Youth Counselor

About the role

Eckerd Connects' Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential program offers a comprehensive rehabilitative experience for 40 male youth aged 13 to 17, referred by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice. The program combines promising and evidence-based practices with a strong family transition component, emphasizing a strength-based approach to addressing behavioral challenges.

Responsibilities

• A positive, supportive role model who guides and influences group activities on a consistent basis that enhances the youth's confidence and self-esteem.
• Ensure the progress and welfare of each client and the group through therapeutic programs.
• Responsible for staff secure supervision during the afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours.
• Lead group of youth through a variety of daily activities while providing group and individual counseling, with an emphasis on strength-based development.
• Ensure successful development of the youth through rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth define their life goals and then help them achieve those goals, pointing out thinking errors and faulty cognitions along the way.

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.
• Two years of college in a social or human services can substitute youth experience requirement.
• Direct care in a therapeutic/rehabilitative setting preferred.
• Ability to travel about property, 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.
• Responsible for the overall supervision and safety of clients.
• Supervision may include shift work.
• Must be able to 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Two years of college in a social or human services can substitute youth experience requirement.
• Direct care in a therapeutic/rehabilitative setting preferred.
• Ability to travel about property, 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.
• Responsible for the overall supervision and safety of clients.
• Supervision may include shift work.
• Must be able to 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.

Skills

• Positive, supportive role model
• Therapeutic programs
• Crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques
• Physical fitness and stamina
• Ability to work with youth
• Ability to travel
• Ability to work in outdoor environments

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 19 days of Paid Time Off the first year
• 11 paid holidays
• Retail retirement savings plan with employer match up to 5%
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid short-term and long-term disability
• Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible
• Employer PTO Exchange
• Full Benefits Guide is located on our Career Center in the Documents section
• Meals provided when on duty
• Advancement opportunities
• Overtime availability

Pay

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

Schedule

Shift work may be required.