Youth Counselor - Day and Evening Shift

Eckerd Connects•Hickory, NC

4h•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves working outdoors and helping at-risk youth and young adults reach their full potential. The Youth Counselor will provide at-risk youth with the tools to begin their process of change and be successful. This position contributes to the positive transformation of at-risk teens in an adolescent residential academy program located in Boomer, North Carolina. The program is a complete rehabilitative experience delivered in 4 to 6 months to adjudicated male youth, ages 13 to 17, referred by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice. It combines promising and evidence-based practices with a strong family transition component and signifies a public-private partnership with the Division of Juvenile Justice. Intensive, short-term services include individualized treatment and academic plans that combine formal and experiential education, community service, behavioral health, and family counseling in a non-punitive environment designed to address the youth's behavioral challenges through a strength-based approach. Youth also receive accredited education on-site and work together in small group settings with assigned counselors.

Requirements

Must be 21 Years of Age or Older per DJJ Guidelines.
High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years’ relevant experience working with youth.
Ability to travel about property, through wilderness terrain.
Must be able to pass evaluation of crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques and written certification exam, and use approved techniques as needed.
Must be able to participate in aquatic activities.
Ability to stand, sit or walk for extended periods of time.
Constant exposure to outdoors and/or weather conditions.
Must be able to meet requirements for Eckerd’s Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes.
Valid and appropriate driver’s license or state identification is required.
Required to pass a drug screen in compliance with our Substance Abuse and Drug-Free Workplace policy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral services or outdoor recreation specialties is preferred.
Direct care in a therapeutic/rehabilitative setting preferred.
2+ years of college in a social or human services can substitute youth experience requirement.

Responsibilities

Act as a positive, supportive role model who guides and influences group activities on a consistent basis that enhances the youth's confidence and self-esteem.
Ensure the progress and welfare of each client and the group through therapeutic programs.
Responsible for staff secure supervision during the afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours.
Lead groups of youth through a variety of daily activities while providing group and individual counseling, with an emphasis on strength-based development.
Ensure successful development of the youth through rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth define their life goals and then help them achieve those goals, pointing out thinking errors and faulty cognitions along the way.
Provide supervision and ensure the safety of clients.
Participate in aquatic activities.
Travel about property and through wilderness terrain.