RESIDENTIAL DIRECT CARE-STOP-BERTRAM

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

Job summary

STOP Campus in Bertram, IA seeks an entry-level Youth Counselor to supervise and support adolescent boys in a structured residential program. You’ll help youth build life skills, stay engaged, and work within a team to promote safety and positive outcomes.

Requirements include a High School Diploma or GED, or equivalent; some positions may require an Associates or Bachelor’s in Human Services. Training and supervision are provided.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years or older and meet one of the education/experience paths.
• Provide structure, support and encouragement to youth ages 12–17.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a residential program.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and supervision to youth in a structured setting.
• Build relationships based on trust, respect and boundaries.
• Teach life skills and problem-solving through daily activities.
• Support behavior management and de-escalation strategies as needed.
• Maintain accurate daily case notes and program records.
• Ensure safety and transport youth to activities following protocols.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Boundary setting

Team collaboration

Communication

Youth engagement

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associates Degree

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services

Job description

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Bertram Campus - Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, 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, Be the person who shows up. Be the example. Make an impact.

Looking for a job where no two days are the same—and where the work you do truly matters?

As a Youth Counselor at our STOP Campus in Bertram, Iowa, you'll work directly with boys ages 12–17, providing structure, support, encouragement, and consistency during an important time in their lives. This isn't a desk job. You'll be actively involved in their day, helping youth build skills, navigate challenges, make better choices, and recognize their potential.

What is STOP?

Our STOP (Supervised Treatment Opportunity Program) Campus is a structured residential program serving adolescent boys ages 12–17. The program provides a safe, supportive, and highly structured environment where youth can work on behavioral needs, develop positive coping and life skills, build healthy relationships, and prepare for successful transitions back to their families and communities.

At STOP, our goal isn't simply to supervise youth - it's to meet them where they are, hold them accountable, recognize their strengths, and help them move forward.

What You’ll Do

As a Youth Counselor, you'll be one of the people our youth interact with most. You'll provide direct care and supervision while building relationships that create opportunities for growth and change.

• Build meaningful relationship with youth based on consistency, trust, respect, and appropriate boundaries.
• Provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment while maintaining appropriate supervision.
• Use everyday situations as opportunities to teach problem-solving, communication, accountability, coping, and other life skills.
• Recognize potential problems early and use proactive strategies to help prevent situations from escalating.
• Utilize approved behavior-management and de-escalation techniques to help youth develop healthier responses and behaviors.
• Help youth gain insight into their choices, recognize patterns, and learn to self-identify and self-correct behaviors.
• Understand each youth's individual treatment plan and provide appropriate supervision and treatment interventions.
• Participate in group, behavioral, and life-space interventions and provide appropriate feedback and direction.
• Ensure youths' basic needs are consistently and appropriately met.
• Serve as a positive role model and an agent of change for the youth in our care.
• Safely transport youth to program activities and community resources while following agency transportation and supervision protocols.
• Work collaboratively with your team, supervisors, and other professionals to review progress and provide the best possible programming for each youth.
• Follow medication-management guidelines and established program procedures.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS).
• Complete required documentation accurately and on time, including daily case notes, behavioral documentation, visual checks, and other program records.

If you're looking for more than just a job and want an opportunity to make a difference for youth who need positive, consistent adults in their corner, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications & Program Information: The Kind of Person We're Looking For

You don't need to have all the answers. You do need to be someone who can remain calm when things get challenging, set appropriate boundaries, follow through, work as part of a team, and see the potential in a young person even on a difficult day

To qualify you must be at least 21 years of age and meet one of the following requirements:

• Possess a High School Diploma/GED and/or 2 years of related experience or
• Possess an Associates Degree and 1 year of related experience or
• Possess a Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services related field of study