Residential Counselor 1 - Avanti

Default Brand; Blaine (MN); On-site; USD 2,102,562 - 2,994,558; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous retention bonus

403(b) Retirement Plan

Employer Paid Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Blaine is seeking a Residential Counselor. The role involves providing direct care and support to youth, ensuring their safety and well-being. Responsibilities include aiding youth with routines, managing daily programming, and using trauma-informed techniques to handle crises. This entry-level position offers a starting pay of $18.50/hr with additional shift differentials and a $1,000 retention bonus, alongside opportunities for professional advancement and quality training.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Current and valid Driver's License required.
• Experience with youth in relevant settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and supervision to youth.
• Support youth during morning and evening routines.
• Respond to conflicts using trauma-informed techniques.

Skills

Youth support

Crisis intervention training

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

High School diploma

Associate's or Bachelor's in related field

Job description

Come join our life-changing team building hope, resilience and well-being as a Residential Counselor at Avanti in Blaine!

We are offering a generous retention bonus of $1,000!

Shift Details

FT or PT available - 8-hour shifts. Days and Evenings, and Overnight shifts available

• Tuesdays from 8:30am-11:30am for team meetings required

Compensation

$18.50/hr starting, plus $2/hr shift differential for overnights, $1 differential for PM shifts and weekends!

Retention Bonus

$1,000

About the job

Avanti Center for Girls offers a continuum of shelter, evaluation, and residential treatment services. Provide direct care, supervision, and therapeutic support to youth during morning and evening hours, ensuring safety, dignity, compassion, professionalism, accountability, and trauma-informed, whole-person support.

Morning Routine Support

• Support youth with daily routines and programming, using calm, encouraging, and predictable approaches.
• Provide coaching for morning regulation and readiness for the school day.
• Ensure youth transition to breakfast, medications (if trained), and school safely.
• Communicate morning concerns or successes to the team and document appropriately.

Evening Routine Support

• Support youth with returning from school or programming with relational, compassionate engagement.
• Facilitate structured activities, chores, and recreation while modeling healthy skills.
• Facilitate programming groups, skill-building, or therapeutic activities as directed.
• Assist with evening hygiene, transitions to quiet time, and bedtime preparation.
• Promote consistency, predictability, and trauma-responsive routines.
• Contribute to a structured, trauma-informed, healing-centered environment.
• Model and teach health communication, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional regulation.
• Support positive peer interactions and intervene early to prevent escalation.

Crisis Response & De-Escalation

• Respond to emerging conflicts or crises using trauma-informed de-escalation techniques.
• Use verbal, relational, and environmental interventions before physical strategies.
• Implement safety holds only if required and trained, following all policies.
• Participate in post-incident debriefs, documentation, and restoration.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Support cross-team activities or program needs.
• Assist with group facilitation, outings, or enrichment activities.
• Complete administrative duties that support program effectiveness as assigned.

Job Highlights

• Room for professional advancement
• Entry-level position into the mental health career field
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Quality training, continuing career education and leadership programs
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday & Sick Days)

Required Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older; Must pass criminal background checks; Must have a current and valid Driver's License.
• High School diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related field preferred.
• Experience with youth in residential, school, recreation, or behavioral health setting, preferred.
• CPR/First Aid, crisis intervention, and other mandated trainings as provided by VOA.

About Us

Avanti is part of Volunteers of America MN/WI which serves as an affiliate of the Volunteers of America parent organization.

Volunteers of America Minnesota/Wisconsin is a nonprofit health and human services organization that annually serves more than 25,000 children, adolescents and their families, older adults, students, persons with disabilities and special needs, and adults completing incarceration. Since 1896, we have helped people gain self-reliance, dignity, and hope.

Take pride in helping others and join us today!

At VOA, we celebrate sharing, encouraging and embracing diversity. Equal employment opportunities are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that blending individual strengths and unique personal differences nurtures and supports our organizations’ shared commitment to our mission and creates an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to do their personal best.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.