Youth Care Counselor (Relief, Full-Time)

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Austin, TX 78758 (Main Campus/Off-Campus)
Program: Residential Treatment Center / Group Home Program
Status: Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Cottage Therapist/Supervisor

The Settlement Home for Children is a nonprofit in Austin that provides structured, trauma-informed care to youth who have experienced trauma. For more than 100 years, we have evolved to meet the changing needs of young people through a continuum of care that includes residential treatment, clinical services, and coordinated community supports.

As a Relief-Team Member, Youth Care Counselor, you will support the daily implementation of individualized care plans by maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment that promotes skill development and long-term stability. You will provide professional and consistent supervision for youth in our care while helping them meet treatment goals and navigate day-to-day life in a group home setting.

In this role, you will:

• Provide direct care, supervision, guidance, and protection for residents in your cottage
• Implement treatment plans and support residents in developing skills to meet behavioral goals
• Facilitate structured recreational, leisure, and enrichment activities for residents
• Ensure accurate documentation of daily behavior, incidents, medical needs, treatment observations, and cottage activities
• Support residents in attending school, work-training, or other scheduled activities
• Transport residents safely to appointments, family visits, and other required activities
• Provide crisis intervention and participate in on-call support as scheduled
• Work collaboratively with cottage and program teams to maintain a consistent and therapeutic environment
• Operate within the boundaries of organizational policies, procedures, and licensing standards
• Participate in physical restraints when required in accordance with training and safety protocols

Required Qualifications:

• At least 21 years old
• High school diploma or GED required; some college preferred
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (including at least 3 years of a valid license; drivers under 21 cannot have any violations, and drivers under 25 cannot have more than one minor violation or one major violation to be eligible for hire)
• Clear criminal background as defined by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening and FBI fingerprint check
• Demonstrated psychological sensitivity toward children and understanding of individual and group behavior dynamics

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in human services, behavioral sciences, or a related field
• Experience with children or adolescents, preferably in residential or 24-hour care settings
• Understanding of treatment modalities used in residential children’s care
• CPR/First Aid certification

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

You must be able to:

• Lift or exert up to 30 pounds occasionally and up to 15 pounds frequently
• Walk, stand, sit, stoop, lift, reach, kneel, crouch, run, climb, balance, and crawl as needed
• Administer physical restraints safely in accordance with training and organizational protocols
• Perform visual inspections, read and transcribe accurately, and operate a motor vehicle
• Hear and respond quickly to emergency support requests via oral communication or electronic devices

Schedule

• Must be available for at least two 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. shifts each week
• Must be available for at least two 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. shifts each week
• Must be available on both Saturday and Sunday
• May be scheduled for up to one awake night shift per month if needed
• Minimum scheduled hours: 30 per week
• Eligible for paid-time off including vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly pay (based on experience, degree, and field of study) with potential performance-based increases: $0.50 raise at six months and another $0.50 raise at your one-year evaluation, with annual raise opportunities thereafter
• 100% employer-paid health and dental insurance for full-time employees (30+ hours/week), with optional buy-up plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability, with optional short-term disability
• 401(k) with partial employer match (up to 6%, eligible after 60 days)
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Free meals on campus, including vegetarian options
• Free online Black Swan Yoga membership
• Free Rocket Lawyer account for personal legal needs
• Employee Assistance Program with free counseling sessions
• Referral program
• Opportunities for clinical supervision hours (for employees pursuing LPC-A or LMSW licensure)
• Tenure bonuses beginning at two years, with increases for longer service
• Other benefits available for eligible employees

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Settlement Home for Children is an equal opportunity employer. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, or any other condition of employment based on legally protected characteristics. We maintain a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.

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