Employment Opportunities

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The Discovery School of Virginia and the Discovery School of Virginia for Girls are year-round, outdoor emotional growth programs for troubled teenagers. The school believes that, when challenged and treated with respect, young people will develop the sense of self-worth and responsibility they need to become successful members of a community.

Counseling at the Discovery Schools challenges you to apply your own life experience as part of a team committed to changing the lives of troubled youth. Few other entry-level positions can offer you such a unique opportunity for professional development and personal fulfillment.

As a counselor ("Group Leader"), you work cooperatively with other adults to plan growth and adventure experiences for youth in your care. You lead work and play activities, as well as structured meetings where students resolve differences. Most importantly, you foster a healthy, secure environment in which young men and women can turn their lives around.

We provide on-the-job training in

• Group Dynamics
• Individual and Group Treatment
• Outdoor Living Skills
• Conflict Resolution
• First Aid
• Crisis Management
 

The Discovery Schools serves teenagers who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, and learning problems. Often our students have experienced failure or frustration in the traditional school setting. They typically have unresolved emotional and family issues. Rather than following a medical treatment model, we provide students with warm but firm guidance in forming supportive relationships with peers and authority figures. We believe that the outdoor environment acts as a constant teacher to the students and staff alike, because it offers challenges and opportunities to experience tangible success.

Two Group Leaders and a supervisor are assigned to each group of ten students at the school. Groups live in rustic campsite villages comprised of 8-10 cabin-sized tents which they design, construct, maintain, and replace as needed. As part of a typical day, students work to meet the basic needs of the group. They also attend formal academic classes and participate in group recreation activities. During the summer, groups have the option of planning extended off-campus backpacking, canoeing, and caving trips. Each day ends with a meeting where students can evaluate their own day, resolve feelings, and plan for tomorrow.