Program Overview:
Youth Villages’ residential programs in Tennessee and Georgia provide safe, nurturing environments for youth ages 6 to 17 with complex behavioral and mental health challenges. These programs are offered across three types of facilities—secure facilities, open campuses, and group homes—each designed to meet the individual needs of youth exhibiting a range of referral behaviors, including aggression, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and problem sexual behavior.
Our residential campuses deliver an intensive treatment program that strikes a unique balance between structure and freedom, all while preparing youth for continued success outside of a residential setting. A key focus is to help each youth step down to the least restrictive treatment option possible by developing the skills they need to thrive in less structured environments through trauma-informed care, clinical interventions, life skills building, and recreation therapy (in selection locations). Most youth also attend fully accredited schools located on our campuses, ensuring their educational progress continues alongside therapeutic support.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Behavioral Youth Counselor, also known as a Teacher Counselor:
Teaches youth necessary life skills and provides for their daily physical care
Assists in treatment planning for each youth
Participates in youth transports to various locations (including but not limited to doctors’ appointments, court dates, community outings, home passes, etc.)
Participates in recreation therapy sessions with their assigned group of youth
Helps youth develop and implement positive coping skills using therapeutic interventions
Facilitates group therapy sessions to support youth building life skills, social skills, moral reasoning skills, and anger control skills
Completes daily documentation (such as contact notes, milieu notes, and precautionary notes) in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
Performs other duties as assigned
Schedule:
This position works on a non-traditional schedule and requires flexibility as it includes evening and weekend shifts. Behavioral Youth Counselors follow a Sun–Wed or Wed–Sat rotation, generally working between 12:00 PM–10:30 PM, and the weekend day may include a 16-hour shift based on campus staffing models. All roles require at least 40 hours per week, with overtime at time and a half for additional hours. Specific campus schedules and rotation details will be discussed with the hiring manager in the interview process, and any adjustments for training or coverage will be communicated ahead of time.
Additional Information:
The supervision and treatment of youth requires prolonged periods of walking, standing, running, climbing stairs, and physical agility.
Applicants must be able to participate in physical interventions when necessary and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally more than 100 pounds.
Applicants are required to complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and CPR trainings and pass an agility and strength evaluation.
Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license
Compensation:
Average annual salary ranges from $54,000 to $64,000, depending on schedule and hours worked. Time-and-a-half pay is provided for worked holidays.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree (required)
Experience working with at-risk youth and/or families (strongly preferred)
Experience working with youth (required)
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Basic computer knowledge
Ability to maintain a flexible schedule
