Permit Alternative License; PAL Teacher

Program Overview

Youth Villages' residential programs in Tennessee and Georgia provide safe, nurturing environments for youth ages 6 to 17 with complex behavioral and mental health challenges. The programs are offered across three types of facilities—secure facilities, open campuses, and group homes—each designed to meet the individual needs of youth exhibiting a range of referral behaviors, including aggression, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and problem sexual behavior.

Our residential campuses deliver an intensive treatment program that strikes a unique balance between structure and freedom, all while preparing youth for continued success outside of a residential setting. A key focus is to help each youth step down to the least restrictive treatment option possible by developing the skills they need to thrive in less structured environments through trauma‑informed care, clinical interventions, life skills building, and recreation therapy (in selected locations).

Most youth also attend fully accredited schools located on our campuses, ensuring their educational progress continues alongside therapeutic support.

• Plan for individual and group activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and other skills.
• Supervise and design individualized educational programs and independent living skills programs.
• Participate in trainings, boosters, and in‑service activities.
• Administer testing and interpret results to determine academic needs.
• Produce lesson plans that reflect the individual educational needs of students.
• Write Individual Education Plans (IEP) as needed.
• Prepare reports in compliance with school guidelines.
• Maintain progress notes, attendance records, classroom grades, and testing scores.
• Complete daily documentation (such as contact notes, milieu notes, and precautionary notes) in an electronic medical record system (EMR).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The supervision and treatment of youth requires prolonged periods of walking, standing, running, climbing stairs, and physical agility. Applicants must be able to participate in physical interventions when necessary and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally more than 100 pounds. Applicants are required to complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and CPR trainings and pass an agility and strength evaluation.

Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license.

$52,000 - $53,000 per year based on education.

• Bachelor's degree (required).
• Enrollment in Teacher Education Program (required).
• Experience working in a school setting (required).
• Experience as a lead teacher (preferred).
• Experience working with youth with severe emotional and behavioral needs (preferred).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule.

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision.
• 401(k).
• Time off: 2 week paid vacation (full‑time) / 1 week paid vacation (part‑time).
• 12 paid sick days per year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable).
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision.
• Growth & development through continuous training.
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities.

* Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in its work with children and young adults.

We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity.

We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.