Youth Development Specialist (Youth Counselor)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Savings with Discre

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Life and AD&D Insurance

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Supplemental Health Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Relocation Assistance

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Northwest Passage, Ltd. in Wisconsin seeks a Youth Development Specialist to provide direct care, supervision, and support for youth in a residential setting. You will promote emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and life skills through daily activities aligned with PassageWay elements.

Hours are Monday–Friday, 2:15 PM–10:15 PM. The role emphasizes safety, evidence-based behavior support, and collaboration with staff to achieve individualized treatment goals.

Qualifications

• Reliability in following through on commitments and expectations.
• Strong self-regulation to stay calm in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and grow from mistakes.
• Proven ability to adapt to changes in program and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Supervise youth across residential, outdoor, and community settings.
• Develop and implement activities supporting regulation and PassageWay elements.
• Maintain a safe, structured environment with routine and rhythm.
• Meet youths' basic needs including nutrition, hygiene, and rest.
• Foster positive relationships and effective communication with youth.

Skills

Reliability

Self-regulation

Communication

Adaptability

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's/Associate in social or behavioral science

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 provides direct care, supervision, and support to youth in a residential treatment setting. This role represents one of the central relationships for youth in the constellation of therapeutic activities at Northwest Passage. The Youth Development Specialist helps create a safe, structured, and nurturing environment where youth can develop emotional regulation, build healthy relationships, strengthen life skills, and work toward individualized treatment goals. Through daily interactions, activities, and behavior support, the Youth Development Specialist plays a critical role in each youth's growth, healing, and success.

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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide close supervision of youth across residential, outdoor, and community settings.
• Develop and implement program activities that support regulation and emphasize PassageWay elements:Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit.
• Integrate routines and rhythms to provide a safe and structured environment.
• Ensure that youths' basic needs are met including nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and rest.
• Cultivate connections with youth from diverse backgrounds and model effective relational, communication, and conflict-management skills.
• Build a curious, attuned stance to understand the emotions, needs, and experiences that drive youth behaviors.
• Effectively respond to youths' behaviors by being proactive, identifying patterns, meeting needs, supporting regulation, and purposefully using behavior response strategies such as praise and reinforcement, problem-solving, and limit-setting.
• Utilize least restrictive measures necessary to maintain safety, emphasizing connection and co-regulation.
• Build on youths' strengths and assist them in developing a positive sense of self.
• Maintain awareness of personal responses to youth behavior and use strategies to maintain self-regulation.
• Assist youth in understanding of their emotional experience and their ability to tolerate, express, and manage their emotions through co-regulation and skill-building.
• Develop an understanding of mental health concepts, psychotropic medications, and client symptomology.
• Advocate for appropriate goals, wants, and needs of residents.
• Transport youth to off-campus activities using Northwest Passage vehicles, including 15-passenger vans.
• Complete all required documentation within expected timeframes and adhering to professional standards.
• Attend and engage in all required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain a clean and safe treatment environment.
• Understand and adhere to agency policies and procedures.

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 experience working 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

• 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-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer-Paid Life 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
• Tuition Assistance/Loan Reimbursement (available through an application and approval process)
• Unmatched real-world experience in the fields of mental health, experiential programming, and nature-based programming

Northwest Passage is an equal employment opportunity employer.