Youth Care Worker

Work That Matters. Support That Lasts.

At VisionQuest (VQ), we serve children, youth, and families during some of the most critical moments of their lives. Our teams help young people overcome challenges, build resilience, and move toward brighter futures.

VQ is a national child, youth, and family services organization providing residential programming, community-based services, and in-home support across the United States. We partner with state and federal agencies to deliver services where the need is greatest and to strengthen the communities we serve.

Every role at VQ contributes to meaningful impact. Whether working directly with youth or supporting the professionals who serve them, your work helps create opportunity and stability for the next generation.

Why build your career at VQ?

-Purpose-driven work
Every role contributes to helping children and families succeed.

-Fair and responsible compensation
We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices.

-Career growth opportunities
Internal promotions and leadership development pathways.

-Professional leadership culture
Accountable, supportive leadership focused on long-term success.

-Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-paid Life and Short-Term Disability
• 401(k) with employer match

At VQ, we are building more than programs.
We are building careers that make a difference.

The Youth Care Worker (YCW) provides direct care supervision for children placed in a VQ residential setting. This role is responsible for fostering a safe environment that facilitates learning and behavioral management in a supportive manner in accordance with VQ, local, state, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) General Residential Operation policies and procedures (26 TAC Chapter 748).   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Youth Supervision and Engagement:
• • Provide direct supervision of children in care and maintain line of sight at all times.
  • Provide oversight during recreation, mealtime, leisure time, and play.
  • Develops positive rapport with youth while serving as a role model to create a safe and caring environment utilizing a trauma informed approach.
  • Teach, coach, and supervise children in activities of daily living including morning, bedtime, and overnight procedures, hygiene and cleanliness, housekeeping, meals, intramurals, sports, academics, and extracurricular activities both on and off facility.
  • Interact with children including playing games or during recreational time.
  • Conducts orientation and overview of program services and program rules.
  • Provides essential needs to children such as clothing, hygiene products, shower, bedroom assignments, and cooking meals when needed.
  • Assists with the planning and coordination of special educational events, acculturation activities, holiday celebrations, recreational outings, and school drop off/pick-ups.
  • Assist with children's appointments including but not limited to legal, medical and dental.
  • Administer over the counter and prescribed medications.
• Safety:
• • Maintain a safe, clean, and hazard-free facility by maintaining clean common areas, restrooms, kitchen, laundry, and outdoor areas.
  • Responsible for reporting all maintenance and supply needs.
  • Assist in the evacuation of children as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences.
  • Responsible for the documentation of the child's progress, behavior, and health while in care.
  • Observe, report, and document identified behavior patterns and required information that merit documentation such as progress notes, close observation, nightwatch checklist, bed check logs, outing logs, incident reports, etc.

• Training and Compliance:
• • Assist with providing training to new hires regarding role responsibilities within VisionQuest.
  • Participate in departmental, all staff, mandatory, and needed training opportunities.
  • Follow Occupational Health and Safety protocols.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor(s). 

SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and understanding of all children served. 
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information. 
• Must be able to assist with emergency situations. 
• Demonstrate and maintain emotional intelligence for effective self-care and as a role-model for the Youth Care Worker team.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with peers, colleagues, and others to achieve mission goals and objectives.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 

• High school diploma or equivalent degree.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Flexible schedule (evening, weekends, holidays) to facilitate program services.
• Cleared tuberculosis test results.
• May be required to pass a drug test.
• Cleared background checks from appropriate entities, including Child Abuse and Neglect and FBI criminal background.
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be eligible to drive to facilitate program services as required.
• Must become a Certified Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner within 180 days of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• May lift and carry up to 10 pounds frequently, up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 50 pounds infrequently.
• Performs tasks that may involve standing or walking 50% of the day; sitting 50%of the day.
• May bend, stoop, reach and grasp as necessary.
• Must be able to provide First Aid and CPR.
• Must be able to perform physical holds as instructed in Crisis Prevention Intervention training (CPI).