JOB TITLE: Childcare Worker - Independent Living Coordinator
EMPLOYER: Advocates for Children
DEPARTMENT: Residential Children’s Home
REPORTS TO: Residential Children’s Home Director
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2/18/2025
SUMMARY: The Childcare Worker/Independent Living Coordinator will assist residents in becoming productive members of society by collaborating with community resources. The Childcare Worker/Independent Living Coordinator will teach residents basic life skills including but not limited to personal hygiene, social skills, organization, money management, time management, sex education, nutrition, fitness, and professional development. The Childcare Worker/Independent Living Coordinator is also responsible for providing supervision and direct care of residents and will deliver services and perform the duties required to maintain daily operations of a residential care program for youth. The Childcare Worker/Independent Living Coordinator will report to the Residential Children’s Home Director.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complete the Casey Life Skills Assessment with each Residential Children’s Home resident to determine a baseline of acquired life skills and areas for improvement.
- Develop an Individual Skills Plan for each resident to monitor goals and progress in the program.
- Meet with each resident at least one hour per week to develop life skills including but not limited to the areas of personal hygiene, social skills, organization, money management, time management, sex education, nutrition, fitness, and professional development.
- Facilitate a weekly life skills group to foster continued development.
- Document at least two efforts weekly that record the youth’s engagement in independent living skills development.
- Partner with the Department of Family and Children Services’ (DFCS) Independent Living Specialist to ensure residents attend Independent Living Program (ILP) events offered by DFCS.
- Coordinate experiential field trips to coincide with improving life skills.
- Identify and provide service-learning opportunities for Residential Children’s Home residents.
- Assist eligible residents in obtaining employment.
- Monitor eligible residents in managing finances and enrolling in DFCS’ Individual Development Accounts program.
- Provide residents with transportation as needed for related appointments, school, activities and ILP meetings.
- Comfortably facilitate a sex education/healthy relationships program for residents.
- Provide residents with opportunities to engage in healthy lifestyle including but not limited to fitness classes and nutritional education.
- Complete monthly ILP summaries to submit to each resident’s DFCS case manager and the ILP Specialist.
- Utilize Paychex Portal exclusively to view schedule, timeclock punches, and request time-off.
- Provide an e-mail address that is checked daily and respond to all correspondence from organizational leadership.
- Orient new residents to the program by explaining daily routines, expectations, and resident rights.
- Ensure each resident is assigned a room with adequate bedding and hygiene supplies, complete clothing inventory, and ensure each resident has an adequate supply of seasonal clothing.
- Provide direct supervision and know where residents are at all times. Effectively watch, listen, engage, and monitor client interaction. Conduct and document fifteen- minute bed checks during sleeping hours.
- Maintain a therapeutic, safe, and clean environment for residents and staff, including housekeeping, preparing and serving meals, motivating and engaging youth in completing daily routines and chores.
- Use agency-approved crisis intervention techniques exclusively.
- Plan and lead recreational activities and participate or instruct youth games.
- Complete required logs, notes, reports; all documentation, consistently, accurately, and legible.
- Follow agency training and protocol regarding medication storage, dispensing, and documentation.
- Handle crisis calls, walk-in crisis situations, referrals, and admissions as needed.
- Attend all staff meetings and regular supervision.
- Complete annual training requirements to meet all governing body requirements.
- Assure confidentiality of information related to clients, personnel, and other information of confidential nature.
- Interact with clients and team members, at appropriate times, in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
- Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Advocate standards.
- Comply at all times with Advocates’ standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.
- Maintain a friendly and warm demeanor at all times with both team members and clients.
- Demonstrates passion for the mission of Advocates for Children and a commitment to ensuring fairness and accessibility for all through active participation in related training and advocacy efforts.
- Other duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Not Applicable
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma with four years of professional experience working with youth OR a Bachelor's degree in a related field with two years of professional experience working with the youth
- Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen.
- Proficient written and oral skills.
- Basic Word Processing knowledge is required.
COMPETENCIES:
- Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
- Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIORNMENT:
- Occasionally required to stand
- Occasionally required to walk
- Frequently required to sit
- Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
- Continually required to talk or hear
- Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
- While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
- The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 25 pounds / frequently lift and/or move up to 15pounds / continually lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include:
- Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently required to drive a personal vehicle.
