Youth Mentor & Behavioral Health Specialist

Youth Mentor & Behavioral Health Specialist

Project Patch Youth Program – Garden Valley, Idaho

• Affordable on-site housing available!
• $40,000-$50,000 annual compensation, including scheduled overtime
• Full-time day shift, Pitman schedule
• No experience required; paid training provided
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Retirement Benefits
• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Project Patch is seeking dependable, compassionate, and steady Youth Mentors to provide supervision, behavioral support, mentorship, and positive role modeling for adolescents ages 12-17. 

This position is ideal for individuals seeking meaningful, hands-on work and valuable experience in behavioral health, social work, psychology, education, youth ministry, law enforcement, or other human services fields. Through daily mentorship, support, and guidance, Youth Mentors help adolescents build stability, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen accountability, and move toward lasting positive change. No professional license is required, and Project Patch provides all required training and certifications.

About Project Patch

Project Patch is a nonprofit, Christian residential treatment center serving adolescents ages 12–17  who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, or relational challenges and benefit from a structured therapeutic environment. The program is licensed by the State of Idaho for up to 40 clients and employs approximately 40 staff members in a mission-driven, faith-based environment focused on trauma-informed, relationship-centered care. Our mission is to restore hope and direction through Christ-centered residential care.

Location & Lifestyle

Our campus is located in the mountains of Garden Valley, Idaho, approximately one hour north of Boise. The area offers a scenic outdoor environment with year-round recreation, a quiet and close-knit community setting, and the opportunity to live and work in a mission-focused environment. Affordable on-site staff housing may be available.

Schedule

Full-time day shift using a Pitman-style schedule: 2 days on, 2 days off, and 3 days on, 3 days off with alternating weekends and holidays. This schedule includes built-in overtime that increases total earnings.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance effective within 90 days of hire

• Retirement benefits with employer match from date of hire

• Competitive hourly pay

• Paid Time Off within 90 days of hire

• Sick time accrues from date of hire

• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Ongoing paid training and professional development

• Affordable on-site staff housing may be available depending on current availability.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum age of 19 at time of hire

• Experience working with youth, behavioral health, education, or residential care is preferred but not required

• No professional license is required for this position

• Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, reliability, and a desire to work with adolescents in a structured environment

Required Certifications and Training

Project Patch provides all required training and certifications at no cost to employees, including CPR and First Aid, crisis prevention and de-escalation training, medication administration training, mandated reporter training, and trauma-informed care training including  Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)

Essential Functions

• Maintain supervision to support youth safety

• Implement behavior support plans and individualized care strategies

• Respond to behavioral crises using approved de-escalation techniques

• Complete accurate documentation, incident reports, and shift notes

• Administer medications after completing required training and according to policy

• Collaborate with clinicians, supervisors, and team members

• Engage youth in daily programming, including recreation, education, and therapeutic activities

• Model healthy relationships, boundaries, and decision-making

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with group facilitation and therapeutic activities

• Support daily residential operations, including meals, transportation, and routines

• Participate in staff meetings, training, and supervision

• Help maintain a structured, safe, and supportive environment

Trauma-Informed Care Expectations

Staff are expected to remain calm and regulated during stress or conflict, use empathy, consistency, and choice-based interventions, avoid power struggles, support emotional regulation, and apply trauma-informed principles including  TBRI®strategies.

Faith

Project Patch is a Christian organization that integrates faith into daily programming. Employees support and model conduct consistent with Christian values and provide mentorship aligned with the organization’s mission.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and remain alert for extended periods

• Ability to participate in outdoor and physically active recreation

• Ability to intervene physically when necessary in accordance with training and policy

• Ability to work in a residential environment, including occasional extended shifts

Professional Conduct

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with youth at all times

• Adhere to ethical, legal, and organizational standards

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Core Competencies

Youth mentorship and relationship-building; behavioral intervention and crisis response; emotional regulation support; trauma-informed care practices; clear communication and documentation; teamwork and reliability.

Who Thrives in This Role

This position is ideal for individuals who stay calm and consistent under pressure, value structure, accountability, and teamwork, enjoy working with adolescents, feel called to serve in a faith-based environment, and are seeking experience in behavioral health or human services. This role may be a good fit for future counselors, social workers, teachers, ministry leaders, law enforcement professionals, or others interested in youth development and behavioral health.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Project Patch is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected status.

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