Residential Counselor - Young Adult Program (Evenings)

HFLW Brand; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Tuition reimbursement

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Job summary

The Home for Little Wanderers is seeking a Residential Counselor in Dorchester, MA to provide a safe and supportive environment for youth in our trauma-informed care program. You will counsel, supervise daily living activities, and help youth transition toward stable, healthy futures within our residential and community-based services.

Responsibilities include behavior support, documentation, teamwork with staff, and participation in trainings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with youth in a similar setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe and secure environment for clients.
• Counsel, observe, and provide behavioral training and support to youth and families.
• Implement trauma-informed care principles in daily care and supervision.
• Coordinate medical and emergency situations with the supervisor.
• Complete all required paperwork, including timesheets and incident reporting.
• Participate in supervision meetings and trainings.

Skills

Verbal de-escalation

Observation

Documentation

First Aid

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Category: Residential Programs

Requisition Number: OVERN007315

• Posted : July 16, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Dorchester 6
84 Codman Hill Ave
Dorchester Center, MA 02124, USA

When you join The Home for Little Wanderers, you join a team of professionals dedicated to creating better, brighter futures for kids.

For over 200 years, The Home for Little Wanderers has helped build stable lives and hopeful tomorrows for vulnerable children and their families. Our 25+ community-based and residential programs serve thousands of at‑risk youths from birth to age 26. Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or a disrupted family life. As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we provide them with safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and a secure path toward a better, brighter future.

Join a dynamic team of professionals implementing our trauma‑informed care model. Support youth in developing the skills they need to successfully transition home to families.

Under the direction of supervisor, the Residential Counselor is primarily responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for clients. The Residential Counselor is expected to be knowledgeable of the program’s mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their direct care and supervision of clients.

In this position, the Residential Counselor will counsel, observe, and provide behavioral training, outreach support, advocacy and treatment to children and their families to facilitate reunification and/or long‑term out of home placement. Additional case management duties include ensuring that the individuals served are supported to lead emotionally and physically healthy lifestyles in preparation for long‑term placement. This may include, but is not limited to, exercise and nutrition training, community integration, psycho‑educational therapeutic counseling, human rights advocacy, medical advocacy, medication administration, social and life‑skills training, as well as educational and life planning.

Position Description

Under the direction of the supervisor, the Residential Counselor is primarily responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for clients. The Residential Counselor is expected to be knowledgeable of the program’s mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their direct care and supervision of clients.

How You’ll Be Making a Difference

• Knowledge and application of program routines/structure. Maintain a general understanding of the population of clients with whom we work
• Foster healthy, appropriate relationships with our clients through daily interactions
• Develop an understanding of level system (cards, behavior contracts, etc.)
• Supervise and coordinate activities of daily living for students, including hygiene, clothing, chores, and other activities. Assist children with the transition from each scheduled activity.
• Provide First Aid appropriately as needed
• May plan and participate in activities with clients/students on an individual and small group (less than 6) level in accordance with treatment plans and goals. Teach age‑appropriate life skills and social skills through modeling, counseling, and other techniques. Participate in groups and activities designed to enhance growth and development.
• Participate in off‑campus recreational/educational activities
• Maintain a safe and supportive environment. Manage living, dining, educational, recreational areas to provide a clean, organized environment for students. Insure adequate supervision of students through coordination of care with other staff.
• Provide group and individual behavior support and intervention as trained, including the use of TCI appropriate physical restraint as necessary. Coordinate medical and emergency situations with the supervisor.
• Communicate through written and verbal means with other program staff on positive skills and accomplishments as well as difficult or challenging client issues
• Complete all assigned paperwork including timesheet, level card, goal/level tracking, incident reporting, and 51A’s in a thorough and timely manner
• Attend trainings
• Participate in supervision meetings with supervisor
• May be asked to prepare weekend meals
• May be required to carry a mobile device
• Perform other duties as assigned

What to Expect in the Role

• Passing the DEEC CORI/DCF background check and having a valid ID
• Being physically active for an 8‑10 hour shift
• Participating in verbal de‑escalation and physical intervention with youth
• Multi‑tasking in a changing and fast‑paced treatment environment
• Receiving and implementing feedback in the moment and through a structured supervision process
• Ability to work evenings, holidays, weekend shifts as required

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Experience working with youth in a similar setting preferred

What The Home Can Offer You

In addition to the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve, The Home for Little Wanderers offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous time off including up to 15 days per year for new full‑time employees, plus 11 holidays, and 5 sick days
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance available
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per fiscal year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employer paid Long‑term and Short‑term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• And more!

The pay range listed represents the company’s good faith estimate of the salary or wage range for this position at the time of posting, as required under applicable law. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including a candidate’s relevant experience, education, skills, and internal equity relative to other employees in similar roles. Candidates with less directly related experience may be placed toward the lower end of the range, while those with extensive or specialized experience may be placed toward the higher end. Market conditions and budget considerations may also influence final pay decisions.

We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.