LifeSet Specialist - Hickory, NC

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

 

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org




Program Overview: 

LifeSet, developed by Youth Villages, is one of the nation’s first — and now one of the largest — evidence-based, intensive community-based programs that acts as a bridge between foster care, juvenile justice, and mental health systems, guiding young people (ages 17 to 23) toward successful adulthood. 
 
The program offers individualized, clinically focused case management and counseling support across key areas: interpersonal connectedness/social support, housing, mental and physical health, career and employment, life skills, and education.  
 
LifeSet Specialists work directly with young adults in community settings—whether at home, school, or other convenient locations—to help them build self-sufficiency and navigate available resources.  Goals include fostering stronger family relationships, improving high school graduation rates, reducing substance use, and decreasing homelessness, incarceration, and intimate partner violence. 
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  
 
The LifeSet Specialist: 

 

• Carries a maximum caseload of 8 to 10 young adults 
• Meets with the young adult at a minimum of one time per week, increasing and decreasing as directed by the clinical supervisor on the basis of clinical need 
• Provides accurate and complete information to clinical supervisor in a timely manner in the event of a crisis 
• Implements suggestions of interventions provided by supervisor and/or licensed program expert in a timely manner to be reflected in the next treatment plan cycle 
• Participates weekly in all supervision exercises to ensure the appropriate conceptualization and implementation of treatment 
• Provides all therapeutic services in accordance with Youth Villages’ mission and values and LifeSet Model principles 
• Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster training sessions to enhance clinical skills  
• Conducts on-going assessment of young adult to determine their needs from a strength-focused, solution-based perspective  
• Engages and aligns with the young adult and their support system to elicit full participation in treatment 
• Provides on-call crisis support to the young adult (schedules vary by location) 
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR) 
• Performs other duties as assigned 

 

Additional Information:  

 

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.  
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance. 
• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage. 

 

Salary

$58,000 - $66,000 / salary based on education and clinical license

Qualifications:

It is Youth Villages’ NC policy to hire candidates that meet one of the following levels of education and experience:

Bachelor’s Degree Applicant Qualifications:

• Must possess degree at time of application.
• Degree must be in a clinical field of study.
• Must have two years of full-time clinical experience (4,000 hours) with designated population.

Master’s Degree Applicant Qualifications:

• Must possess degree at time of application.
• Degree must be in a clinical field of study.
• Must have one year of full-time clinical experience (2,000 hours) with designated population.

Clinical Licensed Applicant Qualifications:

• Must hold one of the following licenses in the state of North Carolina: LCMHC-A, LMFT-A, LCSW-A, or LCAS-A.

 

Additional Qualifications:

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Basic computer knowledge

Ability to maintain a flexible schedule




Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

• 401(k)

• Time off:

• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

  • 12 paid sick days per year

  • 11 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

• Growth & development through continuous training

• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.




Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.