Risk Youth Worker - JIU

At-Risk Youth Worker

Please note:

The Juvenile Intervention Unit is a 24-hour facility and this position may include working hours on days, afternoons, midnights and/or weekends. Work performed in the Juvenile Intervention Unit will be paid at a higher hourly rate of II-E, wage range: $21.74 - $28.60 hourly.

Under direction, the At-Risk Youth Worker is a professional level position providing for the care, safety and security of the students, staff, residents, and visitors within the Day Treatment/Night Watch Program or the secure Juvenile Intervention Unit. This position assists in the implementation of programs, serves as a role model and enforces rules within a Behavioral Management setting by providing positive and negative reinforcements to youth.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Closely supervise youth of the DTNW Program or the Juvenile Intervention Unit to ensure adequate safety measures are met and order is maintained.
• Provides leadership and observes, confronts, and redirects youth behavior within a Behavioral Management setting. Refers acute problems to appropriate staff members.
• Assists the educational provider in whatever manner necessary to provide appropriate schooling and school related activities to students, as needed.
• Immediately report any suspected abuse or neglect of youth.
• Assist the clinical provider in whatever manner necessary to provide appropriate emotional supports to youth.
• Participate in staff and team meetings as requested to discuss observations of youth behavior.
• Serve as an empathetic listener to youth on topics such as family, problems, court hearings, homework, and general interpersonal relationships.
• Prepare reports and documents, summarize youth progress, incidents, behavior, and other required information for use by probation officers, clinicians, the court, and others.
• Oversee, referee and supervise recreational activities.
• Intervene as necessary in crisis situations. Follow policy and procedural guidelines for physical restraint and management.
• Perform duties at either program (DTNW or JIU) as assigned.
• Maintain and enforce DTNW/JIU policies, rules, and regulations.
• May temporarily assume duties and responsibilities of Shift Leader in his/her absence.
• Consistently model professional interactions with supervisor, youth, co-workers, family members and others connected to the program.
• Provides first aid and investigates illness or injury complaints to determine the need for additional medical services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:
Work is performed under the direction of the Circuit Court Family Division Administrator and the Director of Juvenile Services with direct supervision by the Program Manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Experience, Skills,

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited high school (GED acceptable) supplemented by college coursework in the following areas:
  Child Development, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or a closely related field required.
• Associates degree with a major in Child Development, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or a closely related field preferred.
• Please note that state licensing requires that applicants must have earned thirty college credits at a minimum prior to being hired.
• 1 to 3 years of responsible work experience required; experience working with at-risk or delinquent youth preferred.
• An equivalent combination of relevant professional work experience supplemented by technical training, and/or certification may substitute for education requirement.
• Ability to remain calm and appropriately manage emergencies.
• Writing, reading, mathematical principles; proficient computer skills-Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook; exercise sound judgment and decision making in accordance with policies and procedures; ability to research and problem solve independently; knowledge of County operations and functions; ability to prioritize and time manage; handle stressful situations, provide effective and friendly customer service; support the County's mission and values; ability to think critically where necessary.
• Knowledge or understanding of basic administrative tasks: operate standard office equipment; document management; prepare and maintain records, various correspondences and reports; answer general inquiries and refer as necessary; answer telephone calls, process mail, order supplies/equipment; prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, record/transcribe/distribute minutes; entering, transcribing, recording, storing or maintaining information in written or electronic form with speed and accuracy; maintain calendars, arrange meetings, schedule rooms and equipment as necessary.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with management, co-workers and clients; obtain and communicate accurate information; apply common sense understanding to complex instructions and respond accordingly; communicate complex ideas through graphs, charts, presentations, reports or other…