Residential Treatment Counselor (Youth Ages 11–18)

Location: Chula Vista, CA
Pay: $20.00 – $25.00/hour
Job Type: In-Person

Requirement: Bachelor's Degree OR 1 year experience working with at-risk youth in a residential setting

Shifts Available:

• AM Shift: Saturday to Wednesday (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• PM Shift: Monday-Friday 3pm -11pm
• Th/F 630am-430pm; Sat-Sun 2pm-12am (4 day work week, 3 days off!)

Be a Mentor/Role Model

Are you bold enough to help teens rewrite their stories?
At New Alternatives, Inc., we don’t just work — we heal, guide, and empower. Our co-ed residential treatment facility in Chula Vista serves youth ages 11–18 who’ve survived trauma and are ready for something better. But they can’t do it alone — they need YOU.

This isn’t babysitting.
This is life-changing work — and we’re building a team of real ones who can stay calm in the chaos, lead with heart, and show up when it counts.

What You’ll Do

• Build real connections with teens who need structure, support, and someone who believes in them
• Teach life skills, model emotional regulation, and be the calm during the storm
• Lead groups, play sports, create routines, and engage in therapeutic daily living
• Respond to escalations with confidence (don’t worry — we train you!)
• Collaborate with a team that’s just as passionate and gritty as you are
• Grow your clinical and leadership skills every single week

Who You Are

• A natural leader with the emotional intelligence to work with youth in crisis
• A quick thinker who can follow structure, but also read the room
• Able to set firm, healthy boundaries and still connect with empathy
• A team player who doesn’t back down from challenges
• Ideally has:

o A Bachelor’s degree in psych, social work, or a related field OR

o 1+ year of experience working with at-risk teens in residential, behavioral, or educational settings

What You Get

• $20–$25/hour starting pay (based on experience and education)
• Raise opportunities within 6 months
• Full medical & dental benefits (30+ hours/week)
• Paid Vacation and Sick time
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Rapid growth opportunities – we love promoting from within
• Paid internships for grad students in some programs
• Gym membership discounts at LA Fitness & CRUNCH
• Endless on-the-job learning in trauma-informed care, mental health, and behavior intervention
• Professional Development Assistance
• Lots of room for advancement within the agency

Why This Role Matters

Our teens are navigating trauma, court systems, foster care, and more.
They need consistency, accountability, structure, and someone who doesn’t flinch when things get hard.

That could be you.
This could be your start in mental health, social work, education — or your long-term home in this mission.
Either way, it’s real work, with real impact, and real growth.

Ready to step up?

Apply now. Interviews happening this week.

Must be 21+ and able to pass background & reference checks.
Reliable transportation required.
Bilingual is a plus!

New Alternatives, Inc. is a private nonprofit agency that provides a wide range of services to children, youth and families in San Diego and Orange Counties. Services include residential, outpatient, day treatment and in home support services.
New Alternatives, Inc. is committed to providing Trauma Informed Care principles throughout our agency.