Bilingual Youth Counselors ($2,500 Signing Bonus)

BILINGUAL YOUTH COUNSELORS - Griffin Home, Residential Treatment (Multiple Openings)

This position is eligible to receive a $2,500 signing bonus!

PURPOSE  

The Bilingual Youth Counselor (BYC) is a member of the Griffin Home Campus treatment team providing twenty-four hour shift supervision for unaccompanied adolescent Division of Children’s Services (DCS) males in a residential facility designed as a therapeutic environment. Within this setting, youth receive individualized treatment, mental health services, educational and vocational services, recreation and physical education activities, and scheduled daily activities. BYCs create a supportive environment where youth feel safe, provide transportation to meet medical and legal needs, and motivate and engage the youth to be invested in their mental health and the program. The BYC functions as a counselor to all residents and is assigned as Primary Counselor (PC) for one to three residents. Work is performed onsite/in-person.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

• Model a positive attitude and appropriate behavior while overseeing the supervision, safety, and care of youth residents individually and in group settings. 
• Assist in planning a wide range of recreational and vocational activities; develop plans with youth for constructive use of free time. 
• Teach, supervise, and model chores with a sense of pride and responsibility, including meal preparation and clean-up, room care, laundry, and general residence upkeep. 
• Participate in in supervising classroom activities under the director of the DCS teacher and assist residents with school assignments. 
• In collaboration with the youth, Clinical Program Manager, and Mental Health Therapist, develop and implement assigned youths’ treatment plans, and monitor youths’ health and transport to medical appointments. 
• Listen and respond to individual youth concerns, helping clarify and understanding feelings, attitudes and behaviors; guide youth in developing appropriate, health and supportive relationships with peers and staff.  
• Ability to perform CPR and First Aid and to administer Naloxone, if needed (training provided).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent. 
• Bilingual in Spanish and English. 
• 21 years of age or older. 
• One year of experience working or volunteering with youth. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• BA or BS degree in social sciences. 
• Central American cultural experience. 

SCHEDULE

Various daytime and evening shifts available; consistent schedule with two consecutive days off. Must be willing to work weekends. Work takes place onsite/in-person in Renton, WA.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS  

Bilingual in Spanish starting rate of $19.19 per hour, bilingual in Spanish with bachelor's degree starting rate of $20.12 per hour (hourly rate increase upon successfully completing one year of employment) + $2,500 signing bonus*. Friends of Youth offers a competitive benefits package that includes:  

• 15 vacation days per year with annual accrual interests, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, 2 personal days and 2 social justice leave days per year 
• Medical, dental and vision coverage; 24/7 access to telehealth  
• 403(b) retirement plan and matching 
• Long-term disability insurance and life insurance 
• 15 vacation days per year with annual accrual interests, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, and two paid floating personal days per year 
• Professional development opportunities are available 24/7 on our online learning platform 
• All employees and their immediate family members can receive free counseling and mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT  

• Must satisfactorily pass criminal background check.
• Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test. 
• Must have a valid Washington State driver's license. 
• Must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth. 
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

EQUITY STATEMENT  

Friends of Youth welcomes, honors, and celebrates our clients, colleagues and communities’ diverse identities, histories, knowledges, languages, and cultures. Our organizational values shape the way we work individually and collectively, as we prioritize young people’s belonging and achievement. We work to challenge, alter, and ultimately dismantle interconnected systems of structural and historic oppression. We collaborate with community stakeholders and partners to develop policy and decision-making frameworks that advance racial equity. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

Friends of Youth is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on the basis of race, sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, genetic markers, military or veterans status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. People of Color and Members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. 
 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for this position or to perform the essential functions of this position. To request accommodation, please email HR@friendsofyouth.org.   

*The signing bonus is a one-time bonus that must be repaid if the employee leaves their position at Friends of Youth before six months.