Youth Support Mentor- Counselor

Build Your Career While Making a Difference with Youth

O-I-See Youth Strategies is a small nonprofit organization in Hudson, Wisconsin providing individualized, one-to-one support for youth ages 7–18. This position is an excellent professional opportunity for someone beginning or building a career in psychology, human services, social work, education, special education, sociology, criminal justice, counseling, or another helping profession.

As an O-I-See Youth Support Mentor, you will develop meaningful relationships with individually matched youth while helping them build skills, confidence, strategies, and solutions toward individualized goals. Youth Support Mentors work one-to-one with youth at our Hudson office and throughout surrounding communities.

This is a full-time, Monday through Friday position with no weekends. Most youth sessions take place during after-school and early evening hours during the school year.

Professional Growth at O-I-See

O-I-See is committed to helping employees grow professionally while they support the growth of youth.  Youth Support Mentors gain hands-on experience working with youth, families, Social Workers, Therapists, Educators, community professionals, and the O-I-See team.

O-I-See has an established professional development pathway from Youth Support Mentor to Youth Support Counselor. As employees gain experience, complete training, and demonstrate increased professional competencies, they have the opportunity to advance into the Youth Support Counselor position with additional responsibilities and increased compensation.

What You'll Do

• Provide individualized, one-to-one guidance and support for matched youth.
• Build positive and professional relationships with youth, families, and youth team members.
• Help youth identify attainable goals and develop strategies and skills to work toward them.
• Plan meaningful and enjoyable youth sessions based upon individual needs and goals.
• Monitor youth progress and complete required notes, reports, and documentation.
• Collaborate with families, Social Workers, Therapists, Educators, and other professionals.
• Connect youth and families with community resources specific to their needs.
• Coordinate and maintain youth schedules.
• Participate in team collaboration, professional development, and organizational projects.
• Work independently while remaining an active and supportive member of the O-I-See team.
• Assist with organizational responsibilities and projects between youth sessions, during cancellations, and while developing a full caseload.

Who We're Looking For

The right person is caring and comfortable building relationships with youth while also being self-motivated, dependable, organized, flexible, and interested in professional growth.

We are looking for someone who can work collaboratively as part of a small team while developing the independence, initiative, problem-solving skills, and professional judgment needed to successfully manage their responsibilities.

A Bachelor's Degree in human services, social work, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, education, or a related field is preferred. Applicants with a two-year Human Services degree, currently enrolled in school, or significant youth experience may also be considered.  We are also open to hiring part-time professionals, if the person is a fit and has the available hours for the youth waiting for a mentor.

Applicants must also:

• Have an understanding of youth development, particularly for youth ages 7–18.
• Have a passion for youth advocacy and success.
• Demonstrate strong communication, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Be well-organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple responsibilities.
• Be comfortable taking initiative while knowing when collaboration or additional guidance is needed.
• Have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Be interested in providing consistency for youth and families, with a preferred 1.5-year commitment.

Schedule & Location

This position is based at the O-I-See Youth Strategies office in Hudson, Wisconsin. Youth sessions take place at the office and throughout surrounding communities.

O-I-See provides company vehicles for transportation during youth sessions, along with assigned office space and a company phone for professional use.

This is a full-time, Monday through Friday position with no weekends. Applicants must have availability for afternoon and evening youth sessions, with work hours extending as late as 8:00 p.m.

Compensation & Advancement

Youth Support Mentor starting wage: $17–$19 per hour, based upon qualifications and relevant experience.  Through O-I-See's established professional development pathway, Youth Support Mentors have the opportunity to advance into the Youth Support Counselor position with increased responsibilities and compensation as training, experience, and demonstrated competencies are achieved.

Full-Time Benefits

• O-I-See pays 50% of health insurance
• O-I-See pays 50% of dental insurance
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with O-I-See match up to 3%
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Professional development and internal training
• Company phone
• Company vehicles for youth sessions
• Monday through Friday schedule
• No weekends

Grow With O-I-See

This position can provide valuable hands-on experience for someone pursuing a career in psychology, human services, social work, education, special education, counseling, criminal justice, or another helping profession.  If you are looking for meaningful work with youth, opportunities to continue learning, and a small-team environment where your growth and contributions matter, we encourage you to apply.