All-Boys Teen Residential Counselor

CJR; Waterbury (CT); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle during work hours

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

CJR seeks an All-Boys Teen Residential Counselor to support a DBT-informed program for up to eight residents in Waterbury, CT. The role involves supervising youths, delivering therapeutic activities, and coordinating with clinicians to ensure safety and progress.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and the ability to engage in crisis intervention and occasional restraints under policy. Competitive hourly pay and full-time benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and model DBT concepts with adolescents.
• Ability to collaborate with clinicians, families, and other staff.

Responsibilities

• Ensure youth safety and provide immediate crisis intervention when needed.
• Lead activities and groups promoting personal growth and social skills.
• Observe and document behavior to inform treatment planning.
• Collaborate with clinicians and shift supervisors to provide consistent care.
• Maintain confidentiality and complete documentation accurately and on time.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

De-escalation

Team collaboration

DBT/trauma-informed awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

All-Boys Teen Residential Counselor- Job #20

Full-Time - $23.97 per hour Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 7am-5pm Waterbury, CT06702

About This Position

The Boys Residential Counselor provides direct care, supervision, and support to adolescents in a structured residential program. Up to eight boys live on site at a time, typically for approximately six months. Residents may have complex behavioral, emotional, and mental-health needs, including suicide-related concerns.

The program operates within a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed treatment model. Residential Counselors help reinforce DBT principles and skills throughout each youth’s daily experience. They model effective communication, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, and support youth in practicing these skills in real-life situations. Counselors collaborate with clinicians and other treatment team members to foster a therapeutic environment centered on accountability, validation, skill development, and positive behavior change.

This is a demanding, hands-on role that calls for sound judgment, emotional resilience, consistent boundaries, and the ability to respond calmly during challenging situations. Counselors supervise and assist youth during school and group times, model positive behavior, and reinforce each adolescent’s individualized treatment plan. They facilitate groups as appropriate and deliver therapeutic programming under the Rehabilitation Therapist’s supervision.

• Ensure youth safety and well-being and provide immediate crisis intervention when needed
• When necessary, participate with trained colleagues in approved physical restraints, following agency policy and required training
• Reinforce DBT principles and skills in daily interactions, including emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness
• Conduct regular headcounts, safety checks, and bed checks
• Monitor for safety hazards and contraband, and address concerns promptly
• Support youth with physical and emotional needs, daily living skills, and growing independence
• Support youth in practicing DBT skills in real-life situations and encourage positive behavior change
• Observe and document behavior and progress to inform treatment planning
• Collaborate with clinicians, shift supervisors, and colleagues to provide consistent care
• Lead activities and facilitate groups that promote personal growth and social skills
• Manage and de-escalate conflicts using approved intervention techniques
• Communicate program goals, activities, and progress to youth and familie
• Safely transport clients and families in a company-provided vehicle during work hour
• Maintain confidentiality; complete documentation accurately and on time
• Participate in staff meetings, training, supervision, and ongoing professional development
• Promote a respectful, supportive environment and maintain consistent attendance and punctuality

Schedule & Rate of Pay

• Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:00am-5:00pm
  • Total of 40-hours per week
  • You must be able to work all holidays the schedule overlaps as this is residential program
• Rate of pay is $23.97per hour
• You will receive holiday pay for the holidays you work that CJR acknowledges (11 holidays)
• Pick up extra shifts if they're available/ offered to you (optional)

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED – Required
• Minimum oneyear of paid, direct experience providing support or supervision to at-risk, court-involved, or otherwise system-involved adolescents– Required
  • This work experience must be clearly described on your resume to be considered. It needs to include your title, responsibilities in this role, and dates of employment.
  • Relevant experience may include employment as a youth counselor or mentor, youth specialist, caseworker, corrections counselor, or in a comparable role.
• Valid driver’s license to operate and utilize the company vehicle during work hours – Required
• Ability to performapproved physical restraints, when necessary, in accordance with company policy, applicable law, and safety protocols. This may involve assisting with restraints involving male adolescent residents of varying body sizes and physical abilities –Required
• Ability to pass background checks and obtain all required certifications (First Aid/CPR, Medication Administration)– Required
• Certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) or willingness to obtain it within a specified timeframe
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed– Required
• Experience working within a DBT-informed, trauma-informed, or therapeutic residential setting is preferred
• Willingness to learn, model, and reinforce DBT skills and concepts with adolescents is required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong personal effectiveness and credibility
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members, clinicians, and families
• Leadership skills and the ability to de-escalate behavioral and conflict situations
• Ability to perform physical tasks and maintain safety in a youth care environment
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and adhering to agency policies and legal requirements
• Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development and training in trauma-informed care, youth development, and mental health

Full-time Benefits

At CJR, we pride ourselves on creating a compassionate, culturally responsive work environment and offering a comprehensive benefits package that encourages and supports a healthy work/life balance. Joining our team, full-time employees will enjoy the following benefits:

• Access to a companyvehicle during work hours
• Low-cost Medical Insurance Plan option
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance offered after 30 days of employment
• Company Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Vacation Package (unused time eligible for carry over)
• Generous Paid Sick Time (unused time eligible for carry over)
• Paid Holiday Time (separate from vacation time)
• Floating Holidays (separate from paid vacation time and paid holiday time)
• Annual monetary incentives
• Tuition Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Company Celebrations & Employee Recognition Program
• Employee discounts (cell phone, computer)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer Federal Student Aid
• 10%-20% tuition discount at many local educational institutions, including those listed by the CT Nonprofit Alliance

About CJR

A career at CJR is focused on working to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to thrive! CJR reaches across the state of Connecticut to deliver a broad continuum of care through our residential, education, wellness, and community-based programs.At CJR, you will experience a fulfilling career with an employer that encourages advancement, respects diversity, and rewards excellence!

CJR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry. We embrace the competitive advantage of diversity.