Job Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and energetic Residential Youth Care Worker / Direct Care Staff to join our team in providing compassionate support and guidance to youth in residential settings. In this vital role, you will work directly with adolescents, fostering a safe, nurturing environment that promotes positive behavioral development and personal growth. Your efforts will help youth overcome challenges, develop life skills, and achieve their full potential. This position offers an engaging opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people from diverse backgrounds, including underserved communities.
Residential Youth Care Worker / Direct Care Staff
Company: Valley Kids Home
Location: California
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Day, Evening, Overnight, Weekend, and Holiday Shifts Available
About Valley Kids Home
Valley Kids Home is a licensed children’s residential group home dedicated to providing a safe, stable, structured, and supportive environment for children and adolescents ages 6 through 17.
Our goal is to help each child feel safe, supported, and valued while developing the life skills, confidence, and stability needed to succeed. We are looking for caring, dependable, patient, and responsible individuals who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth.
Position Summary
The Residential Youth Care Worker provides direct supervision, care, support, and guidance to children and adolescents living in the group home.
This position is responsible for maintaining a safe and positive home environment, assisting residents with their daily routines, encouraging appropriate behavior and healthy relationships, supporting participation in school and community activities, and helping each child work toward their individual goals.
This is a hands-on position for someone who can be compassionate while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, structure, consistency, and accountability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide direct care, supervision, and support to children and adolescents in a residential setting.
- Maintain the safety and well-being of all residents at all times.
- Create a welcoming, respectful, and home-like environment.
- Assist residents with daily routines, including waking up, hygiene, meals, school preparation, homework, recreation, and bedtime.
- Provide transportation to school, medical appointments, therapy, family visits, community activities, and other approved destinations as assigned.
- Prepare or assist with meals and snacks in accordance with the home’s policies and residents’ needs.
- Encourage residents to develop independent living skills, including personal hygiene, organization, cleaning, laundry, communication, and responsible decision-making.
- Plan and participate in recreational, educational, and community-based activities.
- Build positive and professional relationships with residents while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
- Use approved positive behavior support, de-escalation, and crisis prevention techniques.
- Help residents manage conflicts and difficult emotions in a safe and appropriate manner.
- Follow each resident’s individual service plan, treatment goals, safety plan, and other care instructions.
- Observe residents for changes in behavior, mood, health, or safety concerns and promptly report concerns to appropriate supervisory staff.
- Administer or assist with medications only when properly trained, authorized, and permitted by facility policy and applicable requirements.
- Complete shift notes, incident reports, medication records, transportation logs, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
- Communicate important information to incoming staff during shift changes.
- Maintain resident confidentiality and protect private information.
- Keep the home clean, organized, safe, and comfortable.
- Participate in staff meetings, required training, and ongoing professional development.
- Follow all facility policies, licensing requirements, mandated reporting responsibilities, and applicable California laws and regulations.
- Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other safety concerns in accordance with mandated reporter requirements.
- Respond appropriately to emergencies and follow established emergency procedures.
- Perform other duties reasonably related to the care, supervision, safety, and well-being of residents.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent, if required for the position.
- Be able to successfully complete all required background checks and clearances.
- Meet applicable California Community Care Licensing requirements for employment in a children’s residential facility.
- Complete required health screenings, testing, and documentation.
- Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification as required.
- Complete all required initial and ongoing training.
- Have a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record if transportation duties are assigned.
- Be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Be able to complete clear, accurate, and timely documentation.
- Be able to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or overnight shifts when required by the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working with children, adolescents, foster youth, individuals with behavioral needs, or individuals in a residential care setting.
- Experience in a group home, STRTP, foster care, behavioral health, education, social services, or similar setting.
- Education or training in psychology, social work, child development, behavioral health, education, criminal justice, or a related field.
- Experience with trauma-informed care, positive behavior support, crisis prevention, or de-escalation.
- Bilingual skills are a plus.
Physical Requirements
The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties may include:
- Standing, walking, sitting, bending, and moving throughout the home and community.
- Participating in recreational and daily living activities with residents.
- Responding promptly to emergencies.
- Safely operating a motor vehicle when transportation duties are assigned.
- Performing household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
- Meeting any additional physical requirements associated with the facility’s approved program and resident population.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is:
- Caring and compassionate.
- Patient and emotionally mature.
- Dependable and punctual.
- Calm under pressure.
- Consistent and able to maintain appropriate boundaries.
- Comfortable working with children who may have experienced trauma, instability, or difficult life circumstances.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Willing to follow policies and accept supervision and feedback.
- Committed to treating every child with dignity and respect.
Why Join Valley Kids Home?
At Valley Kids Home, this is more than a job. Our staff have the opportunity to become a positive and consistent presence in the lives of children who need safety, encouragement, structure, and support.
You will be part of a team focused on helping young people build confidence, develop important life skills, and work toward a more stable and successful future.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Valley Kids Home is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal and California law.
Note: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all background checks, clearances, health requirements, training, and other qualifications required by the facility, the position, and applicable California licensing requirements.
Pay: $17.50 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
