Youth Activity Aide - Upbring

About Upbring 

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About our Children's Shelters

Many children begin life in the face of serious challenges. Instead of playing pretend and imagining grand adventures, unaccompanied children face perilous conditions alone as they travel to unfamiliar countries, leaving home and loved ones behind to escape war and violence. Our children’s centers, operated through a grant from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR), provide safety, stability and wraparound services. We help children grow into adults who have received love and kindness, instead of only violence and chaos.

What You'll Do

The Youth Activity Aide is responsible for implementing and maintaining on ongoing activities program and points program for the UC. This position will collaborate with departments within the programs and internal as well as external individuals for the planning, coordination, scheduling, and facilitation of recreational activities on and off-site.  

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders in the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

All Upbring Children's Shelters employees must comply with ORR's vaccination mandate. 

All staff must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children (UC). Medical and Religious exemptions may be requested after an offer of employment is accepted. 

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards 

• Design age-appropriate activities for the UC
• Supervise residents during activities, on and off campus activities
• Maintain recreational supplies and equipment
• Provide recreational schedules and supplies
• Participate in UC community meeting and staff meetings; utilize positive child management techniques including verbal redirection, de-escalations, and physical containment
• Maintain safe and orderly environment for UC
• Conduct recreational admission assessments
• Other duties as assigned by the Shelter Unit Manager

Communication  

• Ensure directions and guidelines are presented during activities
• Maintain calendar of scheduled events and activities for each resident
• Document residents progress in activities for monthly & quarterly reports
• Model constructive behavior and communication skills
• Keep up with all required training hours per Licensing minimum standard and ORR

Fiscal Management

• Works with the Administrator Assistant to keep track of all financial expenditure

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Teamwork

• Coordinate responsibilities and appropriate activities with other organizational programs and components
• Work closely with the Shelter Unit Manager and staff to ensure residents are receiving the highest quality of care and the program is operating efficiently and effectively and is meeting the goals and objectives of the program and the needs of the UC

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Reinforce positive behavior by providing healthy, positive incentives for UC
• Be a positive role model for UC
• Develop extra activities for intense level youth
• Coordinate responsibilities and appropriate activities with other organizational programs and components
• Teach UC about money management skills using the point store
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with management, staff, residents, families and sponsors, community partners, and professional service providers
• Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with UC, staff, and the community

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Minimum of one 1-year experience in a social or recreational program
• Possess a valid driver's license and have and excellent driving record
• Possess interpersonal skills, as well as organizational and planning skills
• Ability to work as a positive team member
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Possess sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socio-economic characteristics
• Ability to establish a respectful relationship with UCs to help them gain skills and confidence
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff and/or service providers or professionals
• Capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, Psychology, Special Education, or closely related field
• 3 years’ relevant experience in a social or recreational program

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Donated Leave Program 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position will require constant bending, kneeling, twisting, stretching, and reaching, frequent walking, sitting, and standing for long periods of time
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 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.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging  

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

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, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.