Youth Counselor

Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you have a passion for helping people, or love to see youth and young adults work hard to reach their full potential? Want to provide at-risk youth with the tools to begin their process of change and be successful? Come work with us as a Youth Counselor and contribute to the positive transformation of the at-risk teens in our adolescent residential academy program located in Boomer, North Carolina!

About the Role

Make more than a living, make a difference. This role involves guiding and influencing group activities to enhance youth's confidence and self-esteem, ensuring the progress and welfare of each client through therapeutic programs. Youth Counselors lead groups through daily activities, provide counseling, and use rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth define and achieve their life goals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a positive, supportive role model who guides and influences group activities consistently.
• Ensure the progress and welfare of each client and the group through therapeutic programs.
• Provide staff secure supervision during the afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours.
• Lead a group of youth through a variety of daily activities while providing group and individual counseling, emphasizing strength-based development.
• Help youth define life goals and achieve them using rational living cognitive behavioral therapy, pointing out thinking errors and faulty cognitions.
• Responsible for the overall supervision and safety of clients, which may include shift work.

Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age or older per DJJ Guidelines.
• High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years' relevant experience working with youth is required.
• Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral services or outdoor recreation specialties is preferred.
• 2+ years of college in a social or human services field can substitute for the youth experience requirement.
• Direct care in a therapeutic/rehabilitative setting is preferred.
• Ability to travel about property, including through wilderness terrain.
• Must be able to pass evaluation of crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques and written certification exam, and use approved techniques as needed.
• Must be able to participate in aquatic activities.
• Ability to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Constant exposure to outdoors and/or weather conditions.
• Must meet requirements for Eckerd’s Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes.
• Valid and appropriate driver’s license or state identification is required.
• Required to pass a drug screen in compliance with our Substance Abuse and Drug-Free Workplace policy.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 19 days of paid time off the first year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match up to 5%.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid short-term and voluntary long-term disability.
• Group term life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary term life insurance.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• PTO Exchange.
• Meals provided when on duty.
• Advancement opportunities.
• Overtime availability.

Pay

Pay rate: $17.51-$18.57 with opportunity for leadership development, professional growth, and advancement.

Schedule

Day shift, night shift, and PRN positions available.

About Our Program

Eckerd Connects' Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential program is a complete rehabilitative experience delivered in 4 to 6 months to adjudicated male youth, ages 13 to 17, referred by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice. This residential treatment concept combines promising and evidence-based practices with a strong family transition component. It signifies a public-private partnership with the Division of Juvenile Justice, producing an innovative shift in the way youth are served in North Carolina's juvenile justice system.

Intensive, short-term services include individualized treatment and academic plans that combine formal and experiential education, community service, behavioral health, and family counseling in a non-punitive environment. This approach addresses the youth's behavioral challenges through a strength-based method. Youth also receive accredited education on-site and work together in small group settings with assigned counselors.

Location: Boys Residential Academy at Boomer, 4654 High Rock Road, Boomer, NC 28606

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To learn more about our program, visit: Eckerd Connects Residential Services