RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT-DIRECT CARE-1st & 2nd SHIFT

Four Oaks Family & Children Services; Mason City (IA); On-site; USD 53,726,000 - 57,859,000; Full time

Job summary

Four Oaks is seeking a Youth Counselor in Mason City, IA, to work with children ages 7–17 in a residential PMIC program. You will provide structure, encouragement, accountability, and support while they pursue treatment goals, building strong relationships and consistent presence.

You’ll help youth practice skills from treatment and stay engaged in daily activities, with an emphasis on compassion, patience, and reliability. This position offers varied shifts and a meaningful developmental role.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old with a HS diploma or GED.
• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field preferred but not required.
• Experience with children in a mental health setting preferred.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Basic MS Office skills.
• Patient, consistent, and encouraging when progress takes time.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with boys and girls ages 7–17 in a residential treatment setting.
• Provide structure, encouragement, accountability, and support toward treatment goals.
• Build relationships and maintain dependable, steady presence.
• Help youth practice skills learned in treatment and stay engaged in daily activities.

Skills

Desire to help kids succeed

Strong communication

Problem solving abilities

MS Office proficiency

Patience under pressure

Consistency in structure

Encouraging demeanor

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services (preferred)

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: EntryJob Location: Mason City - Mason City, IA 50401Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High School Diploma or GEDSalary Range: $19.00 HourlyJob Shift: Varied ShiftsJob Category: Nonprofit - Social ServicesBe the Steady Person in a Young Person's Toughest Moments.

Sometimes making an impact looks like helping a child calm down after a difficult day. Sometimes it's celebrating progress that no one else may notice. And sometimes it's simply showing up, being consistent, and reminding a young person that tomorrow is another opportunity to try again.

As a Youth Counselor with Four Oaks' Mason City PMIC program, you'll work directly with boys and girls ages 7–17 in a residential treatment setting. These young people need caring, dependable adults who can provide structure, encouragement, accountability, and support while they work toward their treatment goals.

You don't have to have all the answers. You do need to be willing to show up, build relationships, and make a difference.

What is PMIC?

Our Psychiatric Medical Institution for Children (PMIC) program provides residential treatment and support for children and teens who need a higher level of care. Our team creates a safe, structured, therapeutic environment where youth can develop coping skills, build healthier behaviors, strengthen relationships, and work toward successfully transitioning to their next step.

As a Youth Counselor, you'll be part of the everyday moments that help our youth grow. You'll build relationships, provide consistency and structure, and help young people practice the skills they're learning in treatment.

At Four Oaks, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our Youth Counselors are a huge part of making that possible.

This isn't a job where every day looks the same. You'll have challenging moments, rewarding moments, and moments when you realize something you said or did truly made a difference.

And while you're helping our youth grow, we want you to grow too!

Your Presence Can Make a Difference!

Qualifications & Program InformationWhat you need:

To qualify you must be at least 21 years of age and possess a High School Diploma or GED. A Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services related field of study is preferred, but not required. Additional requirements include:

• Desire to help kids succeed.
• Prior experience working with children in a mental health setting preferred.
• Strong communication and problem solving abilities.
• Basic computer skills in a MS Office environment.
• We're looking for people who can be patient when things get difficult, consistent when youth need structure, and encouraging when progress takes time. If you're dependable, compassionate, able to set healthy boundaries, and want a career where your work has a purpose, we'd love to hear from you.