Child Care Worker

The House of the Good Shepherd; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Evening/weekend shifts

Job summary

The House of the Good Shepherd in Utica, NY seeks a dedicated Child Care Worker to support youth in our residential program. You will help create structure, safety, and healing opportunities for children who have experienced trauma, under Sanctuary Model guidelines.

Requirements include a high school diploma, willingness to pursue further education, and the ability to build positive relationships with children.

Qualifications

• Commitment to following Sanctuary Model commitments.
• Ability to form positive relationships with children.
• Understand and respond to children's developmental needs.
• Follow Trauma Informed Care orientation and agency policies.
• Promote growth and respect individuality in children.
• Ask developmentally appropriate questions and listen actively.
• Develop warm, nurturing relationships with each child.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.
• Practice infection control and hygiene.
• Apply knowledge of child development to activities.
• Adapt activities for individual needs and abilities.
• Identify appropriate behavior and set realistic expectations.
• Observe children to learn their interests and level.
• Model and teach appropriate behavior.
• Demonstrate professionalism at all times.
• Maintain a NY state driver's license.

Responsibilities

• As a Child Care Worker, you’ll be a steady presence for children and teens who have experienced significant trauma.
• Help create structure, safety, and security as they navigate daily life in a residential setting.
• Support healing journeys through developmentally appropriate activities and environments.
• Maintain professional conduct and comply with agency policies and reporting requirements.

Skills

Empathy

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Building relationships

Active listening

Professionalism

Observation

Adaptability

Classroom/activities planning

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Higher education preferred

Job description

$1000 Sign on bonus 3-11pm, includes weekendsAbout UsThe House of the Good Shepherd (HGS) has been changing children’s lives for over 150 years. We provide individualized, compassionate care to youth and families through a range of residential, educational, community, and foster care programs across Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the North Country. Our agency is built on a foundation of empathy, resilience, and the Sanctuary Model of care, which guides our commitment to healing and hope.What You’ll DoAs a Child Care Worker, you’ll be a steady presence for children and teens who have experienced significant trauma. In this role, you’ll help create a sense of structure, safety, and security as they navigate daily life in a residential setting. The work can be challenging, but your support will be a key part of a young person’s healing journey.Education and Experience Requirements:1. Minimum high school or equivalency diploma required; some higher education preferred.2. Experience with children highly desirable; sufficient maturity to work with and relate to children required.Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:1. Commitment to following and embracing the Seven Commitments of our Sanctuary Model.2. Ability to form positive relationships with children.3. Ability to understand and respond to children's basic developmental needs.4. Ability to understand and follow agency policy and Trauma Informed Care orientation.5. Understanding of basic needs and developmental issues of children in a way that promotes growth and respects individuality.6. Asks age and developmentally appropriate questions and actively listens to children’s responses.7. Develops a warm, positive, nurturing relationship with each child.8. Follows mandated reporting requirements regarding child abuse and neglect.9. Practices infection control, including appropriate hand washing procedures.10. Uses knowledge of developmental milestones, assists children in participating at their individual level of interest and ability.11. Interacts with children during meal and snack times, promoting appropriate social behavior.12. Applies knowledge of child development to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities and environments.13. Adapts activities and environments to meet the special needs and situations of individual children.14. Identifies developmentally appropriate behavior and reasonable expectations for children’s behavior.15. Uses observation as a way to “get to know” children –their interests and developmental levels.16. Ability for role model and teach appropriate behavior to children.17. Demonstrate a high level of professionalism at all times.18. Valid New York state driver’s license.