Outdoor Youth Counselor

our Program • Valdosta, GA

23d • Onsite

About The Position

Eckerd Connects’ Camp E-Nini-Hassee is hiring Outdoor Youth Counselors for its residential outdoor therapeutic wilderness program in Floral City, Florida. Counselors live on-site and support girls ages 12 to 17 who may experience low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, family conflict, neglect, academic difficulties, or other emotional and behavioral challenges. The role combines daily supervision and mentoring, therapeutic support and group counseling, hygienic oversight, and outdoor therapeutic activities. Counselors also serve as co-teachers while residents attend the on-site school and help maintain an environment conducive to learning.

This is a live-in position with a flexible schedule that includes some nights and weekends. Counselors provide supervision for 24 hours a day, five days a week, while sleeping during the 24-hour period; Night Watch employees assist with overnight supervision. Counselors reside on-site adjacent to youth campsites in open-air cabins during their working days. Furnished on-site housing is also provided at no cost for rest and refreshment during the two days off each week; alternatively, counselors may arrange self-funded off-site housing. Relocation to the site is required. The position offers a starting salary of $36,500 and opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and advancement.

Camp E-Nini-Hassee, founded in 1969, provides a strength-based residential outdoor therapeutic program for at-risk girls. Its approach includes reality therapy, staff alliances, group therapy, individualized treatment, family services, outdoor experiences, and accredited on-site education with certified teachers and transferable credits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods, reside in open-air cabins during working days, and walk regularly across wilderness terrain.
• Flexible schedule availability, including some nights and weekends, for a 24-hour/five-day work week.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in a wilderness setting with exposure to outdoor and weather conditions.
• Completion of a Level 2 background screening through Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.
• Relocation to the on-site location is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic support to 10–12 teenage girls experiencing personal, family, academic, or emotional challenges.
• Provide daily supervision and support to residents in a structured, safe living environment, including overall supervision 24 hours a day for five days a week.
• Provide daily hygienic oversight and therapeutic support or group counseling related to teenage girls.
• Guide and mentor residents as they navigate personal and educational challenges and foster positive relationships with them.
• Serve as a co-teacher while youth attend the on-site school and monitor behavior to help maintain an environment conducive to learning.
• Use conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to support residents in crisis situations.
• Participate in therapeutic outdoor adventures.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 19 days of paid time off during the first year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match up to 5%.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability.
• Group term life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary term life insurance.
• Meals provided when on duty.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• PTO Exchange.
• On-site housing provided at no cost.
• Relocation assistance provided.
• Starting salary of $36,500 with opportunity for leadership development, professional growth, and advancement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level