Youth Development Counselor

About the role

We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate Youth Development Counselor to work alongside other team members to provide 24 hours supervision, structure and guidance to the residents of a female adolescent Youth residential facility. The Youth Development Counselor works with participants and their families to create a therapeutic milieu in which each participant is able to reach their potential and learn socially appropriate behavior, homemaking skills and develop their individual skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the whereabouts and safety of participants at all times
• Plan, lead and engage participants in a range of program activities including recreational activities, family activities, tutoring, cultural events, and special activities for evenings or weekends
• Escort participants to and from court, school, medical, pre-placement visits to other agencies, family/sibling visits, and other various appointments
• Monitor participants' school performance, including homework assistance and tutoring
• Supervise and record participant medical needs and follow-up on recommendations
• Attend teacher/social worker update meetings
• Maintain documentation logs of daily activities, progress notes and critical events
• Complete assessments and reports for presentation at team meetings
• Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings
• Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar), and self-care in the department/program to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associate or bachelor's degree preferred
• Must have excellent written, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Ability to transition easily between working independently with a high degree of self-initiative and contributing as part of a team
• Valid Driver's License required
• Participate in creating a safe and therapeutic milieu
• Effective in conflict resolution and crisis intervention techniques and practices
• Must be able to successfully complete state mandated crisis intervention training, and perform physical restraint of a resident
• Must be able to successfully complete state mandated medication administration training
• Must be flexible to work evening, overnight, weekend and holiday hours
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth and family development and trauma-informed perspective
• Bilingual – Spanish preferred
• Must be able to successfully complete state mandated crisis intervention training within two months of hire
• Must successfully complete a pre-hire physical ability test
• Ability to perform physical restraint of youth using approved restraint procedures
• Must be capable of sustained physical exertion and have no limitations on ability to engage in necessary physical intervention activities including but not limited to: standing, twisting, turning, kneeling, and supporting a participant's body weight

Pay & Schedule

• Salary range: $20-$22 per hour
• 40 hours per week; non-exempt
• Position requires staff to be on site
• Must be available to work full time Day, Evening and/or Overnight Shift
• Some weekends will be required