Community Youth Services·Thurston County, Washington
The Residential Counselor provides a safe, nurturing environment for youth by offering guidance, counseling, and support to ensure behavioral stabilization. They are also responsible for performing intake assessments, planning meals, and maintaining accurate documentation of participant progress.
Community Youth Services is recruiting for a Residential Counselor for its Haven House program. This position provides a safe and nurturing milieu for youth ages 12 – 17, ensures basic living needs are met, provides guidance, counseling, and support to help program participants maintain appropriate and safe behavior, objectively documents behavioral observations, and works to aid in the avoidance of further out-of-home placement.
Medical, dental, vision, 403b, and more. Details on the website career page.
CYS fosters a supportive, staff-centered environment where your growth potential is limitless!
CYS has been a successful and established non-profit in downtown Olympia for nearly 50 years, providing a full continuum of care to meet the needs of at-risk youth and their families in our community. Our 20+ programs help youth with: housing, placement stabilization, family preservation, foster care, education, job training, employment, independent living skills, delinquent behaviors, shelter, and basic needs. About 4,000 youth – and their families – seek services annually in their transition to become independent, successful adult members of society.
Community Youth Services is the largest child welfare agency serving southwest Washington, employing over 175 staff and supporting 120 volunteers. CYS provides a staff-driven culture where we view our staff as our greatest asset in providing quality services, which shows in our 95% staff retention rate.
Be at least 21 years of age. Have a high school diploma or equivalent credential, for example, a GED or HSEC. Have the skills and ability to assist with the needs of children and youth in care. Meet at least one of the following criteria: Have at least six months of similar, full-time experience working directly with vulnerable populations; or Be attending classes at an accredited college or university related to caring for vulnerable populations; and Major Responsibilities and Related Tasks:
Maintains a healthy living environment for youth in residence to minimize crisis behavior.
Provides guidance, counseling, and support to help participants maintain appropriate and safe behavior and works to aid in the avoidance of further out of home placement, counseling.
Plans and prepares meals to meet basic nutritional needs of youth.
Coordinates youth activities daily to positively structure day(s) and evening(s) for residents.
Performs intake assessments and interviews to uncover needs and ensure new participants are fully educated around Haven House procedure and policy, utilizes behavior modification techniques to facilitate positive behavioral progress and stabilization in residents.
Provides individualized treatment to youth in care based on known mental health issues, behavioral history, and observations. Assists with the creation of a support system for youth in placement. Completes required paperwork to provide accurate information to relevant sources.
CYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Community Youth Services will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Community Youth Services will not tolerate discrimination in employment or personnel practices including the advertisement of positions, recruitment, selection, promotion, demotion, transfer, disciplinary action, layoffs, or termination. These activities shall be conducted without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, marital or nursing mother status, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.
Applicants wishing to receive job posting in an alternative format, or who need accommodation with the application process are encouraged to contact CYS Human Resources using the CYS website.
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must have at least six months of experience working with vulnerable populations or be currently enrolled in relevant college coursework.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Washington are typically supported by steady demand from outpatient, community, and telehealth settings. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a current unrestricted clinical license, experience with evidence-based therapy, and the ability to work from a HIPAA-compliant home office. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit, then verify your license status and prepare examples of your therapy approach before applying.
