Youth Services Worker

Job Location

This position is located on the Missouri Hills Campus in St. Louis County, based at 13300 Bellefontaine Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63138.

Working with the Division of Youth Services is more than it seems. You will be working with staff to create a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in our day treatment and residential programs.

To succeed in this position you must be empathetic, nonjudgmental, cooperative, encouraging, able-bodied, professional, respectful; you must be able to communicate clearly, honestly and openly.

We also offer a variety of great benefits including health, dental, vision, paid holidays, cafeteria plans, retirement, and more.

Join us and help make the difference for our youth today! The current rate for this position is $1,770.90–$1,953.62 semi-monthly. Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g., shift, or time‑of‑service pay).

The following tasks are the responsibility of the Youth Services Worker:

• Provide Awareness Supervision to youth, with responsibility for personal conduct, care, and therapy.
• Monitor activity, behavior, and movement of youth both within a residential/day treatment setting or while escorting youth off grounds; performing physical counts as necessary.
• Maintain security, including intervention and/or fully participate in physical restraints of youth during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain physical control.
• Supervise youth in residential/day treatment facilities in the performance of work activities and during recreational and religious activities; conduct inspections for health and safety hazards.
• Assist youth with personal issues and refer issues to the group in accordance with the principles of the program. Observe and keep staff informed daily of significant behavioral conditions of an individual or the group.
• Implement group and individual treatment plans.
• Maintain professional boundaries, modeling a reasonable, respectful, and professional demeanor at all times. Interact positively with youth, families, co‑workers, management, and the public.
• Prepare reports on each client's adjustment and progress; maintain youth records.
• Dispense medications to youth. Intervene in youth medical emergencies, performing first‑aid interventions such as CPR.
• Transport and escort youth in everyday and emergency situations.
• Work on shifts and attend mandatory meetings during evening, overnight, or daytime hours as assigned by the supervisor and respond to facility emergencies. Report all hours worked and absences accurately. Log work time daily in accordance with policy and submit timesheets to supervisor as directed.
• Assist in the educational program.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior; knowledge of child development and the role of the family; knowledge of the causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of youth treatment.

Ability to work with youth and family members; foster cooperation of youth in the treatment process; physically respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies; learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de‑escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures; transport youth and travel as necessary.

Sixty or more earned credit hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum of six earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following:
Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work.
OR 2–4 years of relevant experience.

(Earned credit hours from an accredited college or university may substitute on a year‑for‑year basis for a maximum of three years of the required experience at a rate of 30 earned credit hours for one year.)

Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant.

Special requirement: possession of a valid driver’s license.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Total compensation extends beyond pay. The Interactive Total Compensation Calculator provides a comprehensive view of benefits.