Community Youth Services - Pierce County is recruiting for Associate Counselors for its New Directions Crisis Residential Center located in Tacoma. 

We are recruiting for on-call Associate Counselors.

On-call Associate counselor staff fills in for as needed shift coverage.

The New Directions program provides a safe and nurturing milieu for youth ages 12 – 17, ensures basic living needs are met, provides guidance, counseling, and helps program participants maintain appropriate and safe behavior, objectively documents behavioral observations, and works to aid in the avoidance of further out-of-home placement. 

Starting pay is $19.90 per hour. (Non-exempt) Earn up to a $500 hiring bonus. Details are available with job offer!

Join an organization that is dedicated to empowering at risk youth and families to meet goals around safety, stability, belonging and success. Join a team of professionals whose shared vision is centered around every youth/young adult being part of a supportive home and community while achieving their full potential for personal growth. WHY? Because CYS believes in strengthening our communities by empowering youth and families to create their own success. Join CYS and be a part of the solution with an employer that provides a staff driven culture where we view our staff as our greatest asset in providing quality services. Community Youth Service is a non-profit located in Olympia, WA. 

CYS fosters a supportive, staff-cultured environment where your growth potential is limitless!

CYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of 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.

Position Qualifications: 

1. Education and direct experience working with at-risk youth must equal a minimum of two years. If education is used to meet this requirement, degree/courses must be in a social science or related field. A transcript may be requested to determine if courses taken qualify.

2. Must have a minimum of six months’ experience work as a Associate Counselor at the Tacoma Teen House, Haven House, or similar facility 

3. Valid TB test results within the previous 12 months prior to hire or the ability to obtain a negative TB test within 30 days of employment, and

4. Current Food Handlers’ Permit

Agency Qualifications:

1. The ability to pass an extensive background check with no history of conviction or perpetration of child abuse or physical harm to a child or children or an individual aged 18 years and above who is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or is unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation by reason of age, illness, trauma or disability, or any other reason.

2. Professional and personal conduct that maintains a personal and professional background so that criminal history remains free from unlawful conduct. Certain crimes may disqualify employees to have unrestricted access to children or vulnerable populations in accordance with Department of Social Health and Services policy and Washington State law. Professional or personal conduct that causes this clearance to be suspended or denied will result in suspension and/or termination of employment. (Pursuant to RCW 43.43.832, 43.43.832(7), 43.43.834, 43.20A.710 and WAC 388-06.).

3. A valid Washington State Driver License with a minimum of five years’ driving experience and a three-year good driving record evidenced on a Washington driver’s abstract. The ability to pass and maintain a clean driving records check at employment and annually. Professional or personal conduct that results in a restricted or denied driving status could result in termination of employment. (Candidates relocating to the area must provide current proof of three-year driving record from current state; and have ten days from date of employment to provide a copy of a Washington Driver’s License and Washington driver’s abstract.)

4. Proof of personal auto insurance levels provided on your insurance declaration page. Coverage must be current, and copies provided to HR at renewal. Coverages at or above $100,000 combined single limit is required for positions that require driving and is recommended and preferred for positions that have occasional driving.

5. A sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural differences in the organization's employment and service population.

6. Must possess or obtain within 30 days of employment CPR/1st Aid/Bloodborne Pathogen certification. Some positions require CPR before a first shift.

7. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team.

Major Responsibilities and Related Tasks:

Participant Service:

1. Maintains a healthy living environment for youth in residence to minimize crisis behavior,

2. 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

3. Plans and prepares meals to meet basic nutritional needs of youth,

4. Coordinates youth activities on a daily basis to positively structure day(s) and evening(s) for residents,

5. 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,

6. Records significant interactions and behavioral observations in participant case notes, and works with clients to develop individualized treatment plans,

7. Provides individual and group support to residents to facilitate personal growth and to minimize crisis situations.

8. Maintains the program structure and provides residents with clear and consistent expectations,

9. Informs Lead Counselor, Program Coordinator, and/or Program Director of significant activities as related to residents and facility,

10. Completes incident reports and notify appropriate parties when necessary,

11. Fields referral calls from DCFS, gathers data to thoroughly complete referral forms, verifies eligibility requirements are met, and coordinates intake appointments,

12. Acts as a crisis liaison for the public by providing telephone counseling and basic information about applicable community resources, and

13. Ensures that program participants receive adequate supervision at all times.

Case Management

1. Provides individualized treatment to youth in care based on known mental health issues, behavioral history and observations,

2. Assists with the creation of a support system for youth in placement,

3. Completes required paperwork in order to provide accurate information to relevant sources,

4. Participates in consultations with Case Manager and/or Program Coordinator to understand participant’s behavioral tendencies and receives guidance on effective behavioral interventions, 

5. Works with participants to develop an individualized treatment plan - -- a list of participant goals and specific action steps designed to make progress toward accomplishing them,

6. Assists case manager in behavior assessments,

7. Maintains Resident case records and required paperwork to meet licensing standards and to effectively communicate accurate and current information, and

8. Writes discharge summaries addressing resident’ progress, treatment issues, and recommendations within five (5) days of discharge from the facility.

 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.