Mental Health Technician

Mental Health Technician – Youth Behavioral Health

Location: Osceola Youth Center, Osceola, MI

Department: Direct Care

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Sign-On Bonus: $3,000 ($1,500 after 90 days, $1,500 after 6 months)

About Youth Opportunity & Osceola Youth Center

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at-risk youth. Our Osceola Youth Center in Osceola, Michigan, provides secure, short-term residential care for males ages 10-17 with behavioral health needs requiring a highly structured, therapeutic setting.

Through a trauma-informed and strength-based approach, Osceola Youth Center offers a safe and predictable environment focused on healing and growth. The program emphasizes individualized care, life skills development, and counseling to help youth stabilize, overcome challenges, and prepare for successful reintegration into the community. Youth receive services in a secure, supportive environment that also engages families and care teams to promote stability throughout placement.

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

Why Join Youth Opportunity?

• Be part of a team making a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth
• Gain experience in a growing field of youth mental health and residential care
• Work in a secure, structured, and supportive treatment environment
• Develop your skills through training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities

Key Responsibilities

This direct care position supervises a group of 7-10 youth through activities during waking and non-waking hours. While unobtrusively providing external controls necessary to ensure safety and security, Mental Health Technicians guide and teach youth the internal controls needed to live responsibly when and where external controls are relaxed.

• Supervise the activities of a group of youths, maintaining knowledge of the whereabouts of all group members
• Comply with procedures on movement, physical security, contraband, head counts, and reporting
• Provide a safe, secure environment using group counseling techniques and positive discipline
• Represent each youth’s needs and accomplishments to the treatment team
• Conduct group problem-solving meetings and daily check-ins with youth
• Assist teachers with transferring classroom lessons to living units
• Promote and assist with daily activities, ensuring participation and follow-through
• Document daily shift activities and complete required reports
• Make referrals for special needs or medical evaluation as necessary

Other Duties Include

• Participate in training and development activities as required
• Report incidents or concerns involving youth or staff relationships
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Two years of college coursework in social or human service field preferred

Experience:

• Two years’ experience working with youth preferred

Skills:

• Strong verbal skills to communicate effectively with youth
• Group counseling and leadership skills
• Ability to think independently and distinguish cause from effect
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, and crisis intervention required during probationary period
• Ability to provide accurate, objective documentation

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift 30 pounds from floor to shoulder height
• Extensive walking and standing required
• Ability to intervene physically if necessary and participate in physical activities with youth
• Ability to transport youth as needed
• Free of communicable diseases as defined by the state

Other:

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Must pass state criminal background check requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer