Youth Counselor

Description Youth Counselor – Direct Care | $19–$20/hr + $1,000 Sign-On Bonus Location: Woodward, Iowa Position: Full-Time Schedule: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM, including weekends Training : Initial Paid Training provided About the Role Woodward Academy is seeking confident, dependable Youth Counselors to work directly with middle- and high-school-aged youth in a structured residential environment.

This is a hands-on role focused on building relationships, maintaining boundaries, managing challenging behaviors, and providing consistent supervision and support. Successful Youth Counselors are comfortable setting expectations, addressing behavior, and remaining calm and consistent when situations become challenging.

Paid training is provided, with opportunities for advancement into leadership, supervisory, case management, and other roles.

What You'll Do

Build positive relationships while maintaining clear professional boundaries. Supervise and support youth throughout daily activities. Set expectations and consistently follow through. Address challenging, disruptive, or defiant behaviors calmly and confidently. Use communication, redirection, and de-escalation techniques.

Support recreational, vocational, and life-skill activities. Participate in treatment goals through observation, interaction, and limit setting. Communicate with teammates to maintain consistent expectations and care. Complete required documentation and reports. Respond appropriately to crisis situations and follow safety procedures.

What You Bring High school diploma or equivalent. Confidence working with challenging youth behaviors. Ability to set and maintain appropriate boundaries. Ability to remain calm and professional during conflict or escalation. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Dependability and willingness to work in a hands-on environment.

Ability to read, write, hear, and speak in English. Reliable transportation. Ability to pass a background check, including fingerprinting. Ability to perform physical escorts and/or restraints when required for safety. Experience with youth, residential care, behavioral health, education, coaching, juvenile services, criminal justice, or direct care is helpful but not required.

Pay & Benefits $19.00–$20.00/hour | $1,000 Sign-On Bonus | Paid Training Full-time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), PTO, holiday pay, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, paid birthday, DailyPay, wellness programs, parental leave, housing assistance, and more. Why Woodward Academy?

You won't do this work alone. You'll be part of a supportive, hands-on, trauma-responsive team working together to create a safe and structured environment where youth can grow. If you're confident working with youth, comfortable setting boundaries, and want work that makes a difference, we'd like to meet you.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent. Confidence working with challenging youth behaviors. Ability to set and maintain appropriate boundaries. Ability to remain calm and professional during conflict or escalation. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Ability to read, write, hear, and speak in English. Ability to pass a background check, including fingerprinting.

Ability to perform physical escorts and/or restraints when required for safety.