Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Tech

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $17.00 - $19.00

Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Technician

Location: Clover Bottom Campus Nashville, TN
(Walnut/Rosewood Youth Academy, Harpeth Primary Assessment Center, Two Rivers Primary Assessment Center, Safe Therapeutic Respite Center)
Department: Direct Care / Residential Services
Job Type: Full-Time

About Youth Opportunity & Clover Bottom Campus

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at-risk youth. The Clover Bottom Campus in Nashville, Tennessee, is a multi-program campus providing trauma-informed residential and assessment-based care for youth with complex behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.

The campus includes Walnut/Rosewood Youth Academy, Harpeth Primary Assessment Center, Two Rivers Primary Assessment Center, and a Safe Therapeutic Respite Center. Serving adolescents across varying levels of care, Clover Bottom combines structured supervision, clinical treatment, education, recreation, and life-skills programming to support stabilization, accountability, and successful transition into long-term care or community-based settings.

Youth Opportunity is dedicated to empowering youth through individualized care, strong relationships, and a culture rooted in teamwork, leadership, and accountability. We invest in excellenceboth in the youth we serve and the employees who support them.

About the Role

The Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Technician is a direct-care position responsible for the supervision, safety, and daily support of youth in a residential or assessment setting. This role provides structured guidance while modeling appropriate behavior, reinforcing positive decision-making, and supporting treatment goals.

Youth Care Specialists work closely with clinical, educational, and operational staff to maintain a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment. This position plays a critical role in helping youth develop internal controls, social skills, and personal responsibility.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with Immediate Vesting
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period
• Free RX delivery on most medications
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision to a group of approximately 710 youth during waking and non-waking hours
• Maintain constant awareness of youth whereabouts and ensure compliance with safety, security, and movement procedures
• Create and maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment using trauma-informed care principles
• Utilize group counseling techniques, individual relationships, and positive discipline strategies, including the I-Choose behavior management system
• Apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when necessary to maintain safety
• Conduct group meetings, huddles, problem-solving sessions, and daily reviews to reinforce accountability and positive peer interaction
• Represent youth progress, needs, and concerns to the treatment team or designated counselor
• Assist classroom teachers with supervision and reinforcement of educational content within living units
• Support youth participation in recreational, educational, and treatment-related activities
• Document daily shift activities, incidents, and population counts in accordance with policy
• Communicate critical information to oncoming shifts to ensure continuity of care
• Make referrals for medical or special needs as appropriate
• Report any incidents or concerns related to youth safety or boundary violations
• Participate in required training and professional development activities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Two years of college coursework in a social or human services field preferred
• For candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of experience working with youth preferred
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to build respectful, professional relationships with youth
• Demonstrated group leadership and counseling skills
• Ability to think independently, analyze situations, and respond appropriately
• Ability to complete accurate, objective written documentation
• First Aid, CPR, and approved crisis intervention certifications must be obtained during the probationary period
• Valid state drivers license required
• Must meet all state and criminal background check requirements

Physical Demands

Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable
Able to actively engage with youth, participate in physical interventions, and transport youth or staff as needed
Must be free of communicable diseases as defined by the state
Must pass evaluation of physical techniques and certification exams

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Equal Opportunity Employer
Youth Opportunity Investments is an equal opportunity employer