Description

  a {     text-decoration: none;     color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td {     border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th {     background-color: #f5f5f5; } 

Position Summary

The Youth Counselor plays a critical role in supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic success of youth ages 10 to 19 who are experiencing challenges related to school discipline, family conflict, community violence, behavioral concerns, and other life stressors. Working within the IPS 54K program, the Youth Counselor provides individualized counseling, group interventions, case coordination, family engagement, and advocacy services designed to help participants build resilience, develop positive coping skills, improve decision-making, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and culturally responsive professional with experience working with at-risk youth and families. This individual must be comfortable conducting counseling sessions, collaborating with schools and community partners, completing home and school visits, and maintaining detailed case documentation. Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates are strongly encouraged, as this role requires regular engagement with diverse youth and families throughout the community.

Primary Responsibilities

Direct Youth Services

• Conduct evidence-based group sessions utilizing the Positive Action Curriculum and other approved interventions.
• Facilitate discussions and activities that address family dynamics, trauma, substance use, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and healthy decision-making.
• Provide bi-weekly individual counseling sessions for assigned youth to address their unique emotional, behavioral, educational, and social needs.
• Assist youth in identifying barriers to success and developing strategies to achieve personal, academic, and behavioral goals.
• Support youth through crisis situations and provide appropriate referrals to community resources when necessary.

Family Engagement & Community Outreach

• Engage parents, guardians, and family members in the counseling and service planning process.
• Conduct home visits to assess family needs, monitor progress, and strengthen family support systems.
• Attend school visits and collaborate with educators, counselors, and administrators to advocate for youth and support positive educational outcomes.
• Facilitate family engagement activities and participate in family-focused events designed to strengthen communication and support systems.
• Maintain ongoing communication with youth, families, schools, and other service providers.

Case Management & Service Planning

• Collaborate with Case Managers during intake and assessment processes conducted at program sites, schools, or participant homes.
• Develop and maintain Individual Service Plans (ISPs) that align with participant needs and program goals.
• Monitor participant progress toward service plan objectives and make recommendations for additional supports as needed.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case review meetings and collaborate with program staff to ensure a coordinated approach to service delivery.

Program Outcomes & Evaluation

• Conduct pre- and post-assessments to measure participant progress and program effectiveness.
• Track and contribute to program outcomes, including: 
  • Youth retention and successful program completion.
  • Improved social and emotional skills.
  • Reduced behavioral incidents and violent behaviors.
  • Improved school attendance and engagement.
  • Reduced substance use among participating youth.
  • Increased connection to supportive community resources.
  • Increased participation in workforce development and career readiness opportunities.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case records for all assigned participants.
• Complete case notes, counseling documentation, service logs, assessments, attendance records, referral tracking, and progress reports.
• Utilize Microsoft Office applications and agency data systems to document services and monitor outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, funding requirements, confidentiality standards, and all applicable regulations.

Team Collaboration

• Attend monthly case review meetings, staff meetings, and supervision sessions.
• Collaborate with counselors, case managers, program staff, schools, and community partners to support youth success.
• Participate in agency events, outreach activities, strategic planning meetings, and community engagement initiatives.
• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of annual professional development and training.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Student Success Coordinator or Program Leadership.

Organizational Competencies

Leadership

• Demonstrates initiative and ownership of responsibilities.
• Positively influences youth, families, and team members.
• Maintains professionalism and accountability.

Customer Service

• Delivers high-quality services to youth, families, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Builds trusting relationships through responsive and respectful interactions.

Productivity

• Meets established deadlines and performance expectations.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation.
• Demonstrates strong organization and time-management skills.

Innovation

• Leverages technology to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Provides creative solutions to challenges faced by participants and families.
• Contributes ideas for program improvement and growth.

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with colleagues and external partners.
• Values diverse perspectives and fosters an inclusive environment.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic service setting.

Schedule

• Regular schedule: Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Required participation in one monthly Family Engagement event from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Occasional evening or community-based activities may be required to meet participant and program needs.

Requirements

Education

• Master's Degree required in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, Education, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth and adolescents in counseling, case management, behavioral health, education, or youth development settings.
• Experience working with at-risk, justice-involved, underserved, or special population youth strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting individual counseling sessions, group facilitation, and family engagement activities preferred.
• Experience working within school, community-based, or social service environments preferred.

Required Skills & Qualifications
Fluent Spanish and English bilingual communication skills required.

• Ability to conduct home visits and school visits throughout the community on behalf of program participants.
• Ability to provide bi-weekly counseling sessions and maintain therapeutic relationships with youth and families.
• Strong understanding of youth development, trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, and crisis management.
• Experience with case note documentation, electronic case management systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint).
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Clearances & Compliance

Must be able to obtain and maintain:

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance
• Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Criminal Background Check
• National Sex Offender Registry Clearance
• Health screening and TB testing as required

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel within the community for home and school visits.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• Ability to climb stairs and remain active during youth programming and community activities.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people and families facing significant challenges. The Youth Counselor will serve as a trusted advocate, mentor, and support system while helping youth develop the skills, confidence, and resources needed to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and within their communities.

Requirements

Required Skills & Qualifications Fluent Spanish and English bilingual communication skills required.

• Ability to conduct home visits and school visits throughout the community on behalf of program participants.
• Ability to provide bi-weekly counseling sessions and maintain therapeutic relationships with youth and families.
• Strong understanding of youth development, trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, and crisis management.
• Experience with case note documentation, electronic case management systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint).
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Clearances & Compliance

Must be able to obtain and maintain:

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance
• Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Criminal Background Check
• National Sex Offender Registry Clearance
• Health screening and TB testing as required

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel within the community for home and school visits.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• Ability to climb stairs and remain active during youth programming and community activities.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people and families facing significant challenges. The Youth Counselor will serve as a trusted advocate, mentor, and support system while helping youth develop the skills, confidence, and resources needed to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and within their communities.