In Home Counselor - Des Moines/Lee County

CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

  • Level: Experienced
  • Job Location: US-IA-Burlington - Burlington, IA 52601
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Education Level: Bachelor's Degree
  • Travel Percentage: Frequent Travel Required - Up to 50%Job
  • Shift: 1st Shift
  • Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

What you will do? As the In-home Youth Counselor you will be assigned to cases in the counties of Des Moines and Lee County and provide services to JCS Youth either returning to the community from placement in residential treatment and the State Training School or about to be placed in the same.

The position provides supervision for the youth in the home community while providing treatment services to youth and families. Specific duties include: Prepare and implement a client Situational Plan and a Family Support Plan with input from the youth, family, referral source, and placement agency.

Demonstrate proficiency in use of various service techniques. Develop a relationship with the youth and family. Conduct numerous telephone and one-on-one contacts with the youth & family. Update parents and referring worker of client status. Provide mentoring to client and family.

Hold client accountable to the rules of supervision (probation contract). Monitor client behavior and risk domains utilizing the Thinking Errors and Anger Controls models as well as deliberate efforts improving domains (making more protective). Interface with school and community contacts.

Provide formal reports or testimony on youth status. Provide consistent, individualized reinforcement to youth behavior, using daily issues to teach and reinforce adaptive behaviors. Assist clients in developing insight into their behaviors so they learn to self-identify and self-correct.

Understand impact of youth behaviors on their actions and the resulting consequences, and utilizes team feedback to increase effectiveness of interventions.

Why Work here? Four Oaks understands the importance of supporting and treating one another as if they were our own family members. We believe in maintaining a healthy work/life balance while providing career paths for everyone.

Our organization flourishes in an environment of equal opportunity and fair treatment for all. The effects of diversity and inclusion have created an atmosphere of positivity which connects us to the customers we serve.

As a valued team member, you are eligible for: Medical, dental & vision insurance 401k Retirement plan Growth & Advancement opportunities Competitive Wages Excellent paid leave time package 7 paid holidays Business casual work environment Qualifications & Program InformationWhat you need: A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university OR Bachelor’s Degree in related field plus two years of human service related experience is required.

Key Responsibilities

Provide supervision and treatment services to youth returning to the community from residential treatment or state training schools. Develop and implement situational and family support plans while monitoring client behavior and risk domains.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a related field with at least two years of human service experience. Must be able to travel frequently up to 50% of the time.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Case ManagementCrisis InterventionBehavioral MonitoringFamily Support PlanningClient AdvocacyReportingInterpersonal Communication

Social Work — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 34% are remote, 38% have no call, 52% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

How many Social Work jobs are remote?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score7.2 / 10 · top 25% in social work (counseling)ranked against 321 Social Work (Counseling) listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedSocial Work median $72k (middle half $63k–$84k)330 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingIowa index 87.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Work settingon-sitepeers: 34% remote · 38% no call · 52% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Social Work pay trend+4.4% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (321 Social Work (Counseling) listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates In Home Counselor - Des Moines/Lee County at FOUR OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDRENS SERVICES a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Social Work (Counseling) — ranked against 321 active Social Work (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Counselor Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution27 jobs · 23 employers

6
<$70k
10
$70k-85k
5
$85k-100k
4
$100k-115k
2
$115k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 23 employers

401k / retirement match
92% this job
CME allowance
50%
Sign-on bonus
23%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 7.2
Better work-life than 80% of Social Work (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 321 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Four Oaks Family and Childrens Services logo

About Four Oaks Family and Childrens Services

Non-profit Organizations
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental & vision insurance
401k Retirement plan
Competitive wages
Excellent paid leave time package
7 paid holidays
Business casual work environment

Living in Burlington

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$145k
Typical market rent
$1,000/mo
Residents’ average commute
16 min
State income tax
Up to 6%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.