Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Tech

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 excellence-both 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 7-10 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 driver's 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