Youth and Family Support Counselor
About The Position
Are you passionate about supporting youth and families during critical moments? Youth Outreach Services (YOS) is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Youth & Family Support Counselor to support youth ages 11–17 and their families during times of crisis. This role focuses on stabilizing youth within their homes and preventing involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. Position overview: The Youth & Family Support Counselor works within the CCBYS program, providing crisis intervention, home-based counseling, and stabilization services. This role involves direct collaboration with families, community partners, and law enforcement when needed, ensuring youth receive immediate and ongoing support in high-risk situations. Schedule & work structure: Rotating schedule based on program needs 2–3 on-call shifts per week (including weekends, day and night shifts) In-person response required (within approximately 1 hour) After successful completion of the probationary period, partial remote work may be available for documentation Ideal candidate profile: Eager to learn and grow within a mission-driven organization Strong interest in working with at-risk youth and families Background in social services, criminal justice, or structured environments Comfortable working with diverse populations and multiple stakeholders Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-oriented in crisis situations Why Join Us? Gain hands-on experience: Ideal for individuals building their careers in social services, with exposure to crisis intervention, case management, and community-based support Make a meaningful impact: Support youth and families during critical moments and help prevent involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems Independent & collaborative work: Balance autonomy in the field with strong team support and cross-functional collaboration Engaging work environment: Be part of a mission-driven organization with a supportive culture and team-based approach
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field required
- Strong willingness to learn and work with dedication and consistency
- Ability to handle high-stress and crisis situations effectively
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills
- Valid driver’s license required
- Must reside within the city of Chicago
Nice To Haves
- Experience with youth or families preferred (not required)
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
- Reliable daily access to a personal vehicle strongly preferred (candidates without a vehicle may still be considered if willing to obtain one)
Responsibilities
- Respond to crisis situations in collaboration with police departments and community partners
- Provide intensive, home-based counseling and stabilization services
- Support youth and families in managing conflict and improving family functioning
- Conduct assessments and develop individualized service plans
- Connect families to appropriate internal and external resources
- Provide services for up to 90 days per case
- Maintain accurate documentation and case records
- Participate in weekly team meetings and case consultations
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Short/Long-Term Disability
- 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
- Generous paid time off (PTO)
- Eligibility for one remote workday per week after a 90-day probation period
- Mileage reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
