Counselor/Teacher-Eckerd

Position Description

A positive, supportive role model who guides and influences a group of 10-12 teenage girls in an outdoor therapeutic wilderness setting to enhance the youth’s confidence and self-esteem.  The Counselor/Teacher position is the front-line of facilitating and ensuring each youth’s therapeutic and educational progress.  The Counselor/Teacher will be responsible for delivering evidence-based practices per training, participating in implementation of outdoor education modules (e.g. canoe trips, backpack trips, ropes course, fine arts, etc.), and impacting the lives of young women by encouraging and fostering change.  Responsible for the delivery and assessment of assigned elective courses. 

Essential Duties

• Responsible for overall supervision of the youth which includes working 24 hours a day for 5 days a week with 2 days off.  Room and board is provided in an off-campus house, at no cost, for the days the Counselor/Teacher is not working.
• Submit elective course assessments as scheduled on all individuals ensuring documents and communication is shared with the Education Administrator/Coordinator.
• Contribute to the educational development of clients; Duties include, but are not limited to, teaching elective courses, tutoring, instructing, or lecturing to impart knowledge on a variety of subjects and activities at program.
• Serve as a co-teacher while youth attend the on-site school each day.  Monitor youth behavior and ensure environment is conducive to learning.
• Provide feedback, opportunities for growth, and recognition of youth to enhance confidence and build self-esteem.
• Lead a group of youth through a variety of daily activities while facilitating group therapy with an emphasis on strength-based development.
• Maintain a high standard of role modeling for the youth that reflects enthusiasm, passion, commitment and caring.
• Ensure balanced activities through involving the youth in developing weekly plans for the group.
• Assist in the development of goals for each youth, hold the youth accountable to goals set, teach strategies to achieve goals, and recognize accomplishments.
• Submit written evaluations of youth’s progress ensuring documentation and communication is clear and on time.
• May oversee self-administration of medication required by youth following Eckerd policy and training.
• For more program specific information visit www.eckerdhelpsgirls.org.

 Other Duties Include, But Not Limited To: 

• Participate in training and development activities as required.
• Willingness to participate as a team member in all activities for overall program’s success.
• Maintain campsite and tripping equipment.
• Report any acts, incidents or conditions that reflect the possibility of inappropriate youth-to-youth or staff-to-youth relationships.
• Report any use of physical force and all unusual incidents per Eckerd policy and state guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Relationships:
Internal:         

• Program and Eckerd Staff
• Program clients

External:

• Community resources
• Public agencies and facilities
• Educational and recreational organizations
• Client families

Environment and Physical Activity

Physical Demands – Ability to travel about property, through wilderness terrain.  Must be able to pass evaluation of crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques and written certification exam, and use approved techniques as needed.  Must be able to participate in aquatic activities. Ability to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods of time.  Constant exposure to outdoors and/or weather conditions.  Must have near and far visual acuity, any deficiencies of which must be able to be mitigated with corrective lenses.  Responsible for the overall supervision and safety of clients.  Supervision may include working a minimum shift of 5 concurrent 24 hour periods.  Ability to frequently lift/move up to 25 pounds.  Ability to transport clients and staff preferred.  
 
Position Requirements

Education – High School diploma or equivalent required.  Bachelor’s degree, from an accredited College or University, in social or human service field preferred.
                         
Experience – Experience working with youth preferred.
 

Skills – Verbal skills to relate effectively with youth on an adult level, without patronizing, required. Group counseling skills including conflict resolution will be developed. Ability to distinguish between cause and effect/opinion and fact.  Ability to think and act independently. Certification in CPR, First Aid and crisis intervention will be obtained during probationary period.  Proficiency in group work demonstrated during probationary period and remaining employment with Eckerd.  Ability to provide objective, written documentation.
 

Other – Must meet state criminal background check requirements.
 

Travel - Must be able to meet requirements for Eckerd’s Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes.  Valid and appropriate driver’s license or state identification is required.  Position may require incumbent to drive.  Employee must obtain valid driver’s license or state identification in the state in which they are employed within 90 days of hire.
 
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of position given this title and should not be construed as an all inclusive declaration of duties and responsibilities. Specific job-related duties assigned will be consistent with the essential functions listed above and should not be construed as expanding a particular position’s role, scope, FLSA status, or grade.