Job Description

Are you looking to make a difference in a child’s life? Do you love helping people reach their full potential? Do you want to feel good about the job you are doing? If you answered yes to all these questions, then we want you to join our team! We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate Youth Development Counselor to work alongside other team members to provide 24 hours supervision, structure and guidance to the residents of a 10-bed female adolescent Youth Reception Center. The Youth Development Counselor works with participants and their families to create a therapeutic milieu in which each participant is able to reach their potential and learn socially appropriate behavior, homemaking skills and develop their individual skills and abilities.

Job Title: Youth Development Counselor

Reports to: Residential Life Supervisor; Euphrasian Diagnostic Center

Location: 479 Jersey Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11207

Hours: 40/hours non-exempt. Position requires staff to be onsite. Must be available full time for Day; Evening and/or Overnight Shift. Some weekend shifts will be required.

Salary Range: $20-$22 per hour

Major Duties:

• Ensure the whereabouts and safety of participants at all times.
• Plan, lead and engage participants in a range of program activities including recreational activities, family activities, tutoring, cultural events, and special activities for evenings or weekends.
• Escort participants to and from court, school, medical, pre-placement visits to other agencies, family/sibling visits, and other various appointments.
• Monitor participants’ school performance, including homework assistance and tutoring.
• Supervise and record participant medical needs and follow-up on recommendations.
• Attend teacher/social worker update meetings.
• Maintain documentation logs of daily activities, progress notes and critical events.
• Complete assessments and reports for presentation at team meetings.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar), and self-care in the department/program to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required;
• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must have excellent written, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to transition easily between working independently with a high degree of self-initiative and contributing as part of a team.
• Valid Driver's License required; comfortable driving in the New York Metro areas including the five boroughs and Long Island.
• Participate in creating a safe and therapeutic milieu.
• Effective in conflict resolution and crisis intervention techniques and practices.
• Must be able to successfully complete state mandated crisis intervention training and perform physical restraint of a resident.
• Must be able to successfully complete state mandated medication administration training.
• Must be flexible to work evening, overnight, weekend and holiday hours.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth and family development and trauma-informed perspective.
• Bilingual – Spanish preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be able to successfully complete state mandated crisis intervention training within two months of hire
• Must successfully complete a pre-hire physical ability test.
• Ability to perform physical restraint of youth using approved restraint procedures.
• Must be capable of sustained physical exertion and have no limitations on ability to engage in necessary physical intervention activities including but not limited to standing, twisting, turning, kneeling, and supporting a participant’s body weight.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.