Youth Worker

Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois; Vernon (IL); On-site; USD 26,725 - 29,480; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Development/Training

Health and Wellness

Work/Life Balance

Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Program

Job summary

A child welfare agency in Illinois is seeking a Youth Worker to contribute to a shelter dedicated to the well-being of youth. This full-time role involves monitoring youth, engaging in activities, and providing support during crises. Candidates should have a high school diploma and strong interpersonal skills. Benefits include professional development opportunities, health and wellness support, and tuition assistance. Ideal for those eager to make a positive impact on children's lives.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and their application in working with youth.
• Ability to enforce facility rules and regulations, resolve conflicts, and respond to emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and supervise youth in a shelter facility to ensure their safety.
• Assist youth with daily activities and participate in recreation activities.
• Respond to crisis situations promptly and effectively.

Skills

Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles

Conflict resolution skills

Ability to apply group living guidelines

Positive role modeling

Ability to enforce facility rules

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Gain a meaningful career helping children and families thrive. If you have a desire to help others, this might be the place for you. Join our welcoming environment and make an impact!

The team at LCFS brings their best to the important work of strengthening families and building futures for children and parents. As a leading child welfare agency with 16 locations across Illinois, our mission is to nurture and strengthen children and families in need. Be a part of a team that is a leader in innovative best practice and strong child welfare outcomes!

Full Time Employee Benefits

• Professional Development/ Training and Support
• Health and Wellness
• Work/Life Balance
• Life Insurance & Disability Insurance
• Employee Recognition/Staff Engagement
• Tuition Assistance/ Reimbursement Program (up to $3,000/year after first year of employment)
• Employer paid licensure for LCSW and LCPC
• University tuition discount available upon hire:
• Chamberlain University: 10% discount
• Lewis University: 20% discount
• National Louis University: 10% discount
• Extensive Leadership Training and Professional Development Classes
• LGBTQ+ Training
• Supervisory support
• Public Loan Forgiveness Organization

Equal Opportunity Employer

LCFS is an equal opportunity employer and consideration for employment is made without regard to: race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Position: Youth Worker

Location: Mt. Vernon, IL

Employment Type: Full‑time (Non‑exempt, Non‑management)

Position Title: Youth Care Worker

Salary Range: $19.40 - $21.40

Benefits: Click Here to view LCFS’ Full‑Time Employee Benefits.

Essential Functions:

• Primarily responsible for the continual monitoring and supervision of youth in a staff‑secure emergency shelter facility, ensuring their well‑being safety during daily activities such as bedtime, wake‑ups, showers, meals, recreation, classroom work, and assigned projects. May drive the agency owned van and transport youth to school and various activities. Provide on‑call support as needed.
• Reviews all youth’s admission notes, initiating relationships, and gaining awareness of individual problems, behaviors, and needs. Develops an understanding of normal and abnormal behaviors and stays informed about each youth’s treatment plan.
• Actively participates in recreation activities with individual youth and groups. Assists the Recreation Coordinator in structuring youth in care free time, organizing and facilitating group activities such as sports, games, movies, and conversations.
• Supervises and assists youth with daily cleaning and custodial duties, ensuring proper cleanliness and organization of the assigned unit.
• Learns Program Plan, Rule 384, Resident Manual, and Agency standards. Sets expectations for youth, developing disciplinary techniques in alignment with regulations.
• Evaluates youth continually, recording behavior changes, incidents (Significant Event reports, and facilitates behavior modification programs as required by STAC.
• Provides intake services for all new youth, including logging personal property, assisting with showers and personal hygiene, providing program orientation, and explaining all rules and regulations.
• Responds to crisis situations and emergencies promptly and effectively, following established protocols. Performs therapeutic crisis intervention, including physical restraints when necessary, and takes appropriate disciplinary action.
• Identifies signs of illness and injuries, developing an awareness of each youth's physical health. Requests help if unsure about a youth’s health and follows medical directives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Ability Requirements:

• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care principles and their application in working with youth. Knowledge of verbal de‑escalation techniques and taking appropriate corrective steps. Ability to enforce facility rules and regulations, resolve conflicts, respond to emergencies, and take authoritative action issuing discipline and physical contact policy, utilizing strong skills in conflict resolution.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for youth in care.
• Must possess the ability to apply and implement group living guidelines.
• Must be able to develop a working knowledge of the legal operations of the facility and be able to apply appropriate procedures to ongoing operations accordingly.
• Contributes information, ideas, and suggestions; works to improve the milieu.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality in the performance of duties working within the guideline established by statute, the court, the Probation Department, and DCFS.

Background and Driving Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background checks, including but not limited to criminal background checks and CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System) checks, as required by law and agency policy. Candidates must also possess a reliable vehicle and have a valid driver’s license and must not have had a suspended or revoked driver’s license within the past three years.

Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent; additional education or certification in youth services is a plus. Previous experience working with adolescents in a residential or similar setting is preferred.

Physical Demands and Other Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties listed in the job description satisfactorily. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, or controls; reach with hands and arms. Capable of operating standard office equipment, including a computer and keyboard, calculator, typical business machines such as a fax machine and copier. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to have valid driver’s license, auto insurance and must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. The work environment characteristics include a noise level which is usually low to moderate.

Position Responsibilities/Program Execution and Decision Making: Diversity and Inclusion/Professionalism: In all aspects of their work presents as a role model to others, behaving in a way which actively supports LCFS as a welcoming community, promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and collaborates with others to further equity and dismantle barriers to a more inclusive experience of community. Participates in annual professional development and/or advocacy regarding inclusion.

Ethical Conduct: Follows all ethics policies and procedures related to program execution and decision making as defined by the agency as well as any related professional licensing, regulatory or accrediting body. Maintain confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information. Reports any known or suspected breaches of confidentiality in accordance with policy. Reports possible misconduct or relevant errors/ oversight in a timely manner and responsibly addresses related issues with chain of command.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills: Consistently conveys clear, accurate, timely, and respectful communication appropriate for the situation. Informs appropriate management staff when incident occurs or a crisis situation. Maintains professional boundaries with clients/youth in care, staff, interns, volunteers, and vendors. Able to successfully share skills and concepts with others and works effectively with others under time and environmental pressures.

Safety and Agency Resource Utilization: Demonstrates sound judgement and foresight in safety awareness and in daily work. Notifies, in a timely manner, the supervisory chain of any incidents or circumstances that need attention. Report all suspicions or allegations of abuse immediately to their supervisor. Ensures appropriate utilization of materials and resources and minimizes waste.

Other Responsibilities: All other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

We expect the LCFS organizational culture to be color cognizant, believing in the importance of racial and ethnic differences because of their profound impact on individuals, groups, communities and society, as well as acknowledging the accompanying widespread racism and discrimination in our broader society. We expect that within the organization there be explicit, productive conversations about the role of race and culture in the work we do, as well as advocacy for addressing the social injustices that result from systemic racism.