DSHS Lake Burien Psychiatric Youth Counselor 2

State of Washington • King County – Burien, WA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Youth Counselor 2 will assist with activities of daily living, model appropriate behavior, implement evident-based practices and provide coaching, teaching, mentoring, and related support for youth. The facility will open with 12 beds and 108 full-time employees with potential growth to 24 beds and 196+ full-time employees. The property was designed with children and youth in mind and features accessible spaces for onsite educational services and therapies, as well as access to outdoor space. This therapeutic facility helps youth, age 13 and older, with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex co-occuring needs such as mental illness or substance use disorder. As a Psychiatric Youth Counselor 2, you'll help young people learn how to manage big feelings, build healthy skills and feel safe. Some days you will coach them through daily routines. Other days you will help them through hard moments when emotions run high. Every day, you are part of a team that believes growth is possible. You will work closely with a clinical treatment team and support a small group of youth. You are not doing this alone. You are modeling healthy behavior, using proven approaches and helping create a safe, structured environment where healing can happen. Please note: We have multiple on-call positions available covering all shifts.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Social Sciences, Education, Recreation, Psychology, or related field.
• Satisfactory completion of two years of college, preferably with emphasis in one of the social sciences AND two years of experience working with individuals in a psychiatric, mental health or health care setting.
• Equivalent education/experience.
• Crisis response: Apply calm and structured intervention strategies to safely de-escalate highly emotional or volatile situations.
• Emotional regulation: Maintain a steady and nonpunitive approach during stressful interactions with youth.
• Therapeutic modeling: Implement evidence-based approaches under supervision to reinforce positive behavior and coping strategies.
• Activity planning: Coordinate and supervise safe, structured activities both on and off campus.
• Adaptability: Adjust quickly to changing circumstances while maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with activities of daily living based on age-appropriate approaches, model evidence-based practices.
• Provide situational counseling, orientation and mentorship to a small caseload of youth.
• Facilitate social skills, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Document behaviors and progress.
• Intervene in crisis situations and use de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies.
• Assist in on and off-campus therapeutic activities.

Benefits

• King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary
• Eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use
• Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary
• Evening and Night shifts include a shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate

What This Job Offers

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