SUMMARY:

The primary responsibility of the Youth Care Shift leader (YCSL (Shelter))/Lead Youth Care Worker (LYCW (Foster)) is to provide strategic leadership, oversee the youth care department and the provision of daily supervision to ensure the health and safety of the children in care. The YCSL/LYCW will be responsible for the supervision of youth care staff including oversight of staff to child ratio to ensure the department is adequately staffed to provide supervision, in compliance with ORR Policies and Procedures, child welfare practices, and Minimum Standards. The YCSL/LYCW will be responsible for providing direct care services and overseeing child activities to meet the needs of the program. The YCWSL/LYCW must demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, and self-control in the presence of children and when performing assigned responsibilities.

This is a full-time position and is required to work at a childcare facility under the supervision of the Staff Supervisor, Assistant Director, Program Director, or designee. May be subject to work overtime, shiftwork, and on-call duties including evenings, weekends, and holidays for all program related issues/emergencies.

Essential Duties:

• Provide strategic leadership, oversee the youth care department and the provision of daily supervision to ensure the health and safety of the children in care.
• Provide direct care services and oversee child activities to meet the needs of the program.
• Coordinate the proper completion of capacity management to ensure appropriate discharge of children in the child’s Official System of Record as determined by ORR Policy and Procedures.
• Conduct monthly meetings and training for childcare staff, providing support and guidance, reviewing performance evaluations, and completion and reporting of Incidents.
• Oversee all behavioral documentation within the program’s internal youth behavioral management system.
• Consult and collaborate with program administration, case management, and clinical staff in the development and implementation of safety and supervision plans.
• Create schedules to ensure children are provided with twenty-four (24) hour supervision.
• Review, report, and complete documentation submitted by Youth Care Workers.
• Administer, document, and secure all prescribed and over the counter medication as instructed by a licensed physician (this includes after hours).
• Conduct intake services to include but not limited to completing necessary paperwork, providing children with an overview of the program services for initial placements of children into the care.
• Provide basic needs to children upon arrival to the program (this includes but is not limited to meal, clothing, hygiene products, shower, and bedroom assignment).
• Must ensure all forms and progress notes are properly completed to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of special educational/acculturational events which include but are not limited to: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, recreational events (movies, amusement parks, festivals, etc.)
• Assist in the coordination of student council activities and other meaningful experiences for all children which promotes learning and community.
• Facilitate recreational activities and other large muscle activities according to recreational calendar as required by state and federal requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and hazard-free facility. This includes regular maintenance and general cleaning of common areas including restrooms and kitchen, rotation of laundry (linen, towels and clothes) duty, and general maintenance of outdoor areas (to include but not limited to backyard, playground, and parking lot).
• Encourage the professional growth of staff through training and development opportunities.
• Participate in interviewing potential new employees.
• Responsible for the supervision of children care staff including oversight of staff to child ratio to ensure the department is adequately staffed to provide supervision, in compliance with ORR Policies and Procedures, child welfare practices, and Minimum Standards.
• Provide oversight of Staff performance and disciplinary needs in conjunction with program administration.
• May assist with Fire and Active Shooter drills.
• May assist with keeping inventory.
• Maintain professional and ethical standards as prescribed by Hands of Healing.
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of staff, children, and program operations.
• Demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, and self-control in the presence of children and when performing assigned responsibilities.
• Role model a professional demeanor at all times. Showing compassion for others; responding appropriately to the emotional response of children and staff; demonstrating respect for others; demonstrating a calm, compassionate, and helpful demeanor toward those in need; being supportive and understanding.
• Attend all organizational required training that will enhance professional growth in the area of Youth Care Department with pre-approval from Program Director or designee.
• Continually seek opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Attend all departmental and program meetings to ensure that up-to-date information is received and/or information of policy changes or practice are adhered to.
• Must have the ability to accompany Agency as needed during an evacuation because of hurricane, severe weather, fire, natural disaster, terrorist activity, disease outbreak, or any other reason that necessitates an evacuation to some other location.
• Willing to travel if needed for trainings, conferences or to transport children to destination if reunified within the U.S.
• Adhere to the Cooperative Agreement and DFPS minimum standards, HOH and ORR policies and procedures.
• Must annually maintain any professional or para-professional certifications acquired while employed with Hands of Healing.
• Report any suspected abuse or neglect according to DFPS and ORR protocol.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and hazard-free work area.
• Adhere to HOH’s ICARE core values, I – integrity, C – compassion, A – accountability,

R – respect, E – excellence/equality.

• Able to react professionally and productively to change and handle other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of hire.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must be computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft windows (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule.
• Must have clear background to be employed in a childcare facility.
• Must have clear Tuberculosis test result.
• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing (English/Spanish).
• Must be eligible to drive as required by the position to facilitate program services.
• Must be approved by ORR.
• Subject to random drug screening.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to obtain and perform Emergency Behavior Intervention Training (EBI)/Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and First Aid (CPR). 
• Must be able to visually and auditorily supervise youth indoors and outdoors throughout the entire duration of their shift which may last 12 or more hours.
• Must be prepared and physically able to respond with appropriate protocol in a variety of dynamic supervision situations with children 0-17 years in age. In a sudden or emergency event, staff must be at all times physically able to run, jump, lunge, twist, push, pull, apply HOH approved restraint techniques, and otherwise manage or coerce the full weight of an adolescent.
• All staff must be physically and mentally able to manage youth who become uncooperative, sick, violent, or display any other form of harmful or threating behavior.
• Bending, stooping, and lifting to 25lbs required to complete daily tasks. Must be prepared to administer emergency First Aid, CPR, or EBI/CPI techniques of youth, regardless of the time of day or hour of the staff’s shift, the size of the youth, or the staff’s level of personal fatigue.
• All staff must be able to maintain clarity of thought throughout the entirety of a shift and be able to respond quickly to duress or circumstances requiring immediate action.

Work Environment:

Work is at youth care facility at which children receive multiple services, predominantly indoors with occasional outdoor activities. May be required to use professional protective equipment to prevent potential exposure to communicable diseases; working indoor or outdoor in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions; exposure to hazards. Two shifts (day/night) per twenty-four-hour period (Shelter). The YCW schedule will ensure twenty-four (24) hour continuity of supervision and care (Shelter). Work shifts are subject to change to meet the needs of the program.

ORR staffing ratios policy indicates one (1) Youth Care Worker for every eight (8) children during waking hours, and one (1) Youth Care Worker for every sixteen (16) children during sleeping hours to provide appropriate supervision of youth. Work shifts are subject to change.

Employees may be exposed to inclement weather conditions. Position may require staff to eating meals with children during shift.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Hands Of Healing to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of age, race, creed/religion, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, genetic information or genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, partnership status, victim of domestic violence, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.