Direct Care / Youth Care Worker Professional
3 days ago
Valrico
Job DescriptionDirect Care / Youth Care WorkerResidential At-Risk Group Home – Adolescent Males | Florida Make a Difference Where It Matters Most Are you passionate about helping youth overcome adversity and build a better future? We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and motivated individuals to join our team as Direct Care / Youth Care Workers in a licensed residential group home serving at-risk adolescent males. In this role, you will directly impact the lives of youth who have experienced trauma, instability, and loss—helping them build the skills needed for long-term success. This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to be a mentor, role model, and agent of change. Position Overview: The Direct Care / Youth Care Worker provides continuous supervision, direct care, and therapeutic support in a structured residential setting. Staff serve as caregivers and surrogate parental figures, supporting youth in developing emotional regulation, life skills, and positive behaviors. Using a trauma-informed care approach, you will help create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where youth can heal, grow, and prepare for reunification or permanent placement. Key Responsibilities Direct Care & Supervision • Provide continuous supervision to ensure the safety, welfare, and security of all residents, • Serve as a caregiver, mentor, and positive role model, • Act as a surrogate parent, modeling appropriate behavior and decision-making, • Build supportive relationships while maintaining professional boundariesDaily Living Support & Life Skills, • Guide youth through daily routines, including hygiene, chores, and responsibilities, • Teach life skills such as cooking, cleaning, time management, and problem-solving, • Prepare meals and snacks while engaging youth in skill-building activities, • Assist with homework, academic enrichment, and e-learning Therapeutic Environment & Engagement • Maintain a safe, clean, structured, and nurturing home environment, • Plan and supervise therapeutic, recreational, and community-based activities, • Support trauma-informed interventions and behavior management strategiesTransportation & Community Activities, • Transport youth to school bus stops, appointments, and activities using agency vehicles, • Provide supervision during community outings and medical visitsBehavioral Support & Crisis Intervention, • Identify and report emotional, behavioral, or developmental concerns, • Implement behavior modification techniques and individualized interventions, • Utilize crisis de-escalation strategies to manage challenging situations safelyMedication Administration & Documentation, • Administer and document medications per agency policy, • Monitor for side effects and report concerns, • Complete accurate and timely documentation, including daily logs and incident reports, • Maintain compliance with all recordkeeping standardsTeam Collaboration, • Participate in individualized care planning and implementation, • Provide feedback on youth progress, strengths, and needs, • Attend team meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities, • Support a culture of structure, consistency, and communicationMinimum Qualifications Education & Experience • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field preferred. In lieu of a degree, a High School Diploma or GED with relevant experience working with youth will be accepted., • 2+ years of experience in a residential or group home settingLicensing & Requirements, • Valid Florida Driver’s License with clean driving record, • Must be insurable under agency commercial auto policy, • Ability to operate a 7- or 12-passenger vehicle, • Reliable transportation with proof of insurance, • Current First Aid and CPR certification (or ability to obtain), • Ability to pass comprehensive background screenings, including:, • DCF Level II / 7-point background check, • Child Abuse Registry, • Sexual Offender Registry, • FBI and local law enforcement checksAdditional Requirements, • Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts, • Strong teamwork and communication skills, • Ability to plan and coordinate recreational, social, and educational activities, • Dependability, punctuality, and consistency are essential, • Ability to understand and implement individualized care plans for each resident Schedule Options • Full-Time: Evening Shift (3:00 PM – 11:00 PM), • Part-Time: Evenings & Weekends, • Overnight / 3rd Shift: 11:00 PM – 9:00 AMCompensation & Benefits, • Pay: $17.50 – $21.25 per hour (DOE), • Full-time, non-exempt position Benefits Include: • Paid Time Off (PTO) & Vacation, • Holiday Pay, • Simple IRA (after 90 days), • Supplemental Insurance (Aflac), • Opportunities for advancement and professional growth, • 401 K participation Why Join Our Team • Meaningful, mission-driven work that changes lives, • Supportive and team-oriented work environment, • Hands-on experience in child welfare and behavioral health, • Opportunities to grow within the organizationThe Impact You’ll Make Your consistency, structure, and care can help youth: • Build trust and emotional stability, • Develop life skills and coping strategies, • Improve behavior and decision-making, • Successfully transition to family-based or permanent placements Apply Today If you are committed to making a difference and ready for a rewarding and challenging role, we encourage you to apply and become part of a team dedicated to changing lives.