CSRS Youth Counselor

Child Saving Institute•Council Bluffs, IA

15d•Onsite

About The Position

Child Saving Institute (CSI) is seeking a Crisis Youth Counselor for its short-term Crisis Stabilization program at Children Square Campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The role provides direct support, mentorship, and supervision to children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises. The counselor helps implement behavior-management and de-escalation techniques and serves as an advocate and support system for youth. The position starts at $20.00 per hour and is listed for the 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift. Applicants must meet at least one of the eight listed minimum qualification pathways and demonstrate a positive, reliable work ethic, experience working with children and families, and the ability to support youth with emotional or behavioral disorders.

Requirements

Meet at least one of the following minimum qualification pathways: be a mental health professional as defined in Iowa Code section 228.1; have a bachelor’s degree with 30 semester hours or equivalent in a human services field and at least one year of behavioral or mental health services experience; be a law enforcement officer trained in crisis intervention, including mental health first aid and mental health in-service training; be an emergency medical technician trained in crisis intervention, including mental health first aid; be a peer support specialist with at least mental health first aid certification; be a family support peer specialist with at least mental health first aid certification; be a registered nurse with two years of mental or behavioral health experience; or have a bachelor’s degree in a non-human-services field, an associate’s degree, or a high school diploma or equivalent, plus at least two years of behavioral or mental health services experience and 30 hours of crisis and mental health in-service training in addition to the required 30 hours of department-approved training.
Have a positive and reliable work ethic.
Have experience working with children and families.
Know childcare practices, developmental issues, and group processes.
Understand theories and practices for supporting emotionally dysregulated children.
Be able to handle crises and work with children and youth experiencing emotional or behavioral disorders.

Responsibilities

Supervise youth in the short-term Crisis Stabilization program.
Implement behavior-management and de-escalation techniques.
Provide direct support and mentorship to children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises.
Serve as an advocate and support system for youth.