Youth Counselor - BFOQ/Female

Chesterfield County; Virginia; On-site; USD 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Chesterfield County's Juvenile Detention Home is seeking a Youth Counselor to provide general supervision and care to court-involved youth, with up to eight residents in a secure setting. The role emphasizes encouraging positive behavior and facilitating education under an incentive-based program.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED with three years of experience with children or teens; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with three years of experience working with children or teenage groups, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise up to eight residents in a secure setting and help maintain positive behavior.
• Conduct psycho-educational groups addressing anger, peer pressure and substance use.
• Support residents' education and daily routines, including meals and recreation.

Skills

Active listening

Interpersonal skills

Professional maturity

Calm demeanor

Clear written & verbal communication

Feedback receptivity

Problem-solving under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred (social work/psychology/sociology or related field)

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

PLEASE NOTE: BFOQ – FEMALE. This position must be filled by a female.

We know you: you’re compassionate, enjoy working with kids and understand that with dedication, humility and sincerity, you can make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.

Serving At-Risk Youth: Ensuring time with us is rare, fair, and beneficial.

The Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home is hiring a Youth Counselor to provide general supervision and care to court-involved youth.

What You Do And How You Do It

You will be working directly with up to eight residents in a secure environment. Our residents need help maintaining positive behavior through encouragement, redirection, and a positive focus on our incentive-based behavior management program. While in our care, residents are trying to navigate a confusing world: the juvenile justice system. Many of our residents do not come from the best backgrounds. They may not have much family or community support. You may be the first positive influence they have had in their lives. So, when they have a rough day in school, receive bad news from family or in court, or just wake up on the wrong side of the bed, they are counting on you to help them through the day with a positive, caring attitude. You will help them manage conflict with peers; work towards their education; conduct psycho-educational groups that address anger, peer pressure, and substance use among other topics; have fun during gym time, and sometimes just discuss a movie they watched or a book they read while sharing a meal with them. You’ll also perform other work as required.

Here’s What You Need

High school diploma or GED and three years of experience working with children or teenage groups; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology or related field is preferred.

• Great active listening skills and a genuine curiosity
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Professional maturity
• A calm, empathetic, and consistent demeanor
• The ability to communicate clearly, tactfully, and efficiently, both orally and in writing
• Receptivity to constructive feedback
• The ability to remain calm, problem-solve, and make decisions in stressful situations

The salary range is $50,649 - $59,513 annually.

• plus an attractive benefits package.

Must pass a Virginia Central Registry check.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.

This position is considered Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Real Talk

We’ll be honest-you will have hard days in this job. The youth we serve have had difficult lives and have experienced various forms of trauma. There are times you may have to physically restrain a resident in order to protect the safety of staff, other residents, or even their own safety. Or you may need to sit and talk one‑on‑one with them for an hour just so you don’t have to physically restrain them. The residents you serve may not thank you for the job you do. They may even curse at you because of it. You may not get to see the long‑term impact you’ve had on residents. We understand this job is not for everyone, but if you have a passion for kids and are committed to making a positive difference in their lives, we want you on our team.

This position is a part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications and experience.

PLEASE NOTE: Position open until filled (first review to begin September 14, 2026).

Shift

Shift to be determined; includes weekends and holidays

Work Location

Juvenile Detention Home

Chesterfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion