Youth Counselor: Mentor Teens & Build Resilience

Grant Gardens; Grayson (KY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Gardens in Kentucky seeks Youth Counselors to provide direct care, mentorship, and behavioral support to adolescents aged 13–17 in residential treatment. You will supervise daily routines, lead activities, reinforce treatment goals, and work with therapists and educators in a trauma-informed, supportive team.

You’ll participate in crisis prevention, safety planning, and documentation, while building trusting relationships and helping residents develop coping skills for healthier futures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be 21 years or older.
• Ability to provide attentive supervision and stay calm.
• Strong communication, observation, teamwork, and documentation skills.
• Ability to follow treatment plans, safety procedures, and confidentiality requirements.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, AED, and TCI certifications within required agency timeframes.
• Ability to meet required background clearance, health screening, and employment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide active supervision and maintain resident safety during daily routines, activities, campus transitions, and assigned community outings.
• Build positive, professional relationships through consistency, encouragement, active listening, and appropriate boundaries.
• Support daily living routines, including hygiene, meals, chores, school transitions, recreation, and bedtime.
• Coach residents in coping skills, emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, and positive peer interactions.
• Facilitate or assist with recreational activities, structured groups, and skill-building opportunities.
• Implement assigned components of treatment plans, behavior support strategies, and safety plans under supervisory and clinical direction.
• Recognize early signs of distress and use approved crisis prevention and verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Respond to immediate safety concerns using approved Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) techniques only as trained and authorized.
• Document behavioral observations, safety checks, activities, and incidents accurately and promptly.
• Communicate resident progress, concerns, and important updates during shift handoffs and treatment team discussions.
• Work collaboratively with supervisors, Youth Counselors, therapists, nursing staff, and educators.
• Protect resident confidentiality, report safety concerns, and maintain professional boundaries.

Skills

Communication

Observation

Teamwork

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Grant Gardens in Kentucky seeks Youth Counselors to provide direct care, mentorship, and behavioral support to adolescents aged 13–17 in residential treatment. You will supervise daily routines, lead activities, reinforce treatment goals, and work with therapists and educators in a trauma-informed, supportive team.

You’ll participate in crisis prevention, safety planning, and documentation, while building trusting relationships and helping residents develop coping skills for healthier futures.