Overnight Youth Counselor

Overnight Youth Counselor

Organization: Watson Children’s Shelter
Location: Missoula, Montana
Reports to: Shelter Program Manager
Classification: Full-time or Part-time, Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Overnight Youth Counselor provides trauma-informed, direct care and awake supervision to children residing at Watson Children’s Shelter during overnight hours. This role includes housekeeping duties to ensure a clean and healthy environment. The overnight youth counselor role provides safety, stability, and consistency while maintaining the structured routines and upkeep of the shelter.

The Overnight Youth Counselor plays a critical role in creating a calm, secure night-time environment where children can rest and feel safe. This position is ideal for individuals who are dependable, self-directed, emotionally regulated, and deeply aligned with our mission to provide safety, healing, and stability for children in crisis. A strong fit is someone motivated by purpose-driven work and committed to trauma-informed care.

Key Responsibilities

Overnight Direct Care & Supervision

• Acts Provide supervision and support to children during assigned shifts.
• Provide awake and active supervision of residents throughout the overnight shift.
• Work at and provide coverage for both Watson Children’s Shelter locations as operational needs require.
• Complete nightly housekeeping duties as defined by supervisor.
• Maintain a safe, calm, and structured environment during sleeping hours.
• Conduct and document routine bed checks per agency policy.
• Respond appropriately to nighttime needs, distress, illness, or behavioral concerns.
• Assist with morning routines including meals, hygiene, activities, transitions, and supervision.
• Support children’s emotional, behavioral, and physical needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Follow individualized care plans, safety plans, and daily directives provided by Case Managers, Shelter Manager and Directors.
• Work with Case Managers and Shelter Program Managers by recommending needs and services to support a child’s unique needs, such as clothing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and/or mental health services.
• Coordinate and/or provide transportation for youth.
• Model communication skills and assist with relationship building skills.
• Work with youth to meet their unique and individual needs.
• Set healthy and developmentally appropriate limits and boundaries with youth and help them understand and adhere to house rules and routines.
• Provide appropriate and developmentally appropriate responses to given behavior.
• Learn to identify the need beneath the behavior and strive to meet need.
• Provide instruction and praise for positive behavior.
• Implement trained crisis intervention skills when necessary.
• Record behavioral data in communication logs, case notes, and incident reports.

Documentation & Communication

• Complete required documentation accurately and in a timely manner, including shift notes, routine logs, intake forms, incident and injury reports, supervised visit notes, mileage logs, and other assigned records.
• Communicate important child, program, facility, and supply needs to supervisory staff promptly.
• Promote open, effective, and professional communication with staff while following confidentiality and chain-of-command protocols.

Program & Facility Support

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the shelter during overnight hours.
• Complete assigned housekeeping, preparation tasks, or organizational duties as directed.
• Prepare materials or spaces for the following day’s programming as assigned.
• Monitor facility safety and follow emergency procedures as required.

Professional Expectations

• Adhere strictly to all agency, corporate, and governmental policies, including those prohibiting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children.
• Immediately report any suspected abuse or policy violations to supervisory staff and the Department of Public Health and Human Services as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information related to children, families, and staff.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, courtesy, and respectful conduct at all times.
• Maintain punctuality and reliability for assigned shifts.
• Maintain current contact information with administrative staff.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, ensuring tasks are reasonable, relevant, and clearly communicated.
• Utilize required phone app platforms for scheduling, communication, time tracking and more.

Training & Professional Development

• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training.
• Complete all required annual trainings and any supplemental trainings as determined by supervisors, licensing requirements, and agency standards.
• Maintain required certifications provide by the agency.

Watson Children’s Shelter is an equally-opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20