About this position
Behavioral Health Mentor (Residential Treatment – Youth Care)
Project Patch Youth Program – Boys’ Dorm
Garden Valley, Idaho (approximately 1 hour north of Boise)
Position Purpose
The Behavioral Health Mentor provides direct supervision, behavioral support, and youth mentorship to adolescents in a Christian, trauma-informed residential behavioral health treatment program. This role supports the emotional, behavioral, and spiritual development of at-risk youth ages 12–17 through consistent structure, positive role modeling, therapeutic engagement, and relationship-based care in a residential behavioral health setting.
About Project Patch
Project Patch is a nonprofit, Christian residential treatment center in Idaho serving adolescents ages 12–17 who are beginning to make unhealthy life choices and need structure, behavioral support, and mentorship. The program is licensed by the State of Idaho for up to 40 clients and employs approximately 40 staff members. Our mission is to restore hope and direction through faith-based, trauma-informed residential care for youth.
Location & Lifestyle
Our residential treatment campus is located in the mountains of Garden Valley, Idaho, surrounded by abundant wildlife and year-round outdoor recreation. This role is ideal for individuals seeking behavioral health or youth counselor jobs in Idaho who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. Very affordable on-site staff housing is occasionally available.
Schedule
This is a full-time, day shift position. Pitman schedule (2,2,3) which requires alternating weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Compensation & Benefits
This position is eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and offers competitive hourly pay. Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage begins the first of the month following the 60th day of employment. Paid Time Off (PTO) begins accruing no later than the 90th day of employment. Sick time begins accruing on the day of hire. Ongoing training and professional development opportunities are provided, including trauma-informed care and behavioral intervention training.
Minimum Qualifications
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. For day shift positions, candidates are preferred to be age 25 or older but must be at least 19 years of age at the time of hire. Prior experience working with adolescents, at-risk youth, residential treatment, behavioral health, education, or youth mentorship is preferred but not required.
Required Certifications (or Ability to Obtain Upon Hire)
CPR and First Aid certification; crisis prevention and de-escalation training; medication administration training; mandated reporter training; and trauma-informed care training, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) or equivalent residential behavioral health models.
Essential Functions
Maintain appropriate line-of-sight supervision and ensure the safety, care, and welfare of youth in a residential treatment environment at all times. Implement behavior support plans and individualized care strategies consistently and in accordance with program policy. Respond to behavioral health crises using approved crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. Accurately complete required documentation, incident reports, and shift records. Distribute medications only after completing required training and strictly according to policy and physician orders. Collaborate with shift leaders, clinicians, and team members to plan and carry out daily residential programming. Participate actively in recreation, education, and therapeutic activities with clients. Model healthy relationships, boundaries, and decision-making for adolescents in care.
Additional Duties
Assist with group facilitation and therapeutic activities as requested. Support residential household operations including meals, transportation, and daily living activities. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and supervision. Contribute to a structured, supportive, and therapeutic residential treatment environment.
Trauma-Informed Care Expectations
Behavioral Health Mentors are expected to maintain a calm, regulated presence during stress or conflict, use trauma-informed approaches that emphasize empathy, consistency, and choice, avoid power struggles, support emotional regulation skills, and apply Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) principles in daily youth interactions.
Spiritual Mentorship Responsibilities
This is a Christian, faith-based residential program. Staff are expected to support the spiritual mission of Project Patch by modeling conduct consistent with Christian values, assisting with or leading worship services as needed, and mentoring youth through prayer, Bible study, and one-on-one spiritual discussions.
Physical & Environmental Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, and remain alert for extended periods. Ability to participate in physically active recreation and outdoor activities. Ability to intervene physically when necessary, in accordance with training and policy. Ability to work in a residential behavioral health environment, including overnight or extended shifts when needed.
Professional Conduct & Boundaries
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with youth at all times. Adhere to ethical, legal, and organizational standards of conduct. Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary residential treatment team.
Core Competencies
Youth mentorship and relationship-based care; behavioral intervention and de-escalation; crisis response and emotional regulation support; trauma-informed residential care; clear communication and documentation; team collaboration and reliability.
Who Thrives in This Role
This position is well-suited for individuals seeking behavioral health mentor jobs, youth counselor roles, or residential treatment positions who are calm under pressure, value structure and teamwork, enjoy working with adolescents, and feel called to serve in a faith-based residential treatment environment.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Project Patch is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected status.
Salary Information