Use this professional created Youth Counselor job description example to gain some inspiration on how to best craft your job description.
The duties of a youth counselor are varied, but the most important is conducting individual and group counseling sessions for at-risk kids. Counselors are also often required to offer parental support via talking sessions and by scheduling visits with children at appropriate times. They act as assistants to staff physicians, psychologists and therapists, and as a resource for youth residents as well.
Specialized education is vital for your youth counselor job description with the minimum requirement usually being a bachelor’s degree in human services, social sciences or a similar field. Candidates should be able to pass a criminal background check and have experience working with at-risk kids in the past.
Basic computer skills for record keeping and excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with youth, medical professionals, and family members are essential. Compassion, firmness and the ability to model appropriate life skills and behavior are also important.
Youth Counselor Job Description Template
Job Summary
Are you searching for a meaningful career where you can help improve the lives of at-risk children? Our organization is now recruiting for the youth counselor position at a residential treatment facility. As a youth counselor, you will be responsible for helping our population of adolescent and youth residents thrive and reach their goals. You and your team will work with our population in small group settings to ensure that the individuals in our care are emotionally strong, physically safe and socially healthy. If you are ready to be a role model in the lives of young people and are looking to encourage and coach kids to be their best, this could be the right position for you.
Job Responsibilities
- Conduct counseling sessions in group or individual settings to help residents cope with problems related to family issues, abusive histories, drug and alcohol abuse, and other issues.
- Offer additional support to family members by facilitating therapeutic talking sessions or scheduling visitations during appropriate times.
- Assist other staff members such as psychologists, physicians, therapists or supervisors in developing an appropriate plan of success for each individual child on the caseload.
- Monitor each child’s progress during treatment or residence by employing evaluations, gathering documentation and assessing specific goals.
- Demonstrate model behavior, appropriate communication skills and positive feedback so resident young people can make progress with positive behavior interventions.
- Ensure safety of those in residential care by following all proper regulations, safety recommendations and procedures each day.
- Record information and document incidents as they occur to help keep track of problem behaviors or unsafe conditions in the facility.
- Act as a resource to individual residents when they need guidance or advice about specific life situations or social issues.
Job Skills & Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, human services or related field
- Experience working with troubled adolescents or children
- Ability to obtain a clear criminal background check
- Excellent skills with verbal and written communication
Preferred:
- Comfortable working with computers
- Flexible availability
