Youth Counselor III

Interested in being part of positive change and making a meaningful difference in child welfare services?  Founded in 1975 with locations across California, Aspiranet is a trusted neighbor, partner, and care provider dedicated to building a world where all children and youth are loved and cared for, and all families have the resources to thrive through a unique blend of services across six distinct programs.  We have an exciting opportunity for a Therapeutic Youth Counselor III in our Residential Program which provides a therapeutic campus and community home environment for youth where they can thrive and work through challenges to rewrite their life story!  

Your Impact 

The Therapeutic Youth Counselor III (TYC III, Youth Counselor Team Lead) is the senior position in the TYC series responsible for providing support and oversight of junior youth counselor staff as well providing therapeutic interventions, care and supervision of youth residing in a Short-Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP). You will engage youth with daily routines inclusive of school, therapeutic activities, and interventions.  The TYC III is the senior-level position in the TYC series and is a member of Aspiranet’s Therapeutic Community of Care which includes Behavioral Health and Social Work professionals working together to implement an integrated treatment plan within a safe and welcoming trauma-responsive environment.  

To learn more about Aspiranet's Hope Forward Campus, visit https://www.aspiranet.org/hopeforwardhiring 

Your Role 

• Informs and supports the implementation of future focused, strength-based, trauma responsive treatment, transition and discharge plans and interventions. 
• Implements the daily cottage/group home schedule, adhering to routines and rhythms and honoring the individual rituals, spiritual and cultural customs of each youth in Aspiranet’s care. 
• Acts as the senior experienced youth counselor, and may serve in a temporary capacity as administrator in absence of Core Program Supervisor or Manager. 
• Stages appropriate therapeutic activities, including transportation.  
• Ensures a clean, safe and welcoming cottage/group home environment through daily checks, monitoring supply levels and submitting orders as needed. 
• Supports the compliant distribution of self-administered medication and conducts periodic reviews of medication and medication documentation. 
• Models, coaches, and mentors junior youth counselors (TYCs) while completing written documentation and contact notes to program and funder standards. 
• Applies, models, coaches, and mentors staff with Aspiranet’s identified models of practice including the Aspiranet Core Practice Model, Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC), Youth Thrive / Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework, Community Resiliency Model (CRM), Life Space Coaching and Crisis Intervention (LSCI), Professional Assault Crisis Training (ProAct), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). 
• Supports the agency in sustaining a youth-centric focus by assisting youth in bringing forward their voice throughout the treatment process. 
• Develops engaging and supportive relationships with youth, families, referring parties, collaborative partners and community providers. 
• Monitors the success and barriers of interventions and reports incidents and program concerns to team lead. 
• Leads crisis intervention support in compliance with agency and regulatory requirements, coaches and engages staff in documentation, and debriefs post crisis planning and remediation. 
• Influences the development and implementation of strength-based, trauma-informed plans and interventions and advocates for the youths’ best interests. 

Your Education and Work Experience  

• A BS or BA degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related field, AND three (3) full-time equivalent years of experience in a behavioral health related field. 
• The following qualifications are preferred, and may be eligible for a salary premium: 
• Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) qualifications which include a BS or BS degree in Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work, or a related field AND four (4) full-time years of experience in a behavioral health related field. 
• Substitution patterns for education and experience is allowed as follows: 

• Up to two (2) years of graduate professional education may be substituted for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis, OR 
• Up to two (2) years of post-associate arts clinical experience may be substituted or the required educational experience in addition to the requirement of four years’ experience in a mental health setting. 
• Prior experience in a residential setting or as a youth counselor/TYC II is desired. 
• Willingness and ability to lead, coach and train staff. 
• Proficiency using a computer and Microsoft Word, and Outlook. 
• Must meet all state required conditions of employment as set forth by Community Care Licensing and DHCS for a licensed community care facility, i.e. Fingerprint and Child Abuse Index Clearance, TB/health physical, and a valid California driver’s license and clean driving record. 

Compensation: Competitive DOE 

Your Benefits 
Aspiranet provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous time off for work-life balance, health and wellness benefits, savings and income protection for health and financial fitness, plenty of growth and advancement opportunities, and employee perks!   

• 14 paid annual holidays (including a birthday and flexible diversity holidays) 
• 10 vacation and 10 sick days in the first year 
• A 100% fully employer paid (premium) medical and dental plan 
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match 
• Medical and dependent care plans 
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance 
• Accident, critical illness, and hospital gap plan 
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP) 
• Ongoing training, development, and advancement opportunities 
• Commuter program and mileage reimbursement 
• Employee recognition, perks, and discount programs 

Join Aspiranet’s Mission 

Everyone who is part of Aspiranet is passionate about the important work they do. You'll join a group of like-minded people who care deeply about the children, youth, teens, and families in our care. When you work for Aspiranet, you join a committed team whose efforts positively affect children and families. 

Aspira means hope. We are a network of people moving hope forward across California. We look forward to learning what makes you passionate! 

EEO/AA 

Aspiranet is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer; all applicants will be given full consideration under state, local, and federal law. 

Keywords:  care coordinator, care coordination, health program specialist, behavioral health, program specialist, behavioral specialist, residential, counseling, STRTP, short term residential therapeutic program, behavioral interventionist, mental health rehabilitation, peer support, applied behavioral analyst, support counselor, mental health, crisis stabilization

Salary : $25 - $27