Sociotherapist

Children's Aid Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Aid Society seeks a Sociotherapist to work with foster parents and youth in the Enhanced Family Foster Care program to support stable placements and progress toward case objectives. The role integrates counseling, crisis intervention, and collaboration with treatment teams.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree, NYS driver's license, and ideally bilingual English/Spanish. We value mission alignment, equity, and compassionate family support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Social Work preferred.
• NYS Driver's License required.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide Behavior Modification Training and Supportive Counseling to foster parents.
• Attend Treatment Team Conferences and Family Team Meetings regarding youth needs.
• Monitor family visits and assist with transportation of youth.
• Facilitate youth permanency goals attainment.
• Maintain daily progress notes and other written materials.
• Conduct weekly home visits and provide crisis intervention.
• Share rotating 24-hour on-call responsibility.
• Participate in supervision, in-service training, and team meetings.

Skills

Foster Care/Adoption knowledge

Oral communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Computer literacy

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Job description

Hourly Range: $27.47 - $30.22

The Sociotherapist (ST) is in the foster home on a weekly basis to work with the foster parent and the youth. The goal of the ST is to ensure that placements are stable and that the young person and their foster parent are able to work together towards case objectives. The incumbent will understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with the functions of the position.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work as a member of a team in the innovative Enhanced Family Foster Care program.
• Responsible for providing Behavior Modification Training and Supportive Counseling to foster parents caring for youth with special needs.
• Attend Treatment Team Conferences and Family Team Meetings regarding youth's needs and services.
• Assist with monitoring family visits and assisting with the transportation of youth.
• Facilitate and Support Youth's attainment of Permanency Goals.
• Maintain daily progress notes and other written materials.
• Conduct weekly home visits.
• Provide counseling and mediation to youth and foster parents.
• Provide crisis intervention services.
• Share rotating 24-hour on-call responsibility.
• Participate in supervision, in-service training, and team meetings.
• Recertification, Erates, SPR letters.
• Assisting with modeling visits and training of New Socio-Therapist.
• ICPC Liaison for the Manhattan site.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; preferably in social work or a related field.
• NYS Valid Driver's License.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teens or children with special needs.
• Knowledge of the Foster Care/Adoption field. Excellent oral, writing, and organizational skills.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Basic computer literacy.
• Experience in working with a team.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Behaviors

• Team Player - Works well as a member of a group
• Detail Oriented - Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated - Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Ability to Make an Impact - Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Bachelors of Social Work (required)

Experience

• Knowledge of the Foster Care/Adoption field. Excellent oral, writing, and organizational skills. (preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teens or children with special needs. (preferred)

Skills

• Bilingual (English + Spanish) (preferred)

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.