Youth Counselor (Mental Health Technician / Behavioral Health Worker) | 0.8 FTE | $5,000 Sign-On Bonus | Paid Training

Start Your Career in Mental Health, Human Services, or Youth Counseling

Are you looking for an entry-level career where you can make a difference while gaining valuable experience in mental health, behavioral health, youth services, or human services?

North Homes Children and Family Services is hiring compassionate, dependable individuals to join our residential treatment team as Youth Counselors. No previous experience is required - we provide comprehensive paid training and ongoing support.

This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in careers in:

• Mental Health
• Behavioral Health
• Human Services
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Counseling
• Criminal Justice
• Juvenile Justice
• Child Welfare
• Education
• Direct Support Professional (DSP)
• Healthcare
• Residential Treatment

Every day, you'll help young people build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and move toward lasting success.

Pay & Benefits

Starting Wage: $19.23–$22.12 per hour

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus

Shift Differentials

• +$1.50/hour for Afternoon Shifts
• +$1.00/hour for Overnight and Weekend Shifts

Benefits for 0.8 FTE (32 Hours per Week)

• Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Earned Sick & Safe Time (ESST)
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Paid Training
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Referral Bonus Program

Schedule

• 0.8 FTE (32 hours/week)
• Afternoon Shifts Available
• Overnight Shifts Available
• Weekend Opportunities
• Additional Full-Time and Part-Time openings may be available

What You'll Do

As a Youth Counselor, you'll play an important role in helping youth develop the skills they need to be successful.

Responsibilities include

• Provide direct care, supervision, and support for youth ages 10–18
• Build positive, trusting relationships with youth
• Maintain a safe, structured, and trauma-informed therapeutic environment
• Teach coping skills, emotional regulation, communication, and independent living skills
• Support youth in reaching individualized treatment goals
• Help manage behavioral challenges using positive interventions
• Model healthy relationships, consistency, and professional boundaries
• Document observations and communicate with the treatment team
• Collaborate with therapists, case managers, nurses, teachers, and other professionals

Programs You May Support

North Homes provides several residential mental health programs for youth, including:

• Stabilization Program – Short-term crisis stabilization and assessment
• 35-Day Evaluation Program – Comprehensive behavioral health evaluation and treatment planning
• Intensive Residential Treatment (IRT) – Structured therapeutic programming
• Residential Treatment Cottage – Long-term residential care for youth with emotional and behavioral needs
• Teens in Transition – Independent living preparation and life-skills development

Why You'll Love Working at North Homes

• No experience necessary
• Paid training from experienced professionals
• Supportive team culture
• Meaningful work that changes lives
• Opportunities for promotion and career growth
• Gain valuable experience for graduate school or future careers in behavioral health, psychology, counseling, nursing, social work, education, corrections, probation, law enforcement, and healthcare
• North Homes provides trauma-informed residential treatment and behavioral health services that help children, adolescents, and families build healthier futures. Our team is committed to providing safe, supportive environments where youth can heal, learn, and thrive.

Requirements

Whether you're beginning your career or looking for meaningful work with purpose, North Homes provides the training, mentorship, and experience to help you succeed.

Minimum Qualifications

We're looking for individuals who are compassionate, dependable, and committed to helping youth succeed.

Required

• At least 21 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Minnesota driver's license

Preferred (Not Required)

• College coursework or degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Behavioral Health, Education, or a related field
• Experience working with youth, residential treatment, mental health, direct care, group homes, childcare, education, corrections, juvenile justice, healthcare, or human services

Ideal Candidates

Successful Youth Counselors are

• Compassionate and patient
• Dependable and accountable
• Strong communicators
• Team-oriented
• Calm under pressure
• Motivated to learn
• Passionate about helping youth heal and grow

Apply Today

If you're looking for an entry-level mental health, behavioral health, youth counselor, residential treatment, direct care, or human services position where your work truly matters, we'd love to meet you. Join North Homes and help make a lasting difference in the lives of youth every day.

North Homes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, public assistance status, or any other protected characteristic.