Youth Counselor - STOP

Four Oaks Family & Children Services; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Four Oaks Family & Children Services is seeking an ENTRY Youth Counselor for our STOP Campus in Bertram, IA. You will work with adolescent boys 12–17, providing structure, support, and consistency during a pivotal time, helping them build skills and make better choices.

The role involves supervising youth, transporting when needed, collaborating with the team, and following BHIS guidelines. A high school diploma or GED is required, with a preferred bachelor’s in Human Services.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Additional requirements include:

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships with youth based on consistency, trust, respect, and appropriate boundaries.
• Provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment while maintaining appropriate supervision.
• Use everyday situations to teach problem-solving, communication, accountability, coping, and other life skills.
• Recognize potential problems early and use proactive strategies to prevent escalation.
• Utilize behavior-management and de-escalation techniques to help youth develop healthier responses.
• Understand each youth's treatment plan and provide supervision and interventions.
• Complete required documentation accurately and on time, including daily case notes and behavioral records.

Skills

Desire to help kids succeed

Strong communication

Problem solving abilities

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Bertram Campus - Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, 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: 2nd Shift, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, Be the person who shows up. Be the example. Make an impact.

Looking for a job where no two days are the same—and where the work you do truly matters?

As a Youth Counselor at our STOP Campus in Bertram, Iowa, you’ll work directly with boys ages 12–17, providing structure, support, encouragement, and consistency during an important time in their lives. This isn't a desk job. You'll be actively involved in their day, helping youth build skills, navigate challenges, make better choices, and recognize their potential.

What is STOP?

Our STOP (Supervised Treatment Opportunity Program) Campus is a structured residential program serving adolescent boys ages 12–17. The program provides a safe, supportive, and highly structured environment where youth can work on behavioral needs, develop positive coping and life skills, build healthy relationships, and prepare for successful transitions back to their families and communities.

At STOP, our goal isn't simply to supervise youth, it's to meet them where they are, hold them accountable, recognize their strengths, and help them move forward.

What You'll Do

• Build meaningful relationship with youth based on consistency, trust, respect, and appropriate boundaries.
• Provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment while maintaining appropriate supervision.
• Use everyday situations as opportunities to teach problem-solving, communication, accountability, coping, and other life skills.
• Recognize potential problems early and use proactive strategies to help prevent situations from escalating.
• Utilize approved behavior-management and de-escalation techniques to help youth develop healthier responses and behaviors.
• Help youth gain insight into their choices, recognize patterns, and learn to self-identify and self-correct behaviors.
• Understand each youth's individual treatment plan and provide appropriate supervision and treatment interventions.
• Participate in group, behavioral, and life-space interventions and provide appropriate feedback and direction.
• Ensure youths' basic needs are consistently and appropriately met.
• Serve as a positive role model and an agent of change for the youth in our care.
• Safely transport youth to program activities and community resources while following agency transportation and supervision protocols.
• Work collaboratively with your team, supervisors, and other professionals to review progress and provide the best possible programming for each youth.
• Follow medication-management guidelines and established program procedures.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS).
• Complete required documentation accurately and on time, including daily case notes, behavioral documentation, visual checks, and other program records.

If you're looking for more than just a job and want an opportunity to make a difference for youth who need positive, consistent adults in their corner, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications & Program Information: What you need:

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. Additional requirements include:

• 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