JYF- Youth Counselor

Rising Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading youth support organization is hiring a Youth Counselor in New York, responsible for supervising children and promoting healthy habits. The role involves maintaining safety and providing educational support as needed. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, experience working with youth, and a valid NYS Driver’s License. This full-time position requires working on-site at juvenile justice facilities. Overtime may be mandatory, and physical requirements include lifting and traveling between sites.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in a residential setting with youth.
• Valid NYS Driver's License required.
• High school diploma or GED is a must.

Responsibilities

• Supervise assigned children throughout the day.
• Participate in daily living routines and assist with education.
• Ensure safety and well-being of youth in care.

Skills

Experience working with youth

Valid NYS Driver’s License

Ability to perform physical restraint

Education

High school Diploma or GED

College preferred

Job description

About The Role

Youth Counselor (NSD) are the guardians of the daily milieu, and their role is central in helping the youth residing in the facility. Supervise their assigned children in everyday life from the time they get up in the morning to the time they go to bed, and through the night. They participate in daily living routines and guide the children in establishing and maintaining health promoting and socially desirable habits, regarding personal hygiene, grooming, diet and mealtime behavior, leisure time activities and interaction with peers and adults. They support and maintain standards of good care, safety and order, and provide a sense of security and well‑being for each youth by assuring protection from being hurt physically or abused emotionally. They are concerned about youth’s health needs and, under medical or nursing supervision, may care for a youth who is ill, give first aid and dispense medication. They encourage and assist youth in formal education by helping with homework and conveying a positive attitude toward learning. They help youth develop constructive attitudes toward work and pride in their living environment, participate in planning and organizing leisure time activities, and encourage participation in group games and development of skills. They convey empathy and encourage trusting relationships between youth and staff, interpret agency policies and requirements, and consult and share information with other disciplines in planning and evaluation conferences.

What You’ll Do

• Provides direct supervision and is accountable for the whereabouts of residents.
• Manages person‑supported behavior with the goal of teaching positive, lasting changes.
• Implements daily routines, schedules and procedures.
• Assures the safety of the person‑supported and maintains security.
• Maintains high standards of sanitary conditions throughout the house including cleaning and laundry.
• Participates in planning and execution of educational, recreational, and personal enrichment activities.
• Participates in ongoing meetings, conferences and training as required.
• Interacts and communicates with Rising Ground staff regarding the needs of the persons supported and the program.
• Provides safe transportation for persons supported and accompanies them to appointments (including school, medical appointments, and off‑site family visits).
• Attends mandatory training required by ACS, OCFS and the Agency.
• Adheres to all ACS, OCFS and agency regulations.
• Upholds rules and uses approved restraint techniques and crisis management as necessary.
• Manages the peer group, understands peer dynamics, and promotes a positive peer group culture.
• Supports medical issues, student educational needs, casework, clinical appointments, and monitors residents in Family Court as needed.
• Completes log reports, behavior assessment reports, documentation and incident reporting.
• Informs the Case Planner and supervisors of issues related to youth or families as they become aware of them.
• Ability to work varied hours and days of the week.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications

• High school Diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with youth, especially in a residential setting.
• College preferred.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License required.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility: No

Work Environment: Work locations are at an assigned juvenile justice facility throughout the five boroughs.

Travel (if required): None – program travel is only during program hours.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a 40‑hour nonexempt position. Mandatory overtime is expected based on program needs on various shifts. This is not a work from home position. Staff are paid for 8 hours straight time and eat with residents during meals. Travel (if required): None – program travel is only during program hours.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform standard administrative and support tasks including climbing stairs, operating computers/phones/fax/printer, and lifting up to 30 lbs. Must be able to travel between Rising Ground sites. Ability to perform physical restraint of youth using approved techniques. Physical clearances are required and reevaluated annually.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.