Youth Worker

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!

• 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

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:  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…