
• Provides back up for transportation of youth at the detention facility.
• Makes verbal, written and computerized reports of all occurrences happening during a shift; maintains thorough records of services provided; prepares other reports as directed; maintains continuous internal communications with facility staff; utilizes intercom system, telephone system, and wireless communication systems.
• Contacts parents, law enforcement personnel, and representatives from other social service or community agencies to share program information, coordinate services, and resolve problems.
• Dispenses medication and performs minor medical duties.
• Assists in ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of youth; assists in maintaining security by conducting and recording periodic bedroom checks, ensuring doors are locked and secure, observing and reporting youth behavior and/or suspicious activities, and detecting and confiscating contraband/or weapons; performs personal and room searches; may be required to physically restrain youth under certain situations; observes for potential escapes; notifies management and control center of emergency situations.
• Participates in weekly staff meetings.
• Completes housekeeping duties as needed. May assist in setting up and serving meals.
• Provides technical assistance to clerical/support staff as directed as assigned.
• May transport youth outside of the facility as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interviewing

Group leadership

Behavior observation

Record keeping

Crisis management

Communication

Diversity awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s Degree in Human Services/psychology/sociology/criminal justice or related

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Computer literacy

Security/system operation

Job description

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Youth Service Worker to provide direct care for youth and maintain safety within the facility. You will back up intake, conduct interviews, monitor progress, and help implement individual care plans.

Responsibilities include counseling, reporting, incident documentation, and coordination with families and other agencies. Must maintain composure, communicate effectively, and work in a structured, high-stress environment;