Youth Care Worker Jobs
Elevate Your Career While Making a Difference
What is a Youth Care Worker? (YCW)
Mercy Home Youth Care Workers don’t just care for our kids, they care about them. They are the heart and soul of our mission.
By becoming a youth care worker, you will play a critical role in helping children rebuild their lives and change their futures.
We are looking for those who are passionate, driven, and eager to make the world a better place. It is through our dedicated coworkers that we are able to provide healing, guidance, and opportunity to young men and women in need.
At Mercy Home, you will have opportunities every day to help our kids learn, grow, and envision positive change–all by working directly with them one-on-one at one of our two residential campuses. We will offer you all the support and resources you need to be successful, and, more importantly, make a difference in the world.
Our youth care workers play many different roles to our kids, including as acting as an advocate, educator, coach, role model, friend, mentor, confidant, and teacher to our kids. They are an invaluable part of our team.
Being in the room with the kids, there is no better teacher than that. It makes you better.
– James Ladd (YCW)
What does the Application Process Entail?
Our application process is simple and straightforward, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Step 1:
Submit Application
This process should take approximately 10 to 20 minutes. You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself, your educational background, and your work experience. Be sure to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for a Youth Care Worker position.
Step 2:
Phone Interview
If your application matches our needs, the next step is a 30-minute phone interview. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to ask any initial questions you might have about the role or Mercy Home. We’ll discuss your interest in the position, your qualifications, and what you hope to bring to our team.
Step 3:
In-Person Interview
The final step in the process is an in-person interview. This is a more in-depth conversation where we’ll delve into your experiences, skills, and how you handle different situations. In an effort to be sure you have a good understanding of the position and the ability to meet several of our coworkers, we may invite you in for several rounds of interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a YCW do?
A YCW advocates for youth that are unable to speak up for themselves, we educate those that need additional help that they aren’t able to get at home or school, we are positive role models for the youth that come into our care, we assist and oversea the day to day operations of program.
What are the daily tasks for a YCW?
YCW tasks look different with each age group/program you interact with and or working with. Some tasks are meeting weekly with the youth, distributing medication, teaching independent skills, taking them on outings, celebrating their accomplishment and milestones.
What makes being a YCW unique?
The uniqueness of being a YCW is taking part in the process of helping a young person and watching them grow and transform into such awesome amazing human being. Taking pride in knowing that you are one of the reasons that help them succeed and not become just another statistic.
What are the average working hours of a YCW?
A full-time Youth Care Worker works 40 hours a week. Generally, those hours are 2nd shift (3pm-11pm) and may include weekend hours in order to be present for the youth outside of their school hours. The specific schedule will vary based on the Home, and will be shared when you are interviewing.
What type of on the job coaching and support will I receive?
On the job training will consist of shadowing other Youth Care Workers, receiving training and support from your Supervisor and online and group based new coworker trainings. You will meet weekly for a one-on-one meeting with your Supervisor for ongoing support and professional development. Many Youth Care Workers are also part of Youth Care Worker groups with peers.
Why do people love working at Mercy Home?
- Mercy Home has amazing resources to provide best care and resources for the youth and families.
- It’s a great organization with a solid history that is financially sound.
- We have a supportive environment with weekly one-on-one check ins with a supervisor.
- There are amazing opportunities for training and professional development.
What benefits does Mercy Home Provide?
Full time positions receive the full benefit package which included medical, dental and vision insurance and paid time off. In addition, Mercy Home offers other benefits such as tuition reimbursement assistance, 403b retirement savings plan, and pre-tax transit benefits.
What opportunities are there for me to advance in the agency to more advanced roles with higher pay?
After gaining experience in the Youth Care Worker role, you may be interested in pursuing a position as Therapist or Supervisor within the Program, move into a position as a Coordinator in Education or Career Resources, or move into a different area all together.
