UC LTFC Youth Care Worker/Aide

The Village is accredited by the International Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Adoptions, Foster Care, Mental Health, Wraparound, and Drop-In Center services. We deliver evidenced-based behavioral health services to children, youth and adults, and has long been at the forefront of culturally sensitive foster care and adoption services.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals and families, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Join our team of dedicated professionals today!

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Youth Care Worker / Case Aide provides direct care, line-of-sight supervision, and administrative case support for Unaccompanied Children (UC) in ORR-funded residential and foster care programs. This position is responsible for ensuring youth safety, well-being, and compliance with ORR policies through continuous supervision, trauma-informed care, and active engagement in daily activities. Responsibilities include maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment; supervising educational, recreational, and life-skills activities; monitoring and documenting youth behavior; and conducting routine safety and wellness checks. In addition to direct supervision responsibilities, this position provides administrative case management support by assisting with service documentation, appointment coordination, transportation logistics, case file maintenance, and youth engagement activities. The role requires adherence to federal child welfare standards, maintenance of appropriate staff-to-youth ratios, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to promote positive outcomes and successful reunification or transition planning for youth in care.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's or bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, or Human Services highly preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of employment experience in child welfare, residential care, or related social services setting working with children/adolescents.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly preferred 
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record; ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification.
• Successfully complete and maintain all required federal (ORR) and state (e.g., DOJ/FBI) background clearances and health screenings

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

All of the responsibilities listed below are considered essential functions of this position. Additionally, this position is expected to ensure that the core operating values and the strategic direction of the agency are adhered to.

Direct Care & Supervision (Youth Care Worker)

1. Line-of-Sight Supervision: Maintain constant, active supervision of youth to ensure their safety and well-being, meeting ORR mandated staffing ratios at all times.
2. Trauma-Informed Care: Implement behavior management and crisis intervention techniques. Guide youth through positive reinforcement, de-escalation, and conflict resolution.
3. Medical & Crisis Response: Assist in routine health care monitoring, medication distribution (if authorized), and emergency medical situations.

Case Management & Compliance (Case Aide)

1. Reunification & Discharge Support: Provide direct support to Case Managers throughout the reunification process, including assisting with discharge planning, coordinating reunification-related activities, preparing youth and documentation for release, conducting inventories of personal belongings, and supporting sponsor-related case activities to facilitate timely and safe reunification.
2. Sponsor & Family Engagement: Assist Case Managers by facilitating, monitoring, documenting, and coordinating regular communication between youth and their parents, family members, primary caregivers, and potential sponsors. Support sponsor engagement activities and reunification efforts by ensuring required contacts and related documentation are completed accurately and timely.
3. Case Management Support: Assist with a broad range of case management functions, including file organization, case note entry, documentation collection, data entry, service tracking, appointment scheduling, referral coordination, and follow-up activities. Support Case Managers in maintaining compliance with ORR requirements and advancing case plans toward permanency and discharge goals.
4. Documentation & Recordkeeping: Maintain accurate, organized, and confidential records in accordance with ORR standards, state licensing requirements, and program protocols. Document client interactions, family contacts, incidents, services provided, transportation activities, and progress notes within designated systems, including the Unaccompanied Children Portal (UCP) and ETO.
5. Coordination of Services: Coordinate and support medical, dental, mental health, educational, legal, and consular appointments. Arrange transportation, maintain appointment schedules, and accompany youth to court appearances, attorney meetings, medical visits, community activities, and other required services.
6. Program Compliance: Ensure all assigned activities, documentation, and case support functions comply with ORR policies, federal child welfare regulations, confidentiality standards, and agency procedures. Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to support case progression, youth well-being, and successful reunification outcomes.

ORR & Regulatory Guidelines

1. Child Safeguarding & Mandated Reporting: Strictly adhere to ORR Prevention of Sexual Abuse (PSA) and Sexual Harassment policies and procedures. Maintain vigilance in protecting youth from harm and serve as a mandated reporter by immediately reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking concerns, policy violations, or safety risks in accordance with federal, state, and agency requirements.
2. Professionalism & Code of Ethics: Conduct all duties with the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct. Maintain professional boundaries with youth, sponsors, caregivers, and community partners while demonstrating sound judgment, respect, and impartiality in all interactions. Adhere to agency policies, ORR standards, and applicable professional codes of ethics governing child welfare services.
3. Conflict of Interest & Confidentiality: Avoid actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest and immediately disclose any situations that could compromise objectivity or program integrity. Maintain strict confidentiality of client, sponsor, and case information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA, ORR confidentiality requirements, agency policies, and all applicable privacy regulations.

General Expectations

1. Demonstrate professional boundaries, dependable attendance, punctuality, and effective communication.
2. Support a collaborative team environment and contribute to safe, timely, and quality service delivery.
3. Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor or management.

VACCINATIONS REQUIRED: Be able to show proof of immunization or immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route, including:

• Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least four weeks apart) OR born in the United States before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness) OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from a healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
• MMR: two doses of MMR vaccine (at least four weeks apart) OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases.
• Tdap: one Tdap dose.
• Influenza: one dose annually during flu season.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities. 

• High Mobility & Endurance: Must be able to walk or stand for extended periods and continuously supervise groups of active adolescents, often running or moving at a fast pace.
• Active Supervision & Line-of-Sight Monitoring: Ability to provide continuous line-of-sight supervision of youth in accordance with ORR and UAC MAP requirements across a variety of settings, including residential facilities, foster homes, schools, community outings, recreational activities, medical appointments, court appearances, airports, and transportation environments. Must maintain constant awareness of youth whereabouts, behaviors, and safety needs while ensuring appropriate staff-to-youth ratios.
• Heavy Lifting & Loading: Must be able to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift/carry heavy objects (such as luggage, furniture, and food/supply boxes) weighing between 35 to 75 lbs.
• Crisis Intervention: Must have the physical and mental capacity to perform approved de-escalation techniques, which may require assuming various postures or applying medium-heavy force to physically hold or separate young people during physical altercations.
• Stair Climbing & Varied Terrain: Must be able to regularly climb multiple flights of stairs and navigate varying weather conditions when supervising outdoor activities
• Environment: Work is performed in a fast-paced residential emergency shelter or transitional foster care setting. Schedule flexibility is required, including the ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during influx periods.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Adheres to all legal parameters for ensuring and maintaining clients' confidentiality including HIPAA, State and Federal laws.  

Job Type: Full-time

Pay Range: $24.72/hr, non-exempt

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

The Village Family Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.