Youth Counselor III

Empower Youth. Create Hope. Be Part of Something New in 2026.


Join Aspiranet's brand-new Hope Forward Campus: a reimagined, state-of-the-art environment where innovative therapeutic programming meets compassionate care.



Learn more: Aspiranet's Hope Forward Campus

Location: On-Site - Turlock, CA
Schedule: Full-Time | Non-Exempt |


Shift Options: Tuesday to Saturday 2:00 PM-10:00 PM

Department: Residential Division - STRTP Program

Reports to : Program Supervisor

Pay Range: $25.00 - $27.00


The pay range for this position is $25.00- $27.00 per hour for employees hired in the Central Valley, CA. The pay range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired within the Central Valley region. Candidates hired in Southern California or Bay Area locations may have higher starting salaries due to cost of living and market data differences. Factors that may be used to determine your actual starting salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and internal comparison to other employees who hold a similar role.



About the Hope Forward Campus


Aspiranet's Hope Forward Campus in Turlock is undergoing a transformation that once complete in 2026 will offer the next generation of therapeutic residential care. The expanded campus is designed to meet the varying levels of behavioral health and crisis needs for children and youth in the Central Valley. Designed with open community spaces, and advanced trauma-informed resources, the campus brings together innovative programming, family engagement, and integrated behavioral health services.


As part of this pioneering environment, you'll have the opportunity to help build a new culture of healing, connection, and growth where every youth's journey is supported by dedicated, highly trained staff and a community that believes in second chances.



Why Aspiranet?


Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven social services agency with locations across California. Our six divisions Foster Care & Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family & Community provide holistic supports for children, families, and communities. Every role contributes to something greater: building brighter futures where opportunity, hope, and healing are within everyone's reach.


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!


Position Summary


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


Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Your Rewards

• Growth potential
• 14 paid holidays (including birthday & diversity holidays)
• 10 vacation days + 10 sick days in the first year
• 100% employer-paid medical & dental premiums
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Medical & dependent care FSA plans
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Accident, critical illness & hospital gap plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - 24/7 confidential support
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Commuter program & mileage reimbursement
• Employee recognition, discounts, and wellness perks
• Be a key player in building consistency, structure, and excellence across programs.
• Work in a beautiful country environment with new facilities and innovative resources.
• Professional development, training, and advancement opportunities.
• Supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Small-group model (max 4 youth per cottage) allows for meaningful, individualized care.

Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.


This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA's established safety levels at all times.

Equal Employment Opportunity


Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole. Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

Ready to Apply?


Join us in building brighter futures.


Apply today through our career portal:


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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

Pay Rate: $25.00 - $27.00 Hourly