Youth Counselor

Residential Youth Counselor Job Description

Mount Prospect Academy is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Residential Youth Counselor to join our team in making a positive impact on the lives of young individuals. In this role, you will have the opportunity to mentor and support at-risk youth, providing them with the guidance and care they need to thrive in a residential setting.

Responsibilities:

• Provide supervision and mentor students, including role modeling appropriate behavior, redirection, and crisis management.
• Implement social/recreational activities and involve residents as part of programming.
• Provide care and psychosocial education as prescribed by each individual's treatment plan.
• Deliver direct services to the residents, including daily living skills, meal preparation, hygiene practices, recreational, social activities, and any other duties necessary to reintegrate and reunify our residents into the community and with their families.
• Refine students' social skills, interpersonal skills, habilitation skills, and coping mechanisms through the development of respectful and positive relationships.
• Be a positive role model to help shape growth and build trust.
• Develop polite communication skills and respectfulness of authority.
• Be the first line of support to provide emotional stability during moments of crisis.
• Discover meaningful coping mechanisms for students to deal with crisis or high-stress situations.
• Facilitate the residential routine with intention and thoughtful planning.
• Attend work with punctuality and manage time effectively.
• Participate in pre-shift meetings.
• Plan and execute life-relevant and meaningful programming.
• Internalize daily schedule, show understanding of programmatic rituals and routines.
• Encourage and teach students to engage in stewardship of their environment and themselves.
• Understand and apply knowledge of risk factors, protective factors, and mental health in the execution of the program's residential treatment model.
• Learn and understand the effect of trauma, medical, psychological, and other risk factors.
• Participate in the program's residential treatment model.
• Seek student-specific information through ITPs, training, and assessments.
• Practice negotiation, cooperation, and collaboration with students towards the program's goals.
• Professionally document service delivery and behavior-related incidents in a timely manner.
• Chore logs, and community-specific documentation.
• Incident Reports, FYIs, Pro-Socials.
• Administrator On-Duty Reports.
• ICMP & Strengths-Based Tracking Sheets.
• Color Tracking.
• Residential Milieu Notes.
• Weekly and Monthly reports as required by the program.
• Actively gain understanding of the importance of accurate and timely documentation.
• Act as a professional and seek professional improvement.
• Manage personal stress effectively by regulation of personal agitation levels.
• Establish rapport with students while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Intentionally seek supervision, mentorship, and professional development.
• Connect the program's policies to day-to-day operations and personal decision making.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance.
• Dental Insurance.
• Vision Insurance.
• Retirement Plan (403B).
• STD & LTD.
• Life Insurance.
• AD & D.
• Comprehensive wellness initiatives.
• Paid time off.
• Employee discount program.
• Expense reimbursement.
• Further education opportunities for qualified candidates.

Additional Benefits Working with Mount Prospect Academy:

• Stewardship Center (Outdoor Equipment, Bike/E-Bike, Kayaks/Canoes, Snowshoes, Paintball Course, Ropes/High Ropes, Alpine and Cross-country Skis, Climbing Wall).
• Daily Adventure Outings.
• Potential for Employee Housing.
• Mileage Reimbursements.
• 24/7 Access to Company Gym/Boxing Training Gym.
• Potential Gym membership reimbursement at some programs (AVA).
• Regular Wellness and Team Building Activities (Axe Throwing, Cookouts, Escape Room, Dinner Cruises).
• Free meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
• Dynamic Professional Development Often.
• Faculty Recognition and Rewards Programs (Faculty of the Month, Bonus, Player of the Week, Longevity Awards, Faculty of the year awards).
• Auto Shop, Car Repairs at Cost.
• Woodshop, projects built at Cost.
• Promote from Within.
• Participation with Federal Loan Reimbursement programs.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Associate or bachelor's degree or 60 college credits.
• OR the equivalent of 2 years of full-time experience working with children.
• OR any combination of credits in human services & experience with children that totals 2 years.
• OR 7 years of parenting experience.

Other Requirements:

• Valid driver's license required & 21 + years of age.
• Authorized to work in the United States (Required).
• Satisfactory completion of background and applicable pre-employment checks.
• Application Process: By applying to the position, you will let our team know you are interested. We are currently hiring, and we will reach out shortly to set up a time for an interview.

Mount Prospect Academy assures equal opportunity and public access and, if necessary, affirmative action in all its policies regarding employment and provision of services. MPA does not discriminate in its hiring, programs or policies on the bases of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status or sexual orientation.

Mount Prospect Academy strongly recommends, but does not require, that all MPA faculty (employees) stay protected against COVID-19 by getting their primary vaccine series and stay up to date with a booster dose if they are eligible to receive one.

Bring your expertise in mental health, direct support, behavioral health, residential care, para-education, paraprofessional roles, and youth counseling to MPA. We are seeking individuals with experience in roles such as Residential Youth Counselors, Youth Counselors, Direct Care Professionals, Direct Care Workers, Youth Mentors, Youth Workers, Behavioral Health Professionals, Mental Health Counselors, Youth Specialists, Awake/Overnight Residential Youth Counselors, Residential Community Youth Leaders, Camp Counselors, and Residential Aides. Join us and be a part of the change.

#IDMPA

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