Youth Counselor I

Aspiranet; Turlock (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Aspiranet’s Hope Forward Campus in Turlock is hiring a Therapeutic Youth Counselor I to provide direct care and supervision for up to four youth, supporting structure, meals, school, activities, and therapeutic interventions.

You will collaborate with Behavioral Health and Social Work professionals to implement trauma-responsive treatment plans and participate in ongoing trainings, supervision, and licensing compliance in a dynamic, healing-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any field (Psychology, Social Work or related fields preferred).
• Valid Child Development Teaching Permit.
• Completed 12 semester units in early childhood education, psychology, adolescent development, criminal justice, or foster/kinship care education.
• Valid certificate as an alcohol and/or drug counselor.
• Previous employment as a staff or volunteer at a group home or STRTP for at least 1 year.
• Relevant life experience in child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, or as a mentor/caregiver for youth who have experienced trauma.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in a brand-new facility designed for healing and innovation.
• Implement structured daily cottage routines that honor the individual rituals and cultural traditions of youth.
• Stage and lead engaging therapeutic activities, including transportation as needed.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, ensuring supplies and resources are available.
• Support the compliant distribution of self-administered medications.
• Complete documentation and contact notes in accordance with program and funder standards.
• Learn and apply Aspiranet’s core practice models (ARC, Youth Thrive, CRM, LSCI, ProAct, MI).
• Assist youth in amplifying their voice and choice throughout the treatment process.
• Report incidents, progress, and barriers to the supervisory team.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation consistent with agency and licensing standards.
• Attend regular meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions for professional growth.
• Ensure compliance with Community Care Licensing, The Joint Commission, and CA DHCS.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in any field

Child Development Teaching Permit

12 semester units in ECE/psych/adolescent development/criminal justice/kinship care

Alcohol/drug counselor certificate

Experience in STRTP or group home

Life experience in child welfare/mental health

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Brief Description

Therapeutic Youth Counselor I (STRTP) Part Time Day Shift

Turlock, CA

Empower Youth. Create Hope.

Join Aspiranet’s brand-new Hope Forward Campus: a reimagined, state-of-the-art environment where innovative therapeutic programming meets compassionate care.

Learn more: Aspiranet’s Hope Forward Campus

Location

On-Site – Turlock, CA

Schedule

Part-Time | Non-Exempt

Department

Residential Division – STRTP Program

Reports to

Program Supervisor

Pay Range

$21.00 - $23.00/hr

Shift

7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday and Sunday

The pay range for this position is $21.00- $23.00 per hour for employees hired in the Central Valley, CA. The pay range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired within the Central Valley region. Candidates hired in Southern California or Bay Area locations may have higher starting salaries due to cost of living and market data differences. Factors that may be used to determine your actual starting salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and internal comparison to other employees who hold a similar role.

Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet’s Hope Forward Campus in Turlock is undergoing a transformation that once complete in 2026 will offer the next generation of therapeutic residential care. The expanded campus is designed to meet the varying levels of behavioral health and crisis needs for children and youth in the Central Valley. Designed with open community spaces, and advanced trauma-informed resources, the campus brings together innovative programming, family engagement, and integrated behavioral health services.

As part of this pioneering environment, you’ll have the opportunity to help build a new culture of healing, connection, and growth where every youth’s journey is supported by dedicated, highly trained staff and a community that believes in second chances.

About Aspiranet

Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide a continuum of care across California through six service divisions: Foster and Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family and Community. Every role at Aspiranet contributes to something greater: building a future where every child is loved, every family supported, and every individual equipped to succeed.

Summary

The Therapeutic Youth Counselor I (TYC I) is the heart of our newly designed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) on the Hope Forward Campus. You’ll join a passionate team launching innovative therapeutic models and creating a dynamic environment where youth can heal, learn, and thrive.

You’ll provide direct care and supervision for up to four youth, helping to support structure, stability, and confidence through daily routines: meals, school, activities, and therapeutic interventions. As part of Aspiranet’s Therapeutic Community of Care, you’ll collaborate with Behavioral Health and Social Work professionals to implement integrated, trauma-responsive treatment plans that truly change lives.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Collaborate in a brand-new facility purpose-built for healing and innovation.
• Participate as an active member of a therapeutic community of care focused on trauma-responsive, strength-based treatment and transition planning.
• Implement structured daily cottage routines that honor the individual rituals, spiritual, and cultural traditions of youth.
• Stage and lead engaging therapeutic activities, including transportation as needed.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, ensuring supplies and resources are available.
• Support the compliant distribution of self-administered medications.
• Complete documentation and contact notes in accordance with program and funder standards.
• Learn and apply Aspiranet’s core practice models, including:
  • Attachment, Regulation & Competency (ARC) \\
  • Youth Thrive / Strengthening Families
  • Community Resiliency Model (CRM)
  • Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI)
  • Professional Assault Crisis Training (ProAct)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Assist youth in amplifying their voice and choice throughout the treatment process.
• Report incidents, progress, and barriers to the supervisory team.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation consistent with agency and licensing standards.
• Attend regular meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions to enhance professional growth.
• Ensure compliance with Community Care Licensing, The Joint Commission, and CA Department of Health Care Services

Requirements

Qualifications

Candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field preferred), OR
• Valid Child Development Teaching Permit, OR
• Completed 12 semester units in early childhood education, psychology, adolescent development, criminal justice, or foster/kinship care education, OR
• Valid certificate as an alcohol and/or drug counselor, OR
• Previous employment as a staff or volunteer at a group home or STRTP for at least 1 year, OR
• Relevant life experience in child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, or as a mentor/caregiver for youth who have experienced trauma.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Meet all state conditions for employment in a licensed community care facility, including fingerprint and child abuse index clearance, health/TB screening, and a valid CA driver’s license with a clean record.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole. Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

Aspiranet may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the recruitment process, including application screening, candidate communications, and interview scheduling. AI tools assist our hiring team but do not make employment decisions. All hiring decisions are made by Aspiranet staff based on job-related qualifications, experience, and organizational needs. Questions about the use of your information may be directed to Human Resources.