Job Description: Youth Counselor

Organization: Northern Ohio Recovery Association (NORA)

Website: www.norainc.org

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Reports to: Program Manager

Position Summary

Northern Ohio Recovery Association (NORA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting long-term recovery and wellness through peer-based support and evidence-based services, is seeking a compassionate and skilled Youth Counselor to provide behavioral health and substance use treatment services to adolescents and their families. The Youth Counselor is responsible for conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, facilitating individual, group, and family counseling services, providing case management, and supporting positive youth development. This position works collaboratively with families, schools, referral sources, and community partners to promote successful treatment outcomes and long-term recovery. The Youth Counselor is expected to model professionalism, recovery principles, prosocial behavior, and trauma-informed care practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling services to adolescents and their families.

• Prepare and facilitate psychoeducational groups, recovery-focused groups, and therapeutic activities.

• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health and substance use assessments, including biopsychosocial, family, cultural, and substance use evaluations.

• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans in accordance with agency, payer, and regulatory requirements.

• Monitor client progress and modify treatment interventions as appropriate.

• Support clients in developing recovery skills, healthy coping strategies, and positive decision-making behaviors.

• Provide case management services to assigned clients.

• Coordinate referrals and linkages to community resources, educational services, behavioral health providers, and other support systems.

• Serve as a liaison between clients, families, schools, juvenile justice agencies, and community partners.

• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning and care coordination activities.

• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and required reports.

• Ensure compliance with agency policies, CARF standards, Ohio Department of Behavioral Health requirements, Medicaid regulations, and applicable funding requirements.

• Participate in quality improvement, utilization review, and audit activities as assigned.

• Recognize and respond appropriately to crisis situations, safety concerns, and mandatory reporting requirements.

• Utilize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered approaches in service delivery.

• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards in accordance with licensing requirements and agency policies.

• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.

• Represent NORA professionally with families, referral sources, schools, juvenile justice agencies, and community partners.

• Assist with outreach, engagement, and education efforts related to youth behavioral health and recovery services.

• Promote a positive image of NORA and its mission throughout the community.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field required.

• Current Ohio licensure as an LSW,  LPC or LICDC required.

• Must maintain active licensure and all continuing education requirements.

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with adolescents in behavioral health, substance use treatment, school-based services, juvenile justice, or a related field preferred.

• Experience providing individual, group, and family counseling services preferred.

• Experience working with youth experiencing substance use disorders, mental health concerns, trauma, or co-occurring disorders preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of adolescent development, family systems, and evidence-based treatment practices.

• Experience conducting behavioral health and substance use assessments.

• Strong crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.

• Experience facilitating youth groups and psychoeducational programming.

• Familiarity with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and treatment planning.

• Strong documentation, organizational, and time management skills.

• Ability to build rapport with youth, families, schools, and community partners.

• Experience working within behavioral health, substance use treatment, or juvenile justice settings.

•  If in personal recovery, a minimum of two (2) years of continuous recovery is preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid time off and holidays.

• Professional development opportunities.

Amount of Travel

• Minimal, mostly confined to the Ohio Area.

Salary Range

●     This is a paid position and salary will be rated based on experience.

General Sign-off

• The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and to act as a role

model in the adherence to policies.

I have read and understood this explanation and job description.

Signature:_____________________________________ Date:______________________