Entry Level Residential Counselor Jobs
New grad residential counselor jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong internship background or hands-on fieldwork can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services and Education, with employers like Riverside Community Care, Community Resources for Justice, and Eliot Community Human Services hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Entry Level Residential Counselor jobs
About CRJ: Our Mission, Your Opportunity
Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives and strengthening communities through direct service, advocacy, and innovation. We operate across four core service lines:
- Community Strategies (CS): Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities. Providing a range of top-quality residential and non-residential programs for men and women with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our programs offer individual and group treatment and are geared toward promoting independence and improving life skills. Clients also receive support with job development, on-the-job coaching, and educational opportunities.
- Reentry Services (RS): Supporting people leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions. We firmly believe that change is possible and attainable for all that we serve. With a strict focus on outcomes, the Reentry Services Division is committed to delivering contemporary and evidence-based services to the individuals in our care. Through delivering innovative programming and collaborating with community agencies, we provide hope and support to our clients as they make safe and successful transitions into their communities.
- Crime & Justice Institute (CJI): Driving bold, transformative improvements in adult and youth justice systems by working with working with local, state, and national criminal justice organizations to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. The CJI team brings decades of experience developing evidence-based, data-driven policies, managing complex processes with diverse stakeholders, and driving systems-level organizational change. Our energetic staff and network of consultants come from a variety of backgrounds.
- Family Reentry (FRE): At Family Reentry, we address the often-intertwining problems of behavioral health, domestic violence, reentry, recidivism, and risks to youth by offering evidence-based interventions to provide support and effect positive change. We offer a holistic approach by working to connect clients to basic needs and offering support to create change and increase stronger coping and life skills.
Benefits: CRJ offers eligible employees medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off and holidays, life and disability insurance, and a retirement plan with a company match. Additional benefits include tuition assistance, an employee assistance program, training and professional development opportunities, and voluntary benefit options.
CRJ is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today and be part of the change!
Support Lives, Build Futures — Residential Counselor Opportunity
Schedule: Full-time, 40 Hours a week, First & Second Shifts
Salary: The starting rate for this position is $20/hr. and is benefits eligible
CRJ’s Disabilities Services supports adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities through specialized programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We offer a range of residential and day programs to support people in the places they want to live and work. We provide care tailored to the needs of individuals we serve; we don’t look to make the individuals fit into our programs.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? Join our team as a Residential Counselor and help create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for individuals with disabilities in our group homes.
What You’ll Bring:
- High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred.
- Prior experience working in residential or behavioral health settings is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to remain calm and compassionate in challenging situations.
- Prior experience with electronic documenting and report writing.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
What You’ll Do:
- Provide direct support and supervision to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Assist with daily living activities, including meal preparation, medication monitoring, and transportation.
- Foster a positive and respectful community environment.
- Document resident progress and incidents accurately and timely.
- Collaborate with clinical staff to support individualized treatment plans.
- Respond to crises and implement de-escalation techniques when needed.
Why Join Us?
- Supportive team environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- Meaningful work that impacts lives every day.
Benefits: CRJ offers eligible employees medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off and holidays, life and disability insurance, and a retirement plan with a company match. Additional benefits include tuition assistance, an employee assistance program, training and professional development opportunities, and voluntary benefit options.
Ready to make a difference?
Apply today and become part of a team that values compassion, integrity, excellence, and creativity.
About CRJ: Our Mission, Your Opportunity
Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives and strengthening communities through direct service, advocacy, and innovation. We operate across four core service lines:
- Community Strategies (CS): Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities. Providing a range of top-quality residential and non-residential programs for men and women with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our programs offer individual and group treatment and are geared toward promoting independence and improving life skills. Clients also receive support with job development, on-the-job coaching, and educational opportunities.
- Reentry Services (RS): Supporting people leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions. We firmly believe that change is possible and attainable for all that we serve. With a strict focus on outcomes, the Reentry Services Division is committed to delivering contemporary and evidence-based services to the individuals in our care. Through delivering innovative programming and collaborating with community agencies, we provide hope and support to our clients as they make safe and successful transitions into their communities.
- Crime & Justice Institute (CJI): Driving bold, transformative improvements in adult and youth justice systems by working with working with local, state, and national criminal justice organizations to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. The CJI team brings decades of experience developing evidence-based, data-driven policies, managing complex processes with diverse stakeholders, and driving systems-level organizational change. Our energetic staff and network of consultants come from a variety of backgrounds.
- Family Reentry (FRE): At Family Reentry, we address the often-intertwining problems of behavioral health, domestic violence, reentry, recidivism, and risks to youth by offering evidence-based interventions to provide support and effect positive change. We offer a holistic approach by working to connect clients to basic needs and offering support to create change and increase stronger coping and life skills.
Benefits: CRJ offers eligible employees medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off and holidays, life and disability insurance, and a retirement plan with a company match. Additional benefits include tuition assistance, an employee assistance program, training and professional development opportunities, and voluntary benefit options.
CRJ is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today and be part of the change!
Support Lives, Build Futures — Residential Counselor Opportunity
Schedule: Full-time, 40 Hours a week, First & Second Shifts
Salary: The starting rate for this position is $20/hr. and is benefits eligible
CRJ’s Disabilities Services supports adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities through specialized programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We offer a range of residential and day programs to support people in the places they want to live and work. We provide care tailored to the needs of individuals we serve; we don’t look to make the individuals fit into our programs.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? Join our team as a Residential Counselor and help create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for individuals with disabilities in our group homes.
What You’ll Bring:
- High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred.
- Prior experience working in residential or behavioral health settings is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to remain calm and compassionate in challenging situations.
- Prior experience with electronic documenting and report writing.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
What You’ll Do:
- Provide direct support and supervision to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Assist with daily living activities, including meal preparation, medication monitoring, and transportation.
- Foster a positive and respectful community environment.
- Document resident progress and incidents accurately and timely.
- Collaborate with clinical staff to support individualized treatment plans.
- Respond to crises and implement de-escalation techniques when needed.
Why Join Us?
- Supportive team environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- Meaningful work that impacts lives every day.
Benefits: CRJ offers eligible employees medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off and holidays, life and disability insurance, and a retirement plan with a company match. Additional benefits include tuition assistance, an employee assistance program, training and professional development opportunities, and voluntary benefit options.
Ready to make a difference?
Apply today and become part of a team that values compassion, integrity, excellence, and creativity.
See All 12 Entry Level Residential Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Residential Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
Entry Level Residential Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level residential counselor job?
Start by highlighting any hands-on experience with vulnerable populations, such as internships, volunteer work, or supervised practicums from your degree program. Employers at this level typically look for a relevant degree in social work, psychology, or a related field, strong communication skills, and a genuine commitment to resident well-being. CPR certification and any crisis intervention training give candidates a clear edge at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level residential counselors?
Companies hiring entry level residential counselors right now include Riverside Community Care, Community Resources for Justice, and Eliot Community Human Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from group homes, nonprofit social service agencies, behavioral health organizations, and residential treatment facilities that actively develop new talent through structured onboarding.
Are there remote entry level residential counselor jobs?
Yes, though most positions in this field are on-site due to the direct-care nature of the work. About 0% of entry level residential counselor openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those that do offer flexibility tend to involve administrative coordination, case documentation, or virtual support roles rather than direct residential care.
Are these new grad residential counselor jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior residential counselor roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internships or supervised field placements toward qualifications, or accepts a strong portfolio of coursework and community involvement in place of full-time professional history.
Which industries hire the most entry level residential counselors?
Entry Level residential counselor roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive consistent hiring at the entry level because they operate round-the-clock residential programs that depend on a steady pipeline of motivated early-career staff to maintain staffing ratios and program quality.