Youth Care Specialist

youthopportunity; Rockwood (TN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with up to 4% employer match

Paid time off (PTO) and holidays

Gas stipend every pay period

Tuition reimbursement and professional

development

Robust Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Youth Opportunity Investments is seeking a dedicated Youth Care Specialist to supervise and support youth in Roane Youth Academy. You will manage a group of 7–10 youths during waking and non‑waking hours, ensuring safety and guiding behavior change within a structured setting.

The role emphasizes teaching internal skills, applying I‑Choose approach, and maintaining accurate documentation while collaborating with treatment staff. Strong compassion and consistency are essential for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of college coursework in a social or human services field preferred.
• Two years of experience working with youth preferred for candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily activities of a group of 7–10 youth, maintaining awareness of all group members at all times.
• Ensure compliance with procedures related to movement, physical security, contraband, head counts, and reporting.
• Provide a safe and structured environment using group counseling techniques, positive discipline, and the I‑Choose behavior modification system.
• Utilize crisis intervention and de‑escalation techniques as needed to maintain safety.
• Represent youth needs, progress, and accomplishments to the treatment team or assigned counselor.
• Facilitate huddles, problem‑solving groups, and daily reviews that encourage peer accountability and recognition.
• Assist classroom teachers by reinforcing educational content and study skills within the living units.
• Support and promote activity planning, completion, and evaluation to enhance treatment goals.
• Document daily shift activity, population counts, and significant events in accordance with policy.
• Make referrals for medical or special needs and provide thorough shift hand‑offs.

Skills

Verbal communication

Group leadership

Counseling

Written documentation

First Aid/CPR

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years of college coursework in social/human services

Job description

Youth Care Specialist

Location: Rockwood, TN

Facility: Roane Youth Academy

Department: Direct Care

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation

• Starting at $19.00/hour
• After 90 days of satisfactory performance: $21.00 – $22.50/hour
• After 6 months of satisfactory performance: $22.50 – $24.00/hour
• $70 gas stipend each pay period for employees living 25+ miles from the facility

About Youth Opportunity & Roane Youth Academy

Youth Opportunity Investments is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at‑risk youth. Roane Youth Academy in Rockwood, Tennessee, provides trauma‑informed residential care in a structured, supportive environment focused on safety, accountability, and positive youth development.

The program combines clinical support, education, life‑skills development, and structured daily routines to help youth build internal controls, responsibility, and readiness for successful reintegration into their communities. Programming is delivered within small group living units that emphasize consistency, teamwork, and individualized growth.

About the Role

The Youth Care Specialist is a direct‑care position responsible for supervising and supporting a group of 7–10 youth during waking and non‑waking hours. While ensuring safety and security through appropriate external controls, Youth Care Specialists play a critical role in teaching youth the internal skills needed to live responsibly as structure is gradually reduced.

This role is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, consistent, and confident in guiding youth through structure, accountability, and positive behavior change.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with Immediate Vesting
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays – earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period
• Free RX delivery on most medications
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Supportive, mission‑driven work environment

Additional Compensation & Incentives

• Retention Bonuses:
  • $1,500 after one year
  • $2,500 after two years
  • $3,500 after three years and each year thereafter
• $70 gas stipend per pay period for employees living 25+ miles from the facility

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise the daily activities of a group of youth, maintaining awareness of all group members at all times
• Ensure compliance with procedures related to movement, physical security, contraband, head counts, and reporting
• Provide a safe and structured environment using group counseling techniques, positive discipline, and the I‑Choose behavior modification system
• Utilize crisis intervention and de‑escalation techniques as needed to maintain safety
• Represent youth needs, progress, and accomplishments to the treatment team or assigned counselor
• Facilitate huddles, problem‑solving groups, and daily reviews that encourage peer accountability and recognition
• Assist classroom teachers by reinforcing educational content and study skills within the living units
• Support and promote activity planning, completion, and evaluation to enhance treatment goals
• Document daily shift activity, population counts, and significant events in accordance with policy
• Make referrals for medical or special needs and provide thorough shift hand‑offs

Additional Duties

• Participate in required training and professional development
• Report any incidents or concerns related to youth or staff conduct
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Two years of college coursework in a social or human services field preferred

Experience

• Two years of experience working with youth preferred for candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent

Skills

• Strong verbal communication skills appropriate for working with youth
• Group leadership and counseling skills
• Ability to think independently, analyze situations, and distinguish fact from opinion
• Ability to complete accurate, objective written documentation
• First Aid, CPR, and crisis intervention certification required (obtained during probationary period)

Other Requirements

• Valid state driver’s license
• Ability to meet all state and criminal background check requirements

Physical Demands

• Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable
• Able to actively engage with youth, participate in physical interventions, and transport youth or staff as needed
• Must be free of communicable diseases as defined by the state
• Must pass evaluation of physical techniques and certification exams

Equal Opportunity Employer

Youth Opportunity Investments is an Equal Opportunity Employer