Youth Care Worker

Position Summary

The Youth Care Worker plays a critical role in supporting youth ages 12–17 experiencing homelessness by creating a safe, structured, and supportive environment within the Youth Emergency Shelter. This position directly supervises daily activities, provides positive engagement, and ensures the physical and emotional well-being of youth participants. Through consistent monitoring, documentation, and interaction, the Youth Care Worker helps foster stability, trust, and opportunities for healthy development.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Supervision & Support

• Supervise and monitor the daily activities of youth participants, ensuring a safe and structured environment.
• Interact with youth in a supportive, trauma-informed, and professional manner that encourages positive peer interactions.
• Lead youth in pre-approved group activities, outings, and recreational programming.
• Conduct periodic room checks to ensure safety and compliance with shelter guidelines.

Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately document all significant events, including behavior observations, phone contacts, visits from family/agency representatives, medication administration, chore completion, rule infractions, and other required details.
• Complete required daily reports such as communication logs, progress notes, and unit reports.
• Assist with intake and discharge procedures, ensuring proper documentation and orientation for youth participants.

Health & Safety Oversight

• Administer medications as approved by shelter administration in accordance with Missouri Child Care Association guidelines.
• Promote safe, sanitary, and respectful practices within the shelter.
• Model positive and healthy relationship building by treating all participants, team members, and volunteers with dignity, kindness, respect, and equity.

Collaboration & Communication

• Answer shelter telephones and crisis line calls with professionalism and care.
• Collaborate with coworkers, supervisors, and other departments to address challenges and improve processes.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions (minimum of 40 hours annually), and community networking opportunities.

Additional Duties

• Assist with transportation needs for youth participants (school, activities, or obligations).
• Support shelter operations as part of an on-call rotation for full-time team members.
• Perform physical tasks including bending, stooping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

• Two years of verifiable work experience in a related field, or two years of college with relevant work experience required.
• Experience working with diverse and underserved populations preferred.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and reliable transportation required.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with youth, service providers, and team members from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of multicultural and cultural competencies, with understanding of power, privilege, and inequity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to resolve conflicts constructively.
• Ability to work independently with a supervision ratio of 1:10.
• Effective crisis management and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills in fast-paced environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook.

reStart Inc. Core Values & Attributes

We seek team members who embody:

• Mission Commitment: Dedication to ending homelessness and inspiring hope.
• Equity & Inclusion: Practices fairness, cultural humility, and inclusivity in all interactions.
• Integrity: Upholds transparency, accountability, and ethical standards.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members, participants, and partners to achieve shared goals.
• Solution-Focused Mindset: Approaches challenges with creativity and adaptability.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates respect, compassion, and accountability in all work.
• Flexibility: Adapts readily to changing needs and evolving community conditions.

• Integrity: Demonstrates accountability, transparency, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Compassion: Serves participants and colleagues with care, respect, and dignity.