Youth Counselor - All CR Programs

Four Oaks Family & Children Services; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 22,041 - 24,796; Full time

Job summary

Four Oaks Family & Children Services in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking an entry‑level role in nonprofit social services. The position requires a HS diploma or GED, with a preference for a Bachelor's degree, and involves working with youth to reinforce positive behaviors.

Candidates should be 21+, capable of basic MS Office, and committed to strong communication and problem solving. Responsibilities include behavior reinforcement, proactive interventions, behavior management, client documentation,

Qualifications

• Be at least 21 years old with a High School Diploma or GED.
• Desire to help kids and work with youth in school or mental health settings.
• Prior experience with children in educational or mental health environments preferred.
• Strong communication and problem solving abilities are essential.
• Basic computer skills in a MS Office environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent reinforcement to client behavior and teach adaptive behaviors.
• Intervene proactively to prevent problems from escalating.
• Utilize behavior management techniques and de-escalation training with clients.
• Help clients develop insight into their behaviors and self-correct.
• Supervise and implement treatment interventions and establish trustful relationships.
• Document services timely, including daily case notes and observations.
• Safely transport youth to program activities and community resources.
• Collaborate with team to review case progress and adjust programming as needed.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Details

• Level: Entry
• Job Location: Smith Center - Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: High School Diploma or GED
• Salary Range: $16.00 - $18.00 Hourly
• Travel Percentage: No Travel required
• Job Shift: Any
• Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

What you will do

• Providing consistent, individualized reinforcement to client behavior, using daily issues to teach and reinforce adaptive behaviors.
• Utilizing a proactive/preventive method of intercepting problems to neutralize them before they escape.
• Utilizing identified behavior management techniques and de‑escalation training to assist clients in developing appropriate behaviors.
• Assisting clients in developing insight into their behaviors so that they learn to self‑identify and self‑correct.
• Know the population and is aware of individualized treatment plan.
• Provide supervision and treatment intervention.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with the client based on trust & respect.
• Evaluating the impact of behavioral, group treatment, and life‑space interventions while providing direction & feedback.
• Safely transporting youth to/from program activities and community resources while monitoring behaviors.
• Effectively participating in team to review case progress and provide best programming.
• Following medication management guidelines.
• Serving a positive role model and agent of change for the youth.
• Completing documentation of services in a timely manner – including daily case notes, behavior management, visual checks, etc.

Qualifications & Program Information

• You will need to be at least 21 years of age and possess a High School Diploma or GED to qualify. A Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services related field of study is preferred.
• Desire to help kids succeed
• Prior experience working with children in a school or mental health setting preferred
• Strong communication and problem solving abilities
• Basic computer skills in a MS Office environment