Youth Counselor - Night Shift

Eckerd Connects•South Hill, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Eckerd Connects is hiring a Youth Counselor for its Girls Residential Academy at Kerr Lake in Manson, North Carolina. The role supports at-risk youth in a residential academy program, providing guidance, supervision, and therapeutic services that help young people build skills, develop confidence, and work toward successful futures. The program serves girls ages 13–17 referred by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Its 4-to-6-month residential treatment model combines individualized treatment and academic plans, formal and experiential education, community service, behavioral health services, family counseling, and on-site accredited education in a non-punitive, strength-based setting. Youth Counselors supervise clients during afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours, ensure their safety and welfare, and lead daily group activities. They provide group and individual counseling, using rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth identify life goals, work toward them, and recognize faulty thinking. The position requires working outdoors and navigating wilderness terrain, as well as participating in aquatic activities and using approved crisis intervention and physical restraint techniques when needed. The schedule is 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The hourly rate is $17.51, with opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and advancement. Meals are provided when on duty, and overtime is available.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old, per DJJ guidelines.
High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of relevant experience working with youth; more than two years of college in social or human services may substitute for the youth experience requirement.
Ability to travel across property through wilderness terrain and to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods.
Ability to pass an evaluation of crisis intervention and physical restraint techniques and a written certification exam, and to use approved techniques as needed.
Ability to participate in aquatic activities.
Must meet Eckerd’s auto insurance requirements and be able to drive for business purposes.
Valid and appropriate driver’s license or state identification is required.
Must pass a drug screen in compliance with the Substance Abuse and Drug-Free Workplace policy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social or behavioral services or outdoor recreation specialties.
Direct care experience in a therapeutic or rehabilitative setting.

Responsibilities

Serve as a positive, supportive role model who guides and influences group activities to enhance youth confidence and self-esteem.
Ensure the progress, welfare, supervision, and safety of each client and the group through therapeutic programming.
Provide staff-secure supervision during afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours, including shift work.
Lead youth in a variety of daily activities and provide group and individual counseling, emphasizing strength-based development.
Use rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth define and achieve life goals and identify thinking errors and faulty cognitions.
Travel across the property, including wilderness terrain, and participate in aquatic activities.
Use approved crisis intervention and physical restraint techniques as needed.