Youth Counselor I - (10 PM - 8 AM)

About the role

The Therapeutic Youth Counselor I (TYC I) is the heart of our newly designed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) on the Hope Forward Campus. You’ll join a passionate team launching innovative therapeutic models and creating a dynamic environment where youth can heal, learn, and thrive.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in a brand-new facility purpose-built for healing and innovation.
• Participate as an active member of a therapeutic community of care focused on trauma-responsive, strength-based treatment and transition planning.
• Implement structured daily cottage routines that honor the individual rituals, spiritual, and cultural traditions of youth.
• Stage and lead engaging therapeutic activities, including transportation as needed.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, ensuring supplies and resources are available.
• Support the compliant distribution of self-administered medications.
• Complete documentation and contact notes in accordance with program and funder standards.
• Learn and apply Aspiranet’s core practice models, including: Attachment, Regulation & Competency (ARC), Youth Thrive / Strengthening Families, Community Resiliency Model (CRM), Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI), Professional Assault Crisis Training (ProAct), Motivational Interviewing (MI).
• Assist youth in amplifying their voice and choice throughout the treatment process.
• Report incidents, progress, and barriers to the supervisory team.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation consistent with agency and licensing standards.
• Attend regular meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions to enhance professional growth.
• Ensure compliance with Community Care Licensing, The Joint Commission, and CA Department of Health Care Services.

Qualifications

• Candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Bachelor’s degree in any field (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field preferred), OR
• Valid Child Development Teaching Permit, OR
• Completed 12 semester units in early childhood education, psychology, adolescent development, criminal justice, or foster/kinship care education, OR
• Valid certificate as an alcohol and/or drug counselor, OR
• Previous employment as a staff or volunteer at a group home or STRTP for at least 1 year, OR
• Relevant life experience in child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, or as a mentor/caregiver for youth who have experienced trauma.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Meet all state conditions for employment in a licensed community care facility, including fingerprint and child abuse index clearance, health/TB screening, and a valid CA driver’s license with a clean record.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $21.50- $23.00 per hour for employees hired in the Central Valley, CA. The pay range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired within the Central Valley region. Candidates hired in Southern California or Bay Area locations may have higher starting salaries due to cost of living and market data differences. Factors that may be used to determine your actual starting salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and internal comparison to other employees who hold a similar role.