What are the responsibilities and job description for the Relief Youth Counselor - HHP position at Hale Kipa?
Mission & About Us
Rooted in aloha and kuleana, Hale Kipa is dedicated to supporting and empowering Hawai'i's youth, young adults, and families who are navigating trauma, injustice, and systemic barriers. Through safe and nurturing housing, culturally grounded care, and trauma-informed relationships, we encourage them to discover their passions, embrace their resilience, and thrive as compassionate, responsible leaders in their families and communities.
Since 1970, Hale Kipa has championed Hawai'i's youth and children. We provide youth outreach, independent living facilities, therapeutic foster care, a haven for runaways, and more. Our founders recognized a need for a nonprofit to step in to assist this deserving population and we are still doing that critical work today, on O'ahu, Kaua'i, and the Island of Hawai'i. Learn more about Hale Kipa's programs.
Role Overview
Hale Kipa is looking for Relief Youth Counselors to work with youth between the ages of 12 and 17, who are placed in the Hale Ho'opakele (TVAC-Emergency Shelter) because they are experiencing some type of crisis. Youth can be referred by various referral sources. Length of stay in the emergency shelter is anywhere from 1 day to 30 days, while youth wait for their next, more permanent placement.
Relief Youth Counselors need to be able to manage crisis situations appropriately and help youth work through issues they are experiencing. They need to provide a stable, safe, structured, and nurturing environment, that encourages youth to participate in a program structure that includes: chores, meals, bedtime, quiet time, study time, meetings, and participation in planned activities and outings. Relief Youth Counselors also need to spend time discussing issues with youth to assist and support them in their emotional processing, encourage adaptive positive coping skill-building, and solidify/set limits. Also in the overnight position, Relief Youth Counselors are required to conduct and document 20-minute bed checks to ensure all youth are safe. Assisting youth with wake-up calls in the morning and helping them start their day off in a positive manner, are part of the responsibilities of this staff.
In addition to working with the youth, Relief Youth Counselors are also responsible for understanding and handling intake processes and procedures accurately, as well as submitting required documentation in a timely manner. Having some computer knowledge and being able to navigate the electronic health record is essential to the role. Working as part of a team and possessing good communication skills, both verbal and written; and representing Hale Kipa in a professional manner when working with collaterals, parents/guardians, and youth are imperative to the Relief Youth Counselor position.
Schedule: Relief Youth Counselors are on call and work is not regular. Work is dependent on shift availability and the availability of the Relief Youth Counselor. Available shifts include:
- Overnight Awake shift: Sunday - Tuesday 10:00 pm - 9:15 am every other Wednesday
- Overnight Awake shift: Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 pm - 8:00 am every other Wednesday
Qualifications
- High School diploma or GED.
- At least 2 years of experience or training in working with at-risk, vulnerable youth or those who have been abused or neglected is highly preferred
- Experience with youth who have been identified as being involved in sex trafficking and/or been sexually abused is highly preferred
Requirements
- A valid driver's license
- Ability to drive the agency van for transporting youth to appointments
Salary Range
- $20.00/hr.
An EEO Employer
Salary : $20
