Mental Health Worker-Group Home Relief

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch•Great Falls, MT

About The Position

As a Mental Health Worker in therapeutic group homes, you work directly with youth as they build relationships, develop life skills, practice emotional regulation, and work toward individual treatment goals. This is hands-on, relationship-based behavioral health work focused on creating a safe, structured, and supportive home environment where youth can experience consistency, connection, accountability, and opportunities for growth. The role involves supporting youth through everyday routines and activities, including cooking, homework, independent living skills, community outings, and relationship-building conversations. Group homes serve youth with behavioral, emotional, developmental, and trauma-related needs. The work may occasionally involve responding to verbal or physical aggression, self-harm concerns, elopement, or other behavioral health crises. Workers receive training and work as part of a team to respond safely and therapeutically. The broader purpose is to help young people experience safe relationships, develop skills, recognize their strengths, and practice new ways of navigating everyday life.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background checks as required by the State of Montana.
High school diploma required.
Ability to empathize with youth experiencing mental health challenges and provide compassionate care.
Ability to communicate effectively with youth, their families, and treatment team members.
Understanding of professional boundaries and ethical guidelines in mental health care, including confidentiality and respect for patient autonomy.
Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records of youth interactions, treatment plans, and progress notes in compliance with YBGR requirements.
Self-motivated, self-disciplined, diligent, and forward-thinking.
Ability to prioritize the team and define success collectively rather than individually.
Ability to interact and communicate effectively with others, collaborate with colleagues, resolve conflicts, and navigate social situations.
Willingness and ability to obtain First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention certification.

Responsibilities

Build healthy, professional relationships with youth using trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches.
Provide supervision, support, structure, and guidance throughout daily routines.
Help youth identify and practice coping, communication, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.
Support individual treatment goals and implement established treatment and behavioral interventions.
Use everyday activities to reinforce therapeutic goals and healthy decision-making.
Support youth through emotional and behavioral challenges using de-escalation, relationship-based approaches, established safety procedures, and crisis-response skills when needed.
Facilitate recreational, therapeutic, and skill-building activities.
Teach and model independent living skills, including cooking, cleaning, hygiene, organization, budgeting, and caring for a shared living space.
Administer medications according to organizational policies and procedures.
Transport youth to school, appointments, activities, family visits, and community outings.
Complete timely and accurate documentation related to youth progress, behaviors, significant events, medications, and services provided.
Communicate and collaborate with coworkers, managers, treatment team members, families, schools, and other involved professionals as appropriate.
Participate in staff meetings, training, supervision, and ongoing professional development.
Help maintain a clean, safe, welcoming, and home-like environment.