Youth Care Worker 1st Shift - Upbring

About Upbring 

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About our Children's Shelters

Many children begin life in the face of serious challenges. Instead of playing pretend and imagining grand adventures, unaccompanied children face perilous conditions alone as they travel to unfamiliar countries, leaving home and loved ones behind to escape war and violence. Our children’s centers, operated through a grant from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR), provide safety, stability and wraparound services. We help children grow into adults who have received love and kindness, instead of only violence and chaos.

1st Shift - 

What You'll Do as a Youth Care Worker

The Youth Care Worker is responsible for providing direct care supervision and maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for Unaccompanied Children (UC) in accordance with Office of Refugee Resettlement(ORR) licensing standards, Agency, program, policies, standards, other federal, state, CARF and local regulatory requirements.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders in the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

All Upbring Children's Shelters employees must comply with ORR's vaccination mandate. 

All staff must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children (UC). Medical and Religious exemptions may be requested after an offer of employment is accepted. 

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards for a Youth Care Worker

• Conduct intake services for incoming UC to include, but not limited to: completing the necessary paperwork and assessment, providing the UC with an overview of the program services, and assist with the initial placement; assist with new UC orientation
• Provide basic needs to UC upon arrival to the program, which includes, but is not limited to meal, clothing, hygiene products, shower, bedroom assignment; support routines of UC through assistance and supervision of wake-up, bedtime, personal care, completion of chores, homework, meals, recreational activities, and laundry
• Perform behavior management, oversee therapeutic activities, and crisis intervention
• Supervise UC and set appropriate behavior limits in accordance with the UC’s individual treatment and behavior plan and ORR standards
• Provide appropriate intervention to ensure UC safety and well-being; provide 1:1 monitoring of medical, mental health and/or behavioral as directed by management or a member of the clinical or multidisciplinary team
• Clean, organize, and maintain the UC living space to provide a safe environment
• Observe UC and provide feedback for the purpose of updating the UC’s behavior plans or improving their basic living and environment
• Conduct regular and consistent 15-minute headcounts of UC under care
• Youth Care Worker perform other duties as assigned

Communication  

• Follow individual plans and behavior support plans to provide appropriate services to UC and document those interactions using designated forms and/or database
• Ensure all forms and progress notes are properly completed using the necessary forms and/or database to ensure compliance with ORR standards and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements; document planned interventions, behavior incidents, and general observation of UC skills, behaviors, and mood using the appropriate forms
• Provide the appropriate Therapeutic Crisis Intervention when required or directed by management or a member of the interdisciplinary or treatment team

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Teamwork

• Youth Care Workers assist UC's with social skills, anger management, and daily living skills; teach, supervise, and assist residents in achieving their daily goals
• Assist Unit Manager of being point of contact in the absence of the Shift Supervisor
• Support, teach and provide UC with a full range of basic care needs, including, but not limited to bathing, feeding, cleaning, shopping, and laundry
• Work closely with immediate management to plan and implement social and recreational activities for UC
• Accompany UC on outings and activities to promote community inclusion; accompany and/or transport UC to airport, appointments, outings, and activities using established safety protocol. Load and unload residents into the designed vehicle
• Report UC safety hazards and risks to the management and/or the clinical staff in a timely manner
• Must assist in the evacuation of UC as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the management, program and clinical staff, UC, and volunteers to meet the needs of the UC and ensure the program goals and objectives are being met
• Work closely with management, the program, and clinical staff to ensure program operations, goals and objectives are being met and the UC are receiving the highest quality of services and support
• Must assist in the evacuation of UC as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Accompany and participate in group therapy sessions for UC, as needed
• Interact and build a positive and respectful rapport with UC to reinforce positive behavior and promote social interaction
• Work as team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Always work within the Agency’s Code of Ethics and establish working relationships within the ethical boundaries established with staff and UC
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Youth Care Worker Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (based on service area and service population)
• 1-year employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents

• Prior full time experience in any setting preferably with youth or adolescents

• Must be able to work extended shifts during periods of influx, including 12-hr shifts at least once a week or more
• Ability to use visual and auditory awareness within the work environment
• Always demonstrated ability to establish trust and a positive rapport with children and work within ethical boundaries
• Ability to provide conflict resolution and de-escalation skills to ensure the well-being and safety of residents
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to give and follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize job duties and resident needs
• Ability to work both in a team environment and independently
• Ability to remain claim and exhibit compassion
• Ability to use good judgment and think quickly and rationally in difficult and stressful situations
• Proficient with basic computer skills, Microsoft Office (Word and Excel), and documentation programs/database

Youth Care Worker Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree in Social Services, Human Services, or closely related field
• 2 years’ previous experience performing direct care services to children and adolescents

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions for a Youth Care Worker

• This position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting,bending, kneeling, twisting, and reaching
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging  

We are a diverse and inclusive organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best to fulfill our mission to break the cycle of child abuse. 

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.