Youth Counselor

The Youth Counselor 1 is a full time entry level line worker position that provides for the general
care of at-risk youth and manages the treatment milieu and routine within a home. The Youth Counselor 1 is the backbone of our quality of care and treatment for these youth.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:
• Responsible to maintain the daily routine and structure of the home.
• Responsible to work within a treatment team, both within the staff and in the community, in a
cooperative and mutually supportive way.
• Forming therapeutic relationships with the youth in care.
• Provide a safe, consistent and structured living environment for the youth in care.
o Supervision and structure to keep the youth in care safe.
o Supervise, manage and instruct positive interaction and conflict resolution among the residents
in the home.
o Assist with management of a stable yet dynamic set of house rules and values.
o Prepares and shares nutritious family style meals with youth.
o Provide for transportation or residents.
o Oversee and teach chores and general house cleaning/maintenance.
o Participate and/or facilitate house group meetings.
o Provide guidance.
o Help with life planning.
o Teach life skills.
o Teach and model communication skills.
o Assist with relationship building skills.
o Teach and model recreation skills and implement the recreational program of the home.
• Work with youth in care to meet their unique and individual needs.
o Provide individualized care.
o Do informal counseling sessions.
o Participate in group therapy sessions.
o Insure provision of appropriate outside services, such as mental health, medical, dental, etc.
o Advocate for needs of each youth.
• Monitor individual behavior of youth in care.
o Provide instruction, praise and reward for positive behavior.
o Do intervention with or confrontation of negative or destructive behavior.
o Give consequences when appropriate.
o Teach and model appropriate behaviors.
o Record behavioral data.
• Engage in therapeutic relationships with the youth.
o Work as “primary” adult (worker) in a youth’s life, including –
- One-on-one time.
- Involvement in activities with youth.
- Part of treatment team.
o Set appropriate levels of intimacy, shared two-way information and boundaries.
o Work with youth’s families as partners to YH care and treatment.
• Maintain program structure and assist with program accountability.
o Provide input to individual treatment plans.
o Make entries in administrative and behavioral logs.
o Document all incidents.
o Contribute to the update of treatment plans and make regular reports of progress, as required by
program, contract and rule.
o Stay abreast of all information in logs.
o Write reports as necessary and required or requested.
o Attend and participate in a wide variety of “treatment team” meetings.
o Attend and assist with corporate functions and meetings, as requested.
• Operate program as designed and directed.
• Accept supervision.
• Work within a team approach to treatment.
• Give others respect, regardless of opinion, and consideration in dealings with them.
• Be a healthy role model.

Required Skills/Abilities:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.

Education, Experience and State Licensing Requirements:
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid Driver’s License
• Solid moral character
• Be physically, mentally, and emotionally competent to care for youth; and
• Be in good general health

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. as needed.
• Ability to climb stairs as needed.
• Willing and able to work a full time schedule that involves three, four or five-day workweeks that includes
shifts that may be as long as 15 hours.

Employee Classification, Compensation and Benefits:
• This position is a Full-time, Non-exempt position.
• Compensation is based on range establish in the Youth Homes Salary Schedule.
• Youth Homes provides a generous benefit package inclusive of:
o Annual Leave, Exceptional Leave, Educational Leave
o Health, Dental, Vision, Long-term Disability and Life insurance.
o Health Savings Account and 401(k) options with agency match.