Watson's Children Shelter Youth Counselor Missoula, MT · Full time

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Watson Children’s Shelter is a nonprofit organization in Missoula, Montana, providing safety, support, and stability for children and youth experiencing abuse, neglect, family crisis, homelessness, and other traumatic circumstances. Since 1977, Watson has served children and families across Western Montana through emergency shelter care, crisis intervention, case management, family support services, and mental health programming. Our team is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed environment where children can begin to heal, build resilience, and regain a sense of security. We work closely with families, child welfare agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and community partners to support positive outcomes for every child we serve. At Watson, relationships are at the heart of our work. We believe every child deserves safety, compassion, and the opportunity to thrive. Our staff bring dedication, empathy, and a shared commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families throughout our community.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Care & Child Support

• Acts Provide supervision and support to children during assigned shifts.
• Assist with daily routines including meals, hygiene, activities, transitions, and supervision.
• Work at and provide coverage for both Watson Children’s Shelter locations as operational needs require.
• 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.
• Share family style meals with youth.
• Coordinate and/or provide transportation for youth.
• Participate in general house cleaning/maintenance with youth.
• Model communication skills and assist with relationship building skills.
• Create, implement, and engage in recreational activities inside and outside the home
• Work with youth to meet their unique and individual needs.
• Monitor visits and other approved contact with family and outside contacts.
• Set healthy and developmentally appropriate limits and boundaries with youth and help them understand and adhere to house rules and routines.
• Learn to identify the need beneath the behavior and strive to meet need.
• Provide instruction and praise for positive behavior.
• Implement crisis intervention skills when necessary.
• Provide appropriate and developmentally appropriate responses to given behavior.
• Record behavioral data in communication logs, case notes, and incident reports.
• Full-time Youth Counselors can work as a “primary” youth counselor in a youth’s life, including one-on-one time and involvement in activities with youth.
• Set appropriate levels of intimacy, interpersonal communication, and boundaries.

 

Program & Facility Support

• Directs Assist supervisory staff in maintaining a clean, organized, sanitary, and safe environment.
• Prepare, use, and clean up materials and supplies needed for daily shelter activities.
• Support safe and secure storage of equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Follow food service, storage, and sanitation procedures as directed by Kitchen Manager.

 

Intake, Safety & Emergency Response

• Assist with intake procedures to support a welcoming, calm, and child-centered transition into the shelter.
• Monitor for safety concerns and immediately report incidents, injuries, or significant changes in children’s behavior or wellbeing.
• Follow correct evacuation and emergency procedures in the event of fire or other emergency situations.

 

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.

 

Professional Conduct & 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.