At-Risk Youth Worker Jobs

Under direction, the At-Risk Youth Worker is a professional level position providing for the care, safety and security of the students, staff and visitors to the program. 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:

• Provides leadership and observes, confronts, and redirects youth behavior within a Behavioral Management setting. Refers acute problems to appropriate staff members.
• Assist the clinical provider in whatever manner necessary to provide appropriate emotional supports to youth.
• Consistently model professional interactions with supervisor, youth, co-workers, family members and others connected to the program.
• Perform duties at either DTNW program location as assigned.
• 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.
• Provides first aid and investigates illness or injury complaints to determine the need for additional medical services.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Participate in staffing and team meetings as requested to discuss observations of youth behavior.
• Oversee, referee and supervise recreational activities.
• Maintain and enforce DTNW policies, rules, and regulations.
• 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.
• Transport youth to/from home, court appointments, community service projects, recreational outings, etc.
• Closely supervise youth of the DTNW Program to ensure adequate safety measures are met and order is maintained.
• Intervene as necessary in crisis situations. Follow policy and procedural guidelines for physical restraint and management.
• May temporarily assume duties and responsibilities of Shift Leader in his/her absence.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the direction of the Probate Court - Family Division Administrator and the Director of Youth Services with direct supervision by the Program Manager.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
N/A
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION:

• 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 professional correspondence.
• 1 to 3 years of responsible work experience required; experience working with at-risk or delinquent youth preferred.
• 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.
• Associates degree with a major in Child Development, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or a closely related field 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.
• 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.
• 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.

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES FOR ALL ST. CLAIR COUNTY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

• Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others such as County officials, employees, vendors and the general public.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Adaptability to change in the work environment, managing competing demands and ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
• Ability to work under supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline.
• Ability to interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, manuals to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to: Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook required. Proficiency may be tested.
• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Ability to read, write & communicate in English; follow written and verbal instruction and understand basic mathematics and figure checking.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain sensitive and confidential information.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check. The background check is understood to encompass all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, Central Registry clearance, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, credit check, school and employment records, home environment, personal traits, integrity and professional and personal references. Candidate must successfully complete an annual background check throughout employment in the position in order maintain satisfactory qualifications.
• This position will require irregular hours and work schedules will include nights, weekends, holidays and unanticipated overtime.
• Must obtain chauffer's license within 10 days of appointment in the position and maintain this license throughout as a condition of continued employment.
• Possess a valid State of Michigan Operator's License and maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's vehicle policy throughout employment in this position.
• Successfully complete all required training as mandated by the department and state regulations.
• Possess a valid CPR, first aid and AED certification, or successfully complete the training within ninety (90) days of employment in the position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Push or pull carts, reach with hands and arms forward, above and below shoulder level.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate with many interruptions.
• Read, interpret and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals.
• Work involves an element of risk in dealing with the physical and emotional behavior of youth
• Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Lift, move or carry objects, equipment and supplies weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• This position will require irregular hours and work schedules will include nights, weekends, holidays and unanticipated overtime.
• Specific vision requirement includes close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception.
• Stand and walk for significant periods of time, climb stairs.
• Good physical condition which will mean the fitness to be able to apprehend and to exert the force necessary to implement physical restraint and management techniques to subdue and control individuals who require physical intervention.
• Speak to others to convey information effectively.
• This position involves contact with people harboring potentially communicable diseases and is frequently at risk to exposure from bodily fluids. Tasks require the use of Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves and hand sanitizer.
• Sit, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner.
• Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials and operate equipment.

Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job requirements or duties performed. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: It is the policy of St. Clair County not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability that does not prevent performing essential job functions or because he or she is a protected veteran.