Mental Health Worker - Relief

Make a difference. Build relationships. Help youth discover what theyre capable of.

Flexible, As-Needed Schedule | Starting Pay: $18.12–$20.39 per hour

Work Schedule: Varied shifts based on program needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Relief Mental Health Workers select available shifts to help cover vacations, planned absences, and other staffing needs. A minimum of 16 hours of direct care per month is required.

Why This Job Matters

At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Mental Health Workers do far more than supervise youth. They serve as mentors, role models, coaches, and trusted adults for children and adolescents receiving residential treatment services.

As a Relief Mental Health Worker, you provide the same meaningful support and connection as our regularly scheduled staff while enjoying the flexibility of selecting available shifts that fit your schedule.

Whether you're looking for supplemental income, a flexible work opportunity, or a way to put your passion for helping others into action, this is an opportunity to make a difference when it matters most.

Like the old commercial said, this is the toughest job you will ever love.

What Makes This Opportunity Worth It?

- Flexible scheduling: Select available shifts based on your availability and YBGR's staffing needs.

- Meaningful work: Build relationships with youth and help them develop skills they can use throughout their lives.

- Make an impact: Provide consistency, encouragement, and support during important moments in a young person's treatment journey.

- Room to grow: Access ongoing training, professional development, and opportunities to learn more about the field.

- A supportive team: Work alongside caring people who share a commitment to youth, families, and our mission.

What Does a Relief Mental Health Worker Do?

What You Will Do

Build positive relationships, provide supervision, facilitate activities, teach life skills, support treatment plans, document observations, maintain a safe environment, and help youth navigate challenges and celebrate successes.

Relief staff are an important part of the treatment team. They step in when additional coverage is needed and help ensure youth continue receiving consistent, quality care.

Responsibilities include:

- Provide supervision and maintain a safe, positive, and therapeutic environment.

- Build relationships with youth while modeling appropriate communication, behavior, and problem-solving.

- Facilitate recreational, educational, social, and other therapeutic activities.

- Support treatment goals by teaching coping skills, social skills, and daily living skills.

- Complete accurate and timely documentation.

- Communicate and collaborate with coworkers, supervisors, and other members of the treatment team.

- Follow established treatment plans, safety expectations, and organizational policies.

A Little Honesty

Some days you may help a youth achieve a major breakthrough. Other days you may spend 15 minutes discussing why wearing shoes is important. Both days matter.

Working relief means being flexible, dependable, and ready to step into a team environment where consistency is important. You won't always know exactly what the day will bring, but your willingness to show up and build connections can make a lasting difference.

You don't have to have all the answers. You do need to be willing to learn, work as part of a team, and show up for youth when they need you.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications:

- Be at least 21 years old.

- Have a high school diploma or GED.

- Successfully pass required criminal background and child abuse registry clearances in accordance with Montana requirements.

Skills and Qualities That Matter:

- Empathy and compassion: Recognize that challenging behavior can be a sign of a young person struggling and respond with care and appropriate support.

- Communication and relationship-building: Listen, communicate clearly, and navigate difficult conversations respectfully.

- Professional boundaries: Understand the importance of confidentiality, ethical conduct, and maintaining appropriate relationships with youth and families.

- Reliability and accountability: Follow through on accepted shifts, arrive prepared, and take responsibility for your work.

- Flexibility and initiative: Adapt to changing needs, step into different situations, and remain engaged and solution-focused.

- Team-first thinking: Work collaboratively and support coworkers to meet the needs of youth and the program.

- A sense of humor: Stay positive, recognize opportunities to build connection, and understand that sometimes a little appropriate humor goes a long way.

Relief Position Expectations

To be successful in this role, Relief Mental Health Workers are expected to:

- Work a minimum of 16 hours per month providing direct care to youth (unless an approved exception applies).

- Communicate monthly with the YBGR Scheduler regarding availability.

- Honor accepted shifts and maintain reliable attendance.

- Participate in required training and supervision/coaching as applicable to the position.

Ready to Make a Difference?

You don't need to have every answer. You need a willingness to learn, a commitment to showing up, and a genuine desire to help young people discover their strengths.

If you're looking for flexible work that offers more than just a paycheck, and you can bring compassion, consistency, teamwork, and a little humor to the hard days and the good ones, we encourage you to apply.