PMIC Residential Direct Care-McIntyre

FOUR OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDRENS SERVICES; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

McIntyre PMIC is seeking an entry-level Youth Counselor to work in Cedar Rapids, IA, providing compassionate, structured care for children ages 7-12 in a 24-hour residential program.

Located at Smith Center, the role emphasizes teamwork with counselors, therapists and the treatment team to support treatment goals and safety, while maintaining documentation and protocols.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old and have a HS diploma or GED.
• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field is preferred.
• Desire to help kids succeed and support their development.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with children throughout daily routines, activities, challenges, and successes, balancing structure with compassion and encouragement.
• Build positive, therapeutic relationships with children based on trust, consistency, and respect.
• Provide direct supervision in a safe, structured residential environment.
• Teach coping skills, communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and positive behaviors.
• Recognize challenges early and use proactive strategies to prevent escalation.
• Use approved behavior-management and de-escalation techniques when needed.
• Help children recognize emotions and develop healthier responses.
• Learn each child's individualized treatment plan and support goals.
• Participate in behavioral, group, and life-space interventions and provide encouragement.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem solving

Desire to help kids succeed

Calm under pressure

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Smith Center - Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School Diploma or GED, Salary Range: $16.00 - $18.00 Hourly, Travel Percentage: Minimal Travel Required - less than 10%, Job Shift: Varied Shifts, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, Big impact starts with the little moments.

A conversation. A calm voice during a tough moment. Celebrating a small victory. Helping a child realize they can make a different choice next time.

As a Youth Counselor with our McIntyre PMIC program, those everyday moments can make a lasting difference.

Located at our Smith Center at 5400 Kirkwood Blvd in Cedar Rapids, McIntyre is a co-ed residential treatment program serving children ages 7-12. We\'re looking for caring, dependable adults who can provide the consistency, structure, encouragement, and support children need while working toward their treatment goals.

What is PMIC?

PMIC stands for Psychiatric Medical Institution for Children.

McIntyre PMIC provides 24-hour residential treatment and support for children who need a higher level of care for behavioral and emotional needs. Our team creates a structured, therapeutic environment where children can feel safe, build skills, develop healthier ways to manage emotions and behaviors, and experience positive relationships with trusted adults.

This is more than supervision. It\'s being part of a child\'s team and helping them discover what they\'re capable of.

What You\'ll Do

• As a Youth Counselor, you\'ll work directly with children throughout their daily routines, activities, challenges, and successes. You\'ll help create an environment that balances structure and accountability with compassion and encouragement.
• Build positive, therapeutic relationships wiith children based on trust, consistency, and respect.
• Provide direct supervision while maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive residential environment.
• Use everyday moments to teach and reinforce coping skills, communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and positive behaviors.
• Recognize potential challenges early and use proactive strategies to prevent situations from escalating.
• Utilize approved behavior-management and de-escalation techniques when children need additional support.
• Help children recognize their emotions and behaviors and develop healthier ways to respond.
• Learn and understand each child\'s individualized treatment plan and help support their treatment goals.
• Participate in behavioral, group, and life-space interventions while providing encouragement, direction, and feedback.
• Celebrate progress including the small wins that can mean everything to a child.
• Safely transport youth to activities, appointments, and community resources while following agency protocols.
• Work closely with counselors, therapists, supervisors, and other members of the treatment team to provide consistent care.
• Follow medication-management guidelines and program procedures.
• Complete required documentation accurately and on time, including daily case notes, behavioral documentation, and visual checks.
• Most importantly, be a positive role model and a consistent adult children can count on.

Qualifications & Program Information

We\'re looking for someone who can stay calm when a child is having a hard day, celebrate them when they\'re having a great one, set healthy boundaries, follow through, and come back tomorrow ready to try again!

What you need:

• You will need to be at least 21 years of age and possess a High School Diploma or GED to qualify. A Bachelor\'s Degree in a Human Services related field of study is preferred. Additional requirements include:
• Desire to help kids succeed
• Prior experience working with children in a school or mental health setting preferred
• Strong communication and problem solving abilities
• Basic computer skills in a MS Office environment