CATHOLIC GUARDIAN SERVICES
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION Youth Care Worker, Unaccompanied Alien Children Services Program
DEPARTMENT Family Support Services
REPORTS TO: Lead Shift Youth Care Worker
CGS’s Unaccompanied Alien Children Services Program serves children/youth presenting a range of challenging behaviors, especially those related to symptoms of trauma. The Program’s services are provided by bilingual (Spanish/English) staff who receives specialized training in the special needs of refugee children and in Evidence-Based Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). The program provides a safe, therapeutic environment in a family-like setting that addresses the requirements of each child/youth in a manner that is sensitive to his or her age; preserves cultural, ethnic and religious heritage; and meets dietary needs, native language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other critical individual needs. The program operates under the overall supervision of the Program Director.
BASIC FUNCTION
The youth care worker works as scheduled in the shelter, providing supervision, support and direction to children fostering their positive growth and development; maintains a hazard free , clean and orderly household; prepares meals to conform to menus; completes all required logs, forms and reports; participates in meetings as scheduled; accompanies groups or individual children for outside activities or appointments.
DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES
Provides a warm, homelike atmosphere by establishing an individual relationship with each child focusing on that child’s positive growth and development.
Under the supervision of the Lead Shift Youth Care Worker, ensures an orderly schedule for the children by supervising their daily activities: wake-up, school or other program attendance, mealtime, study time, assigned age appropriate chores and bedtime, monitors individual appointments for each child to ensure punctual attendance.
Monitors each child’s physical well being, ensuring suitable clothing, adequate food and all required medical treatments, including the dispensing of medication.
Communicates and reinforces structure and limits with each child; applies positive discipline in a fair and objective manner and appropriate to level of development.
Accompanies and transports children to outside activities (including supervised recreation) and appointments as required.
Maintains a hazard free, clean and orderly household by promptly reporting maintenance problems to the supervisory staff and by completion of assigned household chores in a timely and efficient manner.
Prepares meals and snacks under the assignment and direction of the Lead Youth care worker according to posted menus.
Hold petty cash and other valuables of the home as assigned and dispenses according to agency procedures.
Completes all required reports and logs for the Home.
Participates in meetings as required and ensures that treatment plans and programs are carried out on a daily basis.
Attends training and workshops as required by agency to enhance professional growth and child care competency levels.
SCHEDULE
To be assigned by the Assistant Program Director. Position requires flexibility and availability for emergency and appropriate coverage of shelter.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Must have knowledge and ability to help children with school work.
Must have the ability to support, nurture and provide positive discipline to children in a structured environment, as evidenced by professional child care experience and continued training. Must have proven skills in cooking and household maintenance.
Must project emotional stability, patience and social experience in order to permit the formation of a professional relationship and adult role model with children and their families, including those with different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and languages.
Must have warm and nurturing qualities, linked to an ability to actively listen to children, establish rapport and ability to motivate.
Must posses and demonstrate values which reflect the agency’s Mission Statements.
Respects all Agency policies and procedures and shares in the Agency’s goals in creating a community of care for children and families.
QUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma or GED
2 yrs. professional child care experience preferred
Valid New York Drivers License required
Proficiency in the Spanish language required
|