Description

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.


Youth Care Worker 1st Shift ORR

US-TX-McAllen

Job ID: 2026-6922
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Refugee Resettlement Shelters
Upbring

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve.  Every day, we strive to embody our core values: 

We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.

We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.

We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time. Your Mission in ActionThe Youth Care Worker is responsible for providing direct care and supervision, maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for Unaccompanied Children (UC), and intervening to de-escalate situations as needed. This role ensures compliance with Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) licensing standards, agency policies, program guidelines, and all applicable federal, state, CARF, and local regulatory requirements. Youth Care Workers are also expected to report incidents in a timely manner and follow appropriate protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care.  1st Shift: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake services for incoming UC, including paperwork, assessments, providing an overview of program services, and assisting with initial placement and orientation
• Provide basic needs upon arrival, including meals, clothing, hygiene products, shower, and bedroom assignment; assist with daily routines such as wake-up, bedtime, personal care, chores, homework, meals, and recreational activities 
• Supervise UC and enforce appropriate behavior limits, in accordance with their individual treatment and behavior plan, while maintaining compliance with ORR standards
• Perform behavior management and crisis intervention, ensuring the safety and well-being of UC, and providing 1:1 monitoring as directed by management or the clinical team 
• Maintain a safe and organized environment by cleaning, organizing, and ensuring the UC living space is conducive to their well-being 
• Document interactions and interventions in accordance with individual behavior plans, progress notes, and ORR standards, including any behavior incidents and general observations 
• Assist UC with social skills, anger management, and daily living skills, providing support and guidance to help them achieve their daily goals 
• Accompany UC on outings and activities, promoting community inclusion and ensuring safety during transport to appointments, outings, and other scheduled events 
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with management, staff, UC, and volunteers, ensuring the program goals and objectives are being met 
• Must assist in the evacuation of UC during emergencies, such as inclement weather or natural disasters, ensuring their safety and well-being in unforeseen situations 
• Attend meetings and training, maintaining the required training hours per licensing and ORR standards 
• Other duties and special projects as assigned  

Qualifications



Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent 
• Must be at least 21 years of age 
• One (1) year employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, based on service area and service population 
• Must be able to work extended shifts during periods of influx, including 12-hour shifts at least once a week or more 
• Ability to use visual and auditory awareness within the work environment to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents 
• Demonstrated ability to establish trust and build positive rapport with children, always working within ethical boundaries 
• Strong conflict resolution and de-escalation skills, with the ability to handle challenging situations and ensure the safety of residents 
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to give and follow both written and oral instructions 
• Proficiency with basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and documentation programs or databases 

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in social services, Human Services, or closely related field 
• Two (2) years' previous experience performing direct care services to children and adolescents 

Travel

• This position may require travel as needed 

Perks at Upbring 

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, kneeling, twisting, and reaching 
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children 
• Lift, push, pull, and move up to 125 lbs

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus. Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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