Job Information
Volunteers of America- Minnesota Residential Counselor 1 - Bar None - Afternoons/Evenings in St. Francis, Minnesota
Description
Come join our life-changing team building hope, resilience and well-being as a Residential Counselor at Bar None in St. Francis!
We are offering a generous retention bonus of $1,000 based on performance!
Shift Details: 2:00pm-10:00pm schedule
Four weekend shifts per month required
Wednesdays from 8:30am-11:30am for team meetings required
Compensation: $18.50/hr starting, plus $0.50/hr differential on all shifts, $1/hr differential on weekend shifts
Location: 22426 St. Francis Blvd NW, St. Francis, MN 55303
Hiring Bonus: $1,000, based on performance and paid in increments, every 3 months for the first year of employment
About the job:
Provide direct care, supervision, and therapeutic support to youth during morning and evening hours, ensuring safety, dignity, compassion, professionalism, accountability, and trauma-informed, whole-person support.
Essentials:
Morning Routine Support:
Support youth with daily routines and programming, using calm, encouraging, and predictable approaches.
Provide coaching for morning regulation and readiness for the school day.
Ensure youth transition to breakfast, medications (if trained), and school safely.
Communicate morning concerns or successes to the team and document appropriately.
Evening Routine Support:
Support youth with returning from school or programming with relational, compassionate engagement.
Facilitate structured activities, chores, and recreation while modeling healthy skills.
Facilitate programming groups, skill-building, or therapeutic activities as directed.
Assist with evening hygiene, transitions to quiet time, and bedtime preparation.
Promote consistency, predictability, and trauma-responsive routines.
Therapeutic Milieu Support:
Contribute to a structured, trauma-informed, healing-centered environment.
Model and teach health communication, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional regulation.
Support positive peer interactions and intervene early to prevent escalation.
Crisis Response & De-Escalation:
Respond to emerging conflicts or crises using trauma-informed de-escalation techniques.
Use verbal, relational, and environmental interventions before physical strategies.
Implement safety holds only if required and trained, following all policies.
Participate in post-incident debriefs, documentation, and restoration.
Other Duties as Assigned:
Support cross-team activities or program needs.
Assist with group facilitation, outings, or enrichment activities.
Complete administrative duties that support program effectiveness as assigned.
Job Highlights:
Room for professional advancement
Entry-level position into the mental health career field
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan
HSA & FSA Programs
Employer Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
Quality training, continuing career education and leadership programs
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday & Sick Days)
Required Qualifications
Must be 21 years of age or older; Must pass criminal background checks; Must have a current and valid Driver's License.
High School diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related field preferred.
Experience with youth in residential, school, recreation, or behavioral health setting, preferred.
CPR/First Aid, crisis intervention, and other mandated trainings as provided by VOA.
About Us:
Bar None is part of Volunteers of America MN/WI which serves as an affiliate of the Volunteers of America parent organization.
Volunteers of America Minnesota/Wisconsin is a nonprofit health and human services organization that annually serves more than 25,000 children, adolescents and their families, older adults, students, persons with disabilities and special needs, and adults completing incarceration. Since 1896, we have helped people gain self-reliance, dignity, and hope.
Take pride in helping others and join us today!
At VOA, we celebrate sharing, encouraging and embracing diversity. Equal employment opportunities are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that blending individual strengths and unique personal differences nurtures and supports our organizations’ shared commitment to our mission and creates an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to do their personal best.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.