Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Tech

Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Technician

Location: Clover Bottom Campus – Nashville, TN
(Walnut/Rosewood Youth Academy, Harpeth Primary Assessment Center, Two Rivers Primary Assessment Center, Safe Therapeutic Respite Center)
Department: Direct Care / Residential Services
Job Type: Full-Time

About Youth Opportunity & Clover Bottom Campus

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at-risk youth. The Clover Bottom Campus in Nashville, Tennessee, is a multi-program campus providing trauma-informed residential and assessment-based care for youth with complex behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.

The campus includes Walnut/Rosewood Youth Academy, Harpeth Primary Assessment Center, Two Rivers Primary Assessment Center, and a Safe Therapeutic Respite Center. Serving adolescents across varying levels of care, Clover Bottom combines structured supervision, clinical treatment, education, recreation, and life-skills programming to support stabilization, accountability, and successful transition into long-term care or community-based settings.

Youth Opportunity is dedicated to empowering youth through individualized care, strong relationships, and a culture rooted in teamwork, leadership, and accountability. We invest in excellence—both in the youth we serve and the employees who support them.

About the Role

The Youth Care Specialist / Mental Health Technician is a direct-care position responsible for the supervision, safety, and daily support of youth in a residential or assessment setting. This role provides structured guidance while modeling appropriate behavior, reinforcing positive decision-making, and supporting treatment goals.

Youth Care Specialists work closely with clinical, educational, and operational staff to maintain a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment. This position plays a critical role in helping youth develop internal controls, social skills, and personal responsibility.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with up to 4% employer match with Immediate Vesting

Paid time off (PTO) and holidays – earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period

Free RX delivery on most medications

Tuition reimbursement and professional development

Robust Employee Assistance Program

Supportive, mission-driven work environment

Key Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision to a group of approximately 7–10 youth during waking and non-waking hours

Maintain constant awareness of youth whereabouts and ensure compliance with safety, security, and movement procedures

Create and maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment using trauma-informed care principles

Utilize group counseling techniques, individual relationships, and positive discipline strategies, including the I-Choose behavior management system

Apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when necessary to maintain safety

Conduct group meetings, huddles, problem-solving sessions, and daily reviews to reinforce accountability and positive peer interaction

Represent youth progress, needs, and concerns to the treatment team or designated counselor

Assist classroom teachers with supervision and reinforcement of educational content within living units

Support youth participation in recreational, educational, and treatment-related activities

Document daily shift activities, incidents, and population counts in accordance with policy

Communicate critical information to oncoming shifts to ensure continuity of care

Make referrals for medical or special needs as appropriate

Report any incidents or concerns related to youth safety or boundary violations

Participate in required training and professional development activities

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required

Two years of college coursework in a social or human services field preferred

For candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of experience working with youth preferred

Strong verbal communication skills and ability to build respectful, professional relationships with youth

Demonstrated group leadership and counseling skills

Ability to think independently, analyze situations, and respond appropriately

Ability to complete accurate, objective written documentation

First Aid, CPR, and approved crisis intervention certifications must be obtained during the probationary period

Valid state driver’s license required

Must meet all state and criminal background check requirements

Physical Demands

• Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable
• Able to actively engage with youth, participate in physical interventions, and transport youth or staff as needed
• Must be free of communicable diseases as defined by the state
• Must pass evaluation of physical techniques and certification exams

Apply Today

Apply on Indeed or visit www.YouthOpportunity.com/YourFuture 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Youth Opportunity Investments is an equal opportunity employer