Youth Worker

Position DescriptionDepartment HistoryHarris County Resources for Children and Adults was founded in 1966 as Harris County Child Welfare Board to provide support services for the children taken under the wing of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Fifty years later, Harris County Resources for Children and Adults still provides this support, but the now-county department has expanded services for early prevention, intervention, and adult services.Vision:To better the lives of children and adults in Harris County.Brief Position Overview:Under the supervision of the Shelter Shift Supervisor, the Youth Worker provides direct care, supervision, and support to youth residing in the Harris County Youth Shelter. This position operates within a 24/7 residential environment and is responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of youth in accordance with licensing standards, agency policies, and contractual requirements. The Youth Worker works directly with youth to provide structure, guidance, and crisis intervention support, assists with daily routines and programming, and ensures accurate documentation of incidents, services, and youth activities. This role is essential to maintaining a safe, stable, and supportive shelter environment.Duties & Responsibilities:* Provide continuous supervision of youth to ensure safety, security, and appropriate behavior within the shelter. Monitor youth during daily routines, school-related activities, recreation, meals, and transitions. Enforce shelter rules and expectations in a consistent and respectful manner. Observe and report concerns related to youth behavior, emotional well-being, or safety to the Shift Supervisor.* Provide crisis intervention and emotional support to youth experiencing distress, conflict, or behavioral challenges. Utilize approved de-escalation and behavior management techniques to address unsafe or disruptive behaviors. Assist youth in developing appropriate coping strategies and problem-solving skills.* Assist with planning and facilitating structured recreational, educational, and life-skills activities during free time. Encourage youth participation in programming that promotes positive social interaction, emotional growth, and healthy decision-making. Model appropriate behavior, communication, and interpersonal skills.* Complete required documentation related to incidents, injuries, illnesses, medications, behavioral issues, and significant events. Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with licensing standards and agency policies. Conduct room checks, safety inspections, and facility walkthroughs as assigned.* Administer medications in accordance with training, policy, and licensing requirements. Transport youth to appointments, school-related activities, court appearances, or other approved destinations as assigned. Ensure youth safety and appropriate supervision during transportation and off-site activities.Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employerhttps://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspxIf you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.netRequirementsEducation:* 60 Hours of College education.Experience:* One (1) year full-time paid work experience with youth and their families in a youth-service agency in an institutional, counseling, or social services setting.* Training and experience using a personal computer with a variety of software, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Case Management Software.Licensure:* Reliable transportation with a valid driver's license (Texas) and auto liability insurance.* Successful applicant will be required to complete Crisis Prevention Intervention, First Aid and CPR training within 90 days of employment.Additional Requirements:* Applicants must be 21 years of age due to licensing* Must be able to work assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:* Knowledge of adolescent development, child behavior, and basic trauma-informed care principles.* Knowledge of residential shelter operations and youth supervision requirements.* Ability to provide crisis intervention and emotional support in high-stress situations.* Ability to work effectively with youth from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and family backgrounds.* Ability to follow policies, procedures, and licensing requirements consistently.* Strong verbal and written communication skills.* Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.* Ability to manage time effectively and follow directions from supervisory staff.* Ability to complete accurate documentation and reports.NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.PreferencesEducation:* A bachelor's degree majoring in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or closely related Social Services field (preferred)General InformationPosition Type, and Typical Hours of Work:* Regular | Full Time | 7 am -- 3 pm Tuesday to Saturday (Off Sunday and Monday)Salary:* $43,326.40 -- $54,017.60* Based on 26 Pay Periods* Plus, Mileage ReimbursementWork Location:* 6300 Chimney Rock, Houston, Texas 77081Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITSHarris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:Health & Wellness BenefitsMedical CoverageDental CoverageVision CoverageWellness PlanLife InsuranceLong-Term Disability (LTD) InsuranceEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Healthcare Flexible Spending AccountDependent Care Flexible Spending AccountPaid Time Off (PTO)Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)Eleven (11) County-observed holidaysOne (1) floating holiday per yearPaid Parental Leave*Sick LeaveRetirement Savings Benefit* 457 Deferred Compensation PlanThe following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:Professional learning & development opportunitiesRetirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)Flexible work schedule*METRO RideSponsor Program*Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:www.benefitsathctx.com01Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.High School or GED diplomaAssociate DegreeBachelor's DegreeMaster's Degree or higherNone of the above02If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?PsychologySociologySocial WorkCriminal JusticeOther Related Social Services FieldUnrelated FieldN/A; No Degree03Have you completed a minimum of 60 Hours of College education?* Yes* No04Which of the following best describes your verifiable full-time paid work experience with youth and their families in a youth-service agency in an institutional, counseling, or social services setting? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)Less than one (1) yearOne (1) year but less than two (2) yearsTwo (2) years but less than three (3) yearsThree (3) years or moreI do not have this experience05Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience working with youth and their families in a youth-service agency in an institutional, counseling, or social services setting. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience. Example: "January 2020 - December 2025" If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A" in the space provided.06Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.AdvancedIntermediateBasicEntry LevelNot proficient07This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Driver's License?Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's LicenseYes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start dateNo, I do not have a Valid Driver's License08Are you at least 21 years of age?* Yes* NoRequired QuestionEmployer Harris CountyAddress 1111 Fannin StSte. 600Houston, Texas, 77002Phone 713-274-5445Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx