Direct Care Worker

Youth Care Specialist– Residential Treatment

Project Patch Youth Program – Garden Valley, Idaho

Project Patch is seeking dependable, compassionate, and steady Youth Care Specialist to serve in a direct care and mentor role with adolescents ages 12–17. This position provides supervision, behavioral support, structure, and relationship-based care in a Christian, trauma-informed residential treatment setting.

This role is ideal for someone who wants meaningful, hands-on work helping teens build stability, develop healthy coping skills, practice accountability, and move toward lasting change. No professional license is required, and Project Patch provides required training and certifications.

About Project Patch

Project Patch is a nonprofit, Christian residential treatment center serving adolescents ages 12–17 who are beginning to make unhealthy life choices and need structure, behavioral support, and mentorship. The program is licensed by the State of Idaho for up to 40 clients and employs approximately 40 staff members in a mission-driven, faith-based environment focused on trauma-informed, relationship-centered care. Our mission is to restore hope and direction through Christ-centered residential care.

Location & Lifestyle

Our campus is located in the mountains of Garden Valley, Idaho, approximately one hour north of Boise. The area offers a scenic outdoor environment with year-round recreation, a quiet and close-knit community setting, and the opportunity to live and work in a mission-focused environment. Affordable on-site staff housing may be available.

Schedule

Full-time day shift using a Pitman-style schedule: 2 days on, 2 days off, and 3 days on, with alternating weekends and holidays. This schedule includes built-in overtime opportunities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance effective the first of the month after 60 days of hire

• Retirement benefits with employer match from date of hire

• Competitive hourly pay

• Paid Time Off begins accruing by day 90

• Sick time accrues from date of hire

• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Ongoing paid training and professional development

• Affordable on-site staff housing may be available

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum age of 19 at time of hire

• Experience working with youth, behavioral health, education, or residential care is preferred but not required

• No professional license is required for this position

• Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, reliability, and a desire to work with adolescents in a structured environment

Required Certifications and Training

Project Patch provides required training and certifications, including CPR and First Aid, crisis prevention and de-escalation training, medication administration training, mandated reporter training, and trauma-informed care training including TBRI or similar approaches.

Essential Functions

• Maintain continuous line-of-sight supervision to support youth safety

• Implement behavior support plans and individualized care strategies

• Respond to behavioral crises using approved de-escalation techniques

• Complete accurate documentation, incident reports, and shift notes

• Administer medications after completing required training and according to policy

• Collaborate with clinicians, supervisors, and team members

• Engage youth in daily programming, including recreation, education, and therapeutic activities

• Model healthy relationships, boundaries, and decision-making

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with group facilitation and therapeutic activities

• Support daily residential operations, including meals, transportation, and routines

• Participate in staff meetings, training, and supervision

• Help maintain a structured, safe, and supportive environment

Trauma-Informed Care Expectations

Staff are expected to remain calm and regulated during stress or conflict, use empathy, consistency, and choice-based interventions, avoid power struggles, support emotional regulation, and apply trauma-informed principles including TBRI strategies.

Faith-Based Expectations

Project Patch is a Christian organization that integrates faith into daily programming. Employees are expected to support and model conduct consistent with Christian values, and provide mentorship aligned with the organization’s mission.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and remain alert for extended periods

• Ability to participate in outdoor and physically active recreation

• Ability to intervene physically when necessary in accordance with training and policy

• Ability to work in a residential environment, including occasional extended shifts

Professional Conduct

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with youth at all times

• Adhere to ethical, legal, and organizational standards

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Core Competencies

Youth mentorship and relationship-building; behavioral intervention and crisis response; emotional regulation support; trauma-informed care practices; clear communication and documentation; teamwork and reliability.

Who Thrives in This Role

This position is ideal for individuals who stay calm and consistent under pressure, value structure, accountability, and teamwork, enjoy working with adolescents, feel called to serve in a faith-based environment, and are seeking experience in behavioral health or human services. This role may be a good fit for future counselors, social workers, teachers, ministry leaders, law enforcement professionals, or others interested in youth development and behavioral health.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Project Patch is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected status.