Youth Development Specialist (Youth Counselor)

Northwest Passage; Frederic (WI); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Savings

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Life and AD&D Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Northwest Passage seeks a Youth Development Specialist to provide quality youth care in a residential treatment setting. You will supervise, document progress, and model positive behavior for children and adolescents in a structured home environment.

Hours are Monday-Friday, 2:15 pm-10:15 pm. We value teamwork, resilience, and a strong work ethic to support growth and wellness for clients and staff alike.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in a social or behavioral science field or equivalent experience with youth.
• Proven experience working with youth who have significant mental health needs.
• Reliability and ability to follow through on commitments.
• Strong self-regulation and self-care to handle stress.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Enthusiasm for learning and growth; feedback-driven.
• Proven adaptability to change.
• Commitment to serving others.
• Must be able to work Monday-Friday, 2:15 pm-10:15 pm.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a structured, safe living environment for youth in treatment.
• Develop, coordinate, and execute programming initiatives.
• Provide nurturing, close supervision for high-risk youth per treatment plan.
• Ensure residents’ basic needs—meals, exercise, hygiene, sleep—are met.
• Document program activities and resident behavior accurately.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and educational classes.

Skills

Youth experience

Reliability

Self-regulation

Communication

Adaptability

Teamwork

Work ethic

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Northwest Passage, we focus on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our PassageWay Elements: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. These elements are central to our approach, combining traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Since 1978, we've been dedicated to providing high-quality care in a community dedicated in hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for our clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire.

Northwest Passage proudly serves individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed and supported. Northwest Passage looks to build our team with candidates who are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to all of our clients, demonstrating resilience, determination, collaboration, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. At Northwest Passage, you will foster hope through your involvement in the healing process. Guided by the PassageWay Elements, we strive to create a positive environment for growth and wellness for both our clients and staff.

Position Description

The Youth Development Specialist is responsible for providing services to children and adolescents as determined with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The position provides quality youth care and close intensive supervision of clients in a residential treatment setting. This includes a range of residential services, tracking and reporting on residents' treatment progress, and serving as a positive role model for behavior. The Youth Development Specialist position represents one of the central relationships for clients in the constellation of therapeutic activities and life at Northwest Passage.

Hours are Monday-Friday 2:15-10:15 pm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a structured and safe living environment for youth as they participate in assessment/treatment.
• Develop, coordinate, and execute programming initiatives.
• Provide a nurturing environment with close, intensive supervision for high risk youth in accordance with least restrictive treatment measures.
• Assure residents’basic needs are met including meals, exercise, hygiene, and sleep.
• Assure residents’emotional needs are met in accordance with the individual treatment or assessment plan.
• Recognize and adjust communication to meet residents’needs. Provide feedback that is clear, specific, timely, and respectful.
• Work with residents to provide solutions for problematic behaviors.
• Document program activities, residents’behaviors and program participation, and significant incidents involving residents.
• Attend all staff meetings, trainings, and educational classes as required.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment.
• Understand and follow agency policies.
• Maintain an understanding of mental health concepts, psychotropic medications, and client symptomology.
• Advocate for appropriate goals, wants, and needs of residents.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in a social or behavioral science field (e.g. psychology, social work, sociology, education) or equivalent courses and/or relevant experienceworking with youth who have significant mental health needs
• Proven experience working with youth who have significant mental health needs
• Demonstrated reliability, with an ability to follow through on commitments and expectations
• Strong self-regulation skills to remain calm in stressful situations, and effective self-care strategies to support personal well-being and resiliency
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others from diverse backgrounds
• Enthusiasm for learning and growth, and ability to receive feedback and learn from mistakes
• Proven ability to adapt to change
• Commitment to serving others and making a difference in the lives of youth
• Must be able to work Monday-Friday, 2:15 pm-10:15 pm

Values

In addition to responsibilities and qualifications, ideal candidates will show an understanding of and an ongoing dedication to actively applying Northwest Passage's values, which are embedded into each role:

• Quality & Adaptability
• Respect & Compassion
• Leadership & Courage
• $21.00-$28.00/hour wage
• Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Savings with Discretionary Employer Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Employer-PaidShort-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer-PaidLife and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (mental health benefit)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs)
• Longevity Benefit
• Relocation Assistance
• Northwest Passage is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for student loan forgiveness
• Unmatched real-world experience in the fields of mental health, experiential programming, and nature-based programming

Northwest Passage is an equal employment opportunity employer.