Salary: $24.21 - $25.69 Hourly
Location : Youth & Family Services (YFS) - 500 West Fifth Street Appleton WI 54911, WI
Job Type: Part-time Benefit Eligible
Job Number: 2603566
Department: DHHS Youth Shelter Care
Opening Date: 06/26/2026
Typical Work Hours/Shift:: Part-Time 24 hours a week Including every other weekend & some holidays Shifts include 8am-8pm & 2-11pm
Outagamie County Core Values
Invested in Serving
Better Together
Create Progress
Support Through Compassion
Position Purpose
Shelter Care is seeking a compassionate, dependable individual to join our team as a Youth Care Specialist. In this role, you will work directly with youth to help meet their basic needs and serve as a positive role model. At Shelter Care, we take a team-based approach to supporting the youth and one another, working alongside 2 to 4 colleagues each shift. Youth Care Specialists engage with youth on a daily basis, transporting them to school, preparing meals, playing board games or sports, participating in community activities and promoting healthy life habits. This role offers an opportunity to mentor youth, gain experience in child welfare and mental health, and develop professionally within a collaborative team environment.
Under general direction of the Supervisor; the Youth Care Specialist performs work involving the care and custody of juveniles, assuring a safe, secure environment, providing positive influence, and preparing and maintaining related logs and reports. They also focus on the individualized needs of youth and caregivers currently served within the Youth & Family Services Division.
**Due to state statute DCF 59.05(4)(h) and current ratio with our shelter care,
male applicants are encouraged to apply.
DCF 59-05(4)(h): When children of both sexes are present in large group shelter care facilities, there shall be both male and female staff members on duty in the facility.
Hours: Part-Time 24 hours a week which is benefits eligible role
Including every other weekend & some holidays
Shifts include 8am-8pm & 2-11pm
*Hours will be discussed more in the interview
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Supervises and directs educational, recreational, intellectual, competency development, and pro-social activities for youth.
- Provides support and education to parents/caregivers.
- Monitors and interacts with youth in an individual or group setting and appropriately engages with residents who may be experiencing mental/emotional distress or are physically ill.
- Maintains accurate and complete records of juvenile count, personal property, money, incidents, activities, etc.
- Cooperates and maintains clear communication with law enforcement, social service agencies, social workers, juvenile intake, schools and resident's significant others.
- Maintains discipline and adheres to the rules and regulations pertaining to the policies and procedures of the Division.
- Provides transportation for youth residents to school, work, appointments, and recreational activities.
- Remains educated on and maintains compliance with the rules and regulations governing the Shelter Care facility including DCF59 Administrative Code requirements and Department Policies.
- Completes custody procedures when a youth is placed into the facility; documents appropriate information, and maintains required documentation in resident files.
- Receives incoming perishable and non-perishable items; dates and stores items in appropriate areas and takes inventory of food and other supplies and reports to the facility Supervisor.
Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements
- A minimum of one year previous work and/or educational experience preferred that has provided the skills and knowledge necessary to provide proper care to youth who are experiencing mental, emotional, behavioral, or physical difficulties or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
- Successful completion of pre-employment testing which includes but not limited to a physical exam, TB test and Vision test.
Required or Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of policies and procedures of receiving, releasing, and maintaining custody of youth residents.
- Knowledge of adolescent behavior, brain development, inter-personal relations, and social/peer interaction.
- Understand the operation and purpose of the Shelter Care facility and to remain educated on other community service providers.
- Ability to maintain composure and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments including normal working conditions and high stress situations.
- Ability to serve as a positive role model for youth residents and provide positive direction and supervision.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, parents, social workers, public defenders, juvenile intake workers, school personnel, mental health professional, law enforcement, maintenance workers, and other providers both verbally and in writing.
- Maintain accurate and complete records, and prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
- Must operate a variety of office equipment including personal computer, computer terminal, calculator, telephone, fax, Electronic Monitoring and security equipment.
- Ability to operate a variety of household appliances including dishwasher, microwave, clothes washer and dryer, vacuum cleaner, etc.
- Recognize and respond to residents' health needs.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 30 pounds.
Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting:
Outagamie County Diversity Statement:
Outagamie County is committed to developing, nurturing, and sustaining an equitable community and workforce where all individuals can thrive. We pledge to amplify the voices of under-represented communities or those who were historically excluded, by removing barriers that result from racial, social injustice and inequities. We strive to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion are embedded at all levels of Outagamie County programs and departments through acknowledging, analyzing, and addressing the root causes of inequities. We will create and advance equitable polices, practices and procedures, including, but not limited to County services, recruitment and retention, policies and practices, budgeting and procurement. We commit to being transparent and will continually evaluate and update our values when identified goals and objectives are not being achieved or sustained. Outagamie County will strive to create an inclusive environment where every community member feels like he/she/they belong.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE AND HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE TO ITS EMPLOYEES.
LEVELS OF BENEFITS CAN VARY BASED ON EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND EMPLOYEE GROUP.
Medical Coverage
Outagamie County currently offers eligible employees a Low-Deductible Health Plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Each of these plans are available for single or family coverage at affordable rates.
Dental Coverage
Eligible employees may choose either single, limited family, or family coverage.
Vision Coverage
Outagamie County offers single, employee plus one, employee plus children, and family voluntary vision insurance for those that are benefit eligible. Vision
insurance coverage provides an opportunity for employees to save money on routine vision exams, contacts, eyeglass frames, and lenses.
Life Insurance
Outagamie County provides group life insurance for full-time employees. The cost of this coverage is paid for in full by the County.
Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-Term Disability pays the employee a portion of his or her income for a specified period of time, as determined by the plan. The Short-Term Disability plan provides coverage for injuries and illnesses that occur outside of work. The premium for this coverage is paid entirely by the employee and is available to active employees that meet the hours threshold requirements.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
All regular, non-union full-time employees are eligible for long-term disability coverage. Premiums are fully paid by the County.
Wisconsin Retirement System
Wisconsin Retirement Program helps provide for financial security during retirement. Monthly annuity payments at retirement are calculated using years of creditable service, average earnings (based on three highest years of earnings), formula factors, age at retirement and selected annuity option.
The retirement plan consists of two parts: an employee-required portion and an employer-required portion. Outagamie County pays the employer portion, and employees are responsible for paying the employee-required portion, which is determined by the state each year. Enrollment is required for eligible employees. Eligibility is determined based on Wisconsin Retirement System plan rules.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation allows employees to set aside pre-tax earnings toward retirement. Employees can save up to 100% of their compensation, to a maximum of $23,500 annually, or as little as $10.00 per paycheck. The amount deferred reduces year-end state and federal income tax base. All the earnings will accrue tax-deferred until such time as the assets are withdrawn, generally at retirement, termination, or other special circumstances. There is also an after-tax 457 Roth contribution option.
Flexible Spending Account Plan
The Flexible Spending Account Plan saves money by allowing the employee to pay for certain medical related expenses and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis, reducing annual taxable income resulting in Federal, State, Social Security, and Medicare tax savings.
Employee Assistance Program
Outagamie County has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The services offered as part of the County's plan are a benefit provided at no cost to its employees and their immediate family members to help deal with life's stresses. EAP consists of caring individuals who are certified counselors. They offer professional support and direction towards resolving problems or concerns. They can also help by referring the employee to another resource if assistance is needed beyond the EAP.
Paid Time Off
Outagamie County offers several paid time off benefits that include: vacation, personal holidays, national holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave and military leave.
Employee and Family Clinic
Primary Health Services, Acute Health Care and Physical Therapy are available to employees and dependents ages 12 months and up (age 13 and up for physical therapy), who are covered on a county health plan. A Health Coach is available to all employees, and to dependents covered under a county health plan age 14 and older. There is an onsite location and a shared clinic site location.
Fitness Center
Located at the downtown campus, a brand new fitness center with treadmills and other gym equipment is available to all employees from 5am to 10pm daily.
Pet Insurance
Please note that the pet insurance offers are discounts offered to Outagamie County employees and are not programs sponsored by Outagamie County. Please contact the companies directly for any questions, concerns or service issues.
If you would like to learn more, please click below about the benefits.
Values of Excellence (Recognition Program)
A program designed to celebrate the big wins, the daily efforts and everything in between of our county employees, which such a great place to grow, work, and thrive together. Where anyone as a county employee can recognize someone for a job well done!
Continuing Education
Outagamie County encourages continuing education by offering Education Reimbursement. This reimbursement is intended to provide assistance to the employee for out-of-pocket expenses for continuing education for the mutual benefit of the employee and Outagamie County, not covered in the departmental budget.
Any Outagamie County employee in good standing, averaging twenty (20) hours or more per week during the six (6) months prior to the start of the course, is eligible to apply. This statement is not all-inclusive in regard to tuition reimbursement.
01
Please explain your experience working with youth.
02
Have you reviewed the scheduled hours in the job posting?
03
Do you have a valid driver's license?
Required Question
