Youth Care Counselor

Job Summary:

The Youth Care Counselor (YCC) maintains a safe and supportive environment for all clients living within RYSE facilities. YCCs provide supervision to assure that each youth is safe and that their individual needs are met. YCCs should act as role models for youth and encourage positive behavior and development.

Job Responsibilities:

Supervise daily and/or nightly routines to meet the needs of the youth

This includes actively engaging with youth, completing necessary documentation, assuring living spaces are clean and safe, and providing information and referrals as appropriate

Provide support and interact with youth in a trauma-sensitive manner that promotes respect, honesty, non-judgment, and empathy

Coordinate and facilitate groups and group activities, including the supervision of youth during special activities and outings

Assume a leadership role, particularly during crises

Work in collaboration with all staff to ensure each youth staying at RYSE receives the best care possible

Ensuring the cleanliness and soundness of the property and its structures, i.e. learning center, shelter, and yard areas are maintained. This includes leading by example as well as engaging youth in keeping the premises tidy

Answer and Respond to the Mobile Crisis Outreach (MCO) phone and collaborate with relevant personnel to resolve the call

Day-to-day requirements include entering information into an electronic and/or paper record and sharing information in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of staff

All other additional duties assigned

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in a human service-related field preferred; High School diploma (or equivalent) and Experience equaling two years may substitute for higher degree

Must be hard-working, mature, and possess a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of RYSE clients, their families, and our community

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to ensure detailed documentation of client information

Must have the ability to make independent decisions, manage multiple functions under stress, and adapt to changing priorities

Must possess the ability to be professional with youth, family members, visitors, government agency representatives and the general public

Able to provide positive role modeling for residents in areas of communication, decision-making, and problem solving

Must participate in all scheduled meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions as requested

Must have an acceptable background check and no record of child abuse

Be able to work independently while maintaining a large community of young adults

Preferred Job Qualifications:

Knowledge or prior experience working with high-risk youth, especially with youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, homelessness, or other traumatic experiences

Prior experience with teaching life skills to young people

Experience working in substance abuse field and/or mental health field

Experience interacting with donors and partner agencies in a positive way

Working knowledge of minor repairs, maintenance, upkeep of basic household equipment

Active Hawai`i Driver’s license and clean driver’s abstract

Knowledge or experience in providing trauma-informed care

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

While performing this job, this position typically spends time sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, driving, carrying (50lbs), and lifting (50lbs), bending, keeling, using a computer, firm/strong grasping, and repetitive hand control, makes and receives telephone calls, use of general office equipment copier, fax machine, and basic office equipment. All other duties assigned.

Work Environment

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.

RYSE is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages all candidates to apply including members of the LGBTQ+ community.