Summer Congregate Residential Counselor-FT Temp

The Home for Little Wanderers; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Home for Little Wanderers is seeking a Residential Counselor to provide a safe, nurturing environment for children and youth in our programs. You will implement trauma-informed care, supervise residents, and support treatment plans under supervisor guidance.

Responsibilities include counseling, behavioral support, activity supervision, and coordination of daily living activities, with a focus on reunification or long-term placement planning.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year plus childcare experience in a residential setting.
• Computer literate, with ability to learn new software applications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and secure environment for clients.
• Foster healthy, appropriate relationships with clients through daily interactions.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of daily living for students, including hygiene, clothing, chores, and transitions between activities.
• Provide First Aid as needed.
• Offer group and individual behavior support and interventions as trained, including TCIs if necessary.

Skills

Childcare experience

Basic computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Internet Explorer

Job description

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. To learn more about the incredible impact our employees have on the lives of children and families, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXedSArtYbg

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, 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 supervisor, 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 in a thorough and timely manner
• Participate in supervision meetings with supervisor

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One year plus childcare experience in a residential setting with similar population of children
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications

Pay Range Positioning Summary

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.

Valuing Diversity

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.