Youth Worker

Youth Worker

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Looking for a qualified Youth Worker responsible for supervising youth and coordinating programs at the Juvenile Services Detention Home. Qualified applicants must be able to communicate effectively with at-risk and troubled youth and work in a team environment. Work is performed in a team environment under the regular supervision of the facility administration.

Successful candidate may be asked to fill in at other facilities and on other shifts in emergencies. Associate's degree from a two-year college or technical school in criminal justice or behavior sciences or related field preferred. High School/GED and some combination of related experience will be considered. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Entry level pay starting at $18.83/hr this position offers a 3-tier paid progression program based on training completed, experience, certification and performance.

Essential duties and responsibilities include enforcing adolescents' compliance with program rules and regulations, maintaining discipline and control of adolescents at all times with sight and/or sound supervisions, checking rooms for contraband, weapons, and general condition of room, observing and documenting adolescent behavior constantly to detect potential behavioral problems and preparing detailed reports on incidents, supervising residents participation in recreational activities such as arts and crafts and indoor and outdoor sports and table games, routinely making head counts of detainee population as needed, answering telephone, responding to routine questions, and/or transferring calls to appropriate staff, instructing and participating directly in various activities with adolescents, intervening and resolving disputes between adolescents utilizing mediation and counseling skills;

physically restraining out-of-control/violent adolescents as needed, inspecting facility to ensure ongoing security issues, assigning and supervising residents in light housekeeping tasks such as making beds, dusting furniture, mopping floors, and assisting in preparing and cleaning after meals, eating with residents at meals and supervising seating and serving, as well as table manners and general behavior, supervising and educating residents in bathing and personal hygiene, reviewing and preparing reports on residents' behavior and progress;

monitoring activity contract documents; reviewing progress with adolescents, conducting intake and release procedures; preparing discharge reports, counseling adolescents and assisting with problem solving, completing required documentation, monitoring visitation by family, friends and others, administering first aid and/or CPR as required, administering medications as prescribed, issuing and maintaining supplies and equipment, assisting teachers and adolescents in their educational requirements, transporting residents to and from necessary appointments with medical providers and others, planning, preparing and implementing daily program in assigned areas.

Additional duties may include providing direct or indirect service to the citizens and accepting special assignments and performing as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery during unusual situations or a State of Emergency.

Qualifications to perform this job successfully include an associate's degree from a two-year college or technical school in criminal justice or behavior sciences or related field preferred. High School/GED and some combination of related experience will be considered. Possession of valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria. Prior to employment, must satisfactorily complete criminal record and reference checks, Child Protective Services check, and tuberculin and drug screen.

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the City's goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services. Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS);

the City's contribution is based on a rate determined bi-annually by the VRS Board and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit; life insurance at no cost to the employee; optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.; eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance; paid time off. Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits…