Direct Care Counselor - TASP Program

Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 24,796 - 30,307; Full time

Job summary

Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs in Needham, MA, seeks a Direct Care Counselor for its Therapeutic After School Program (TASP). You will work with Department of Mental Health-enrolled youth, ages 6-13, providing therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities that support social-emotional development and skill-building.

You will design daily activities for up to 8 youth, review ISPs/IAPs, provide counseling, document progress, communicate with families, and participate in

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; MAP Certification within 90 days if not current.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in related field.
• Experience in a residential setting required; supervisory experience preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in a similar setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement therapeutic, educational, recreational, and developmentally appropriate programming for enrolled youth.
• Review and integrate ISPs and IAPs to align programming with goals.
• Design, plan, and facilitate daily activities and group sessions (up to 8 youth).
• Provide supportive counseling and coping/stress-reduction skill development.
• Document youth attendance, participation, and progress in the electronic health record.
• Maintain communication with families regarding attendance, participation, progress, and concerns.
• Transport youth safely to and from the after-school program using a program van or personal vehicle.
• Participate in supervision and staff meetings as scheduled.
• Ensure high-quality programming and youth support.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Driver's license

Auto insurance

Community travel

Deadline oriented

Verbal communication

Written communication

MAP certification

TCI certification

First Aid/CPR

Computer skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About Walker

Since 1961, Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs has been a trusted partner for children, youth, and families, navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges. Based in Needham, our mission is to nurture hope, build strengths, and develop lifelong skills in partnership with the children, youth, families, and communities we serve. We provide comprehensive, trauma-informed residential, educational, and clinical services to children and youth with complex social‑emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, while supporting their families every step of the way. Through three specialized divisions—Residential & Educational Programs, Behavioral Health & Community-Based Services, and Walker Solutions—we deliver relationship-based care and capacity‑building that makes a lasting difference. Today, we serve children, youth, and families from more than 150 communities across Massachusetts.

Make a Difference Every Day—and Gain Skills You Can Use for Life

As a Direct Care Counselor in Walker’s Therapeutic After School Program (TASP), you will work with Department of Mental Health-enrolled youth, aged 6-13, in need of therapeutic, educational and recreational programming that supports youths’ social‑emotional development and skill‑building. Organize and facilitate activities and groups that are youth-guided, family-driven, and culturally competent, and support the ongoing operations of a structured, therapeutic milieu.

Essential Functions

• Work collaboratively with the Walker TASP Program Director and Clinician to develop and implement therapeutic, educational, recreational, and developmentally appropriate programming for enrolled youth.
• Review and integrate youth’s Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and Individual Action Plans (IAPs) to ensure all programming supports youths’ identified goals.
• Design, plan, and facilitate daily activities and group sessions (up to 8 youth), along with occasional family events, snacks, and special programming.
• Provide supportive counseling and coping/stress‑reduction skill development and assist students in applying these strategies throughout program hours.
• Document youth attendance, participation, and progress in Walker’s electronic health record, as required.
• Maintain communication with families regarding youth attendance, participation, progress, and any concerns that arise.
• Transport youth safely to and from the after‑school program using a program van or personal vehicle.
• Participate in supervision and staff meetings according to schedule and expectations.
• Ensure high‑quality programming and youth support.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills And Abilities

• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and reliable transportation required, including the ability to travel to community‑based meetings and to transport clients and families to appointments, trainings, groups, and other program-related activities.
• Proof of auto insurance that demonstrates coverage levels that meet the organization’s minimum requirements.
• Must have the ability to access different community locations for meetings including regularly attending meetings and trainings at Walker’s Needham location.
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to respond to and follow through with requests professionally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to sit at work station for prolonged periods of time, consistent with OSHA requirements.
• Ability to perform required function of Medication Administration Program (MAP) and must pass and maintain MAP certification.
• Ability to perform required functions of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and must pass and maintain TCI certification.
• Ability to pass and maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Physical stamina to participate in activities with children.
• Ability to stand, walk, and run for extended periods, perform frequent bending, stooping, stretching, lifting (up to 10 lbs.), sitting, stairs, typing, and looking at a computer screen.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and computer experience is required.

Schedule

• Varies; program operates 10‑6 Monday – Friday with milieu hours typically 3‑6.

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

• Required: High School diploma or GED required; MAP Certification (must complete within 90 days of start date if not currently certified).
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in related field.

Experience

• Required: Experience working in a residential setting required; preferred supervisory experience in a residential setting.
• Preferred: 1–3 years of previous experience working in a similar setting.

Other Requirements

• Obtain Elementary Education and Care (EEC) background check suitability.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Valid MA driver’s license preferred.

Supervisor: TASP Program Director

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, national guard or reserve unit obligations, participation in discrimination complaint-related activities, or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.