Residential Youth Care Specialist

Company Overview

Thompson was founded in 1886 as an orphanage and has grown into an organization operating across the Carolinas, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Our continuum of care encompasses three domains: prevention, mental health services, and foster care. All programs are trauma‑informed, evidence‑based, and designed to build resilience in clients ages 0‑18 and their families, both virtually and in person. Our core values are Excellence, Innovation, Commitment, Caring, and Integrity.

The Residential Youth Care Specialist will provide care, supervision, structure, and advocacy to youth in residence, building therapeutic relationships and supporting their treatment process.

• Provide day‑to‑day care and supervision for youth aged 10‑17, including engaging activities.
• Work with highly acute and potentially aggressive youth, supporting their treatment process.
• Complete assigned tasks as directed by the supervisory staff.
• Participate in mandatory 4‑day, 9am‑5pm Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training before engaging with clients.
• Demonstrate proficiency in therapeutic crisis intervention techniques and holds.

Rotating schedule: 1st Shift 7am‑7pm or 2nd Shift 7pm‑7am.
Week 1:
Monday, Thursday, Friday.
Week 2:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday.

• Starting pay range: $17.00‑$19.50 hourly.
• Full‑time benefits package.
• Three weeks paid time off in the first year plus ten paid holidays.
• Health, dental, vision, short‑term and long‑term disability, and life insurance options.
• 401(k) match.
• Education reimbursement.
• Referral bonus.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of service.
• Eligibility for state loan repayment program up to $50,000.
• Paid time off for community volunteering.
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• iPhone and laptop provided for eligible roles.
• Multiple opportunities for growth.

• BA/BS degree in Human Services strongly preferred.
• High school diploma/GED and two years of relevant experience with youth considered in lieu of a BA/BS degree.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Pass drug screening and extensive background check.

Employees must be able to walk, sit, use hands to handle objects, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Vision requirements include close, distant, color, peripheral, and depth perception. Physical tasks may include standing, walking, running, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting individuals. Employees must be able to run a distance required in the apprehension of a fleeing youth and have the agility to extract themselves and others from buildings in an emergency.

Thompson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The company participates in E‑Verify.

$17 - $19.50 hourly based on experience.