Youth Counselor BFOQ: Male

Chesterfield County • Chesterfield, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home is hiring a Youth Counselor to provide general supervision and care to court-involved youth. This role involves working directly with up to eight residents in a secure environment, helping them maintain positive behavior through encouragement, redirection, and a positive focus on an incentive-based behavior management program. Residents are navigating the juvenile justice system, often without strong family or community support, and the Youth Counselor may be the first positive influence in their lives. Responsibilities include helping residents manage conflict, work towards their education, conduct psycho-educational groups on topics like anger, peer pressure, and substance use, and engage in recreational activities and informal discussions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Three years of experience working with children or teenage groups, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Great active listening skills and a genuine curiosity.
• Superior interpersonal skills.
• Professional maturity.
• A calm, empathetic, and consistent demeanor.
• The ability to communicate clearly, tactfully, and efficiently, both orally and in writing.
• Receptivity to constructive feedback.
• The ability to remain calm, problem-solve, and make decisions in stressful situations.
• Must pass a Virginia Central Registry check.
• Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.
• Must be male (BFOQ - Bona Fide Occupational Qualification).

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide general supervision and care to court-involved youth.
• Help residents maintain positive behavior through encouragement, redirection, and an incentive-based behavior management program.
• Assist residents in managing conflict with peers.
• Support residents in working towards their education.
• Conduct psycho-educational groups addressing topics such as anger, peer pressure, and substance use.
• Engage residents during gym time and informal discussions.
• Perform other work as required.
• Physically restrain a resident if necessary to protect the safety of staff, other residents, or themselves.
• Sit and talk one-on-one with residents for extended periods.

Benefits

• Attractive benefits package.
• Career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED