Youth Counselors - $24-$26/hr

Pay: $24-$26/hr 

Shift: 3p-11p

Job Description:

• Provide direct supervision and support to clients, ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Utilize trauma-informed care principles to de-escalate crises and support emotional regulation.
• Facilitate and monitor daily routines, including hygiene, meals, schoolwork, therapy sessions, and recreational activities.
• Conduct property searches of clients as required by program standards.
• Transport clients to appointments, outings, and other applicable activities using company vehicles.
• Engage clients in therapeutic interventions, including skill-building activities, coping strategies, and social-emotional learning exercises.
• Support clients in developing independent living skills, emotional regulation, and healthy interpersonal relationships.
• Lead or co-facilitate psychoeducational groups and structured recreational activities.
• Follow company protocols for handling behavioral incidents, including documentation and reporting.
• Accurately document client behaviors, interventions, and progress in electronic medical records.
• Complete incident reports, shift notes, and other required documentation promptly and thoroughly.
• Work closely with therapists, medical staff, and other team members to ensure cohesive treatment planning and support.
• Cooperate and communicate fully with other staff members regarding client behavior, progress, and activities.
• Attend all required staff meetings, in-service trainings, and educational workshops.
• Conduct self in a professional manner in areas of dress, language, attitude, and behavior, fully understanding and maintaining policies regarding professional ethics, including appropriate boundaries and client confidentiality, with an emphasis on ensuring the utmost safety for clients.
• Exhibit full knowledge and support of the philosophy and objectives of the Ridge.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION/TRAINING
• High School Diploma
• Bachelor’s degree Preferred

EXPERIENCE:
• Six (6) months experience working with adolescents Prefer experience working in a behavioral healthcare setting
• Education, Training, or work/volunteer experience with adolescents
• Valid Class II driver’s license with clean driving records and current auto insurance
• Current CPR/First Aid Certifications, Water Safety Certification – CAN BE PROVIDED IF NEEDED

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Be at least 21 years of age, and

2. Have a high school diploma or equivalent, and

3. And have at least one of the following:
1. An accredited associate’s or higher degree with a minimum of 12 credits in human services or other field related to residential care (The definition of “human services” is very broad, and includes “residential care, education, social work, mental health, law enforcement, psychology, sociology, pastoral counseling, theology, juvenile justice, medical services, corrections, substance abuse, social services, recreation or a related field.”), or
2. Two years full time, or a total of 3000 hours of, experience “working with” those under 21, as an employee or a volunteer, or
3. Seven years of parenting experience, or
4. A combination of experience working with those under 21 and college credits in human services such that if you add the hours worked to 50 hours times the credits earned you get at least 3000 hours. For instance, if someone worked 2000 hours with those under 21 and had 20 credits in human services, they would meet this requirement: 2000 + (20 x 50) = 3000,