Residential Counselor 1 - Avanti

Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin•Blaine, MN

5d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

Come join our life-changing team building hope, resilience and well-being as a Residential Counselor at Avanti in Blaine! We are offering a generous retention bonus of $1,000! Avanti Center for Girls offers a continuum of shelter, evaluation, and residential treatment services. Provide direct care, supervision, and therapeutic support to youth during morning and evening hours, ensuring safety, dignity, compassion, professionalism, accountability, and trauma-informed, whole-person support.

Requirements

Must be 21 years of age or older
Must pass criminal background checks
Must have a current and valid Driver's License.
High School diploma required

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related field preferred.
Experience with youth in residential, school, recreation, or behavioral health setting, preferred.
CPR/First Aid, crisis intervention, and other mandated trainings as provided by VOA.

Responsibilities

Morning Routine Support: Support youth with daily routines and programming, using calm, encouraging, and predictable approaches. Provide coaching for morning regulation and readiness for the school day. Ensure youth transition to breakfast, medications (if trained), and school safely. Communicate morning concerns or successes to the team and document appropriately.
Evening Routine Support: Support youth with returning from school or programming with relational, compassionate engagement. Facilitate structured activities, chores, and recreation while modeling healthy skills. Facilitate programming groups, skill-building, or therapeutic activities as directed. Assist with evening hygiene, transitions to quiet time, and bedtime preparation. Promote consistency, predictability, and trauma-responsive routines.
Therapeutic Milieu Support: Contribute to a structured, trauma-informed, healing-centered environment. Model and teach health communication, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional regulation. Support positive peer interactions and intervene early to prevent escalation.
Crisis Response & De-Escalation: Respond to emerging conflicts or crises using trauma-informed de-escalation techniques. Use verbal, relational, and environmental interventions before physical strategies. Implement safety holds only if required and trained, following all policies. Participate in post-incident debriefs, documentation, and restoration.
Other Duties as Assigned: Support cross-team activities or program needs. Assist with group facilitation, outings, or enrichment activities. Complete administrative duties that support program effectiveness as assigned.