Youth Support Counselor - Trauma-Informed, 24/7 Care

Seattle YMCA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 3,444,000 - 3,857,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Mental health resources

Discounts on programs

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is seeking Direct Care Staff to supervise youth ages 16–18 in a new Adolescent Transitional Living Program on-site at Northgate. You’ll deliver daily supervision, individualized support, trauma‑informed care, and age‑appropriate life skills activities to help residents prepare for independent housing with DCYF collaboration.

You’ll work with a small cohort, document shift logs and plans, and partner with case managers to support each resident’s development.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma/GED/HSEC.
• Minimum one year of experience working with teens or young adults in foster care, group care, housing, education, juvenile justice, anti‑poverty, vocational support, mental health, chemical dependency and/or homelessness fields.
• Must be 21 yrs. of age (unless between 18 and 21yrs and enrolled in an internship, as well as be supervised by a staff 21yrs of age or older).
• Ability to teach effective independence skills for a variety of learning styles and to plan supportive activities.
• Strong youth engagement and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to transport self and client(s) in a safe and effective manner, and to meet clients at community locations; proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required, or ability to travel to areas without public transportation.
• Current state approved First Aid and CPR certification.*
• Current approved HIV blood borne pathogens training.*
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides supervision that is trauma informed and relationship based for children, youth, and young adults placed in these programs.
• Coordinates with the director and case managers to support each resident’s individualized, developmentally appropriate, strengths‑based service plans.
• Completes critical organizational and administrative program tasks.
• Participates in supportive group and individual supervision sessions with supervisor and team.
• Maintains a safe, respectful and appropriate living environment for all residents.
• Demonstrates de‑escalation skills in stressful situations, using preventative behavior management skills whenever possible.
• Builds therapeutic relationships with the residents, both as individuals as well as tending to the group milieu.
• Promotes engagement in various domains of a resident’s life, including but not limited to their child welfare involvement, medical and mental health needs, education, community and cultural values, recreational opportunities, life skills, and family time.
• Supports the day‑to‑day routines of the house such as meal preparation, supervising residents as they complete daily chores and activities of daily living, household laundry, medication management, and group activities.
• Oversee the safety and cleanliness of the program. Perform regularly assigned cleaning tasks and submit maintenance requests as needed.
• Accompanies residents to individual appointments and as a group for community outings.
• Completes critical organizational and administrative program tasks.
• Teams effectively and collaboratively with other staff and/or community partners to plan and facilitate activities.
• Maintains clear, professional, timely shift logs, participant contact notes, incident reports and other documentation in designated databases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Youth engagement

Relationship-building

Communication skills

De-escalation

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma/GED/HSEC

First Aid and CPR certification

HIV blood borne pathogens training

Associates or Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is seeking Direct Care Staff to supervise youth ages 16–18 in a new Adolescent Transitional Living Program on-site at Northgate. You’ll deliver daily supervision, individualized support, trauma‑informed care, and age‑appropriate life skills activities to help residents prepare for independent housing with DCYF collaboration.

You’ll work with a small cohort, document shift logs and plans, and partner with case managers to support each resident’s development.