Youth Counselor

Eckerd Connects; South Hill (VA); On-site; USD 24,121 - 25,582; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-Cost Medical

Paid Time Off

Holidays

401k match

Flex spending accounts

Disability insurance

Life Insurance

PSLF Eligible Employer

Meals provided

Advancement opportunities

Overtime available

Job summary

Eckerd Connects' Girls Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential Program is a gender responsive, complete rehabilitative experience delivered in 4 to 6 months for girls ages 13-17. This 20-bed program serves girls referred by the North Carolina DJJ.

The role focuses on guiding at-risk youth through therapeutic program activities and goal setting. Responsibilities include group and individual counseling with a strength-based approach, and ensuring safety and supervision across shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years’ relevant experience working with youth is required.
• Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral services or outdoor recreation preferred; 2+ years of college in a social or human services can substitute youth experience.
• Must be able to pass evaluation of crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques and written certification exam; able to participate in aquatic activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead group of youth through a variety of daily activities while providing group and individual counseling.
• Use strength-based development and cognitive behavioral approaches to help youth define and achieve life goals.
• Ensure staff supervision during afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours for youth safety.

Skills

Outdoor work

Youth counseling

Group counseling

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

2+ years of college in social/human services

Job description

Make more than a Living, Make a Difference

Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you have a passion for helping people, or you love to see youth and young adults work hard to reach their full potential? Want to provide at-risk-youth with the tools to begin their process of change and be successful? Come work with us as a Youth Counselor and contribute to the positive transformation of the at-risk teens in our adolescent residential academy program located in Manson, NC!

Our Benefits

• Low-Cost Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 19 days of Paid Time Off the first year
• 11 paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan with employer match up to 5%
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid short-term and voluntary long-term disability
• Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
• PTO Exchange

Extra Benefits

• Meals provided when on duty
• Advancement opportunities
• Overtime availability

Pay Rate

Pay rate: $17.51-$18.57 with opportunity for leadership development, professional growth and advancement.

Duties And Responsibilities

• A positive, supportive role model who guides and influences group activities on a consistent basis that enhances the youth's confidence and self-esteem. Youth Counselors ensure the progress and welfare of each client and the group through therapeutic programs. Responsible for staff secure supervision during the afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours.
• Lead group of youth through a variety of daily activities while providing group and individual counseling, with an emphasis on strength-based development. Ensure successful development of the youth through rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth define their life goals and then help them achieve those goals‑pointing out thinking errors and faulty cognitions along the way.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 Years of Age or Older per DJJ Guidelines.
• High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years’ relevant experience working with youth is required. Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral services or outdoor recreation specialties is preferred. 2+ years of college in a social or human services can substitute youth experience requirement.
• Direct care in a therapeutic/rehabilitative setting preferred.
• Ability to travel about property, through wilderness terrain. Must be able to pass evaluation of crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques and written certification exam, and use approved techniques as needed. Must be able to participate in aquatic activities. Ability to stand, sit or walk for extended periods of time. Constant exposure to outdoors and/or weather conditions. Responsible for the overall supervision and safety of clients. Supervision may include shift work.
• Must be able to meet requirements for Eckerd’s Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes. Valid and appropriate driver’s license or state identification is required.
• Required to pass a drug screen in compliance with our Substance Abuse and Drug-Free Workplace policy.
• This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties that may be performed by a person so classified.

About Our Program

Eckerd Connects' Girls Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential Program is a gender responsive, complete rehabilitative experience delivered in 4 to 6 months for girls ages 13-17. This 20-bed program is for girls who are referred by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJ). During the 4-6 month stay, the program assists young women in learning the skills and tools needed to successfully re‑integrate with their families, and back into their communities. This residential treatment concept combines promising and evidence‑based practices with a strong family transition component and signifies a public‑private partnership with the Division of Juvenile Justice which has produced an innovative shift in the way youth are served in North Carolina's juvenile justice system. Intensive, short‑term services include individualized treatment and academic plans that combine formal and experiential education, community service, behavioral health, and family counseling in a non‑punitive environment designed to address the youth's behavioral challenges through a strength‑based approach. Youth also receive accredited educational services on‑site and work together in small group settings with assigned counselors.

Girls Residential Academy at Kerr Lake

633 Shepards Way Lane

Manson, NC 27553

About Us Video: https://youtu.be/tYHTa-sBxJI?si=UsTQn1F0yP3-r5Tz

To learn more about our program copy and paste the link into your browser: https://eckerd.org/juvenile-justice-services/residential-services/short-term-residential-services/

Eckerd Connects employees and applicants for employment are covered by federal, state, and local laws designed to safeguard employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Eckerd Connects is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, including individuals with disabilities. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws by providing reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail]. Relay Services Dial 711.

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Copy & paste the link into your browser: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

Eckerd Connects is a drug‑free workplace and utilizes E‑verify to confirm employment eligibility.

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