Youth Counselor- Leave Replacement

Children's Home of Poughkeepsie; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical

Vision

Dental

Life insurance

403(b)

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Great work environment

Job summary

The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie seeks a Youth Counselor to provide direct care, supervision, and support to youth in our Anchor Point Crisis Residence Center. The role focuses on trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and collaboration with clinical and residential teams.

You will implement individualized service plans, facilitate therapeutic activities, and help youth develop coping skills in a safe, structured environment.

Qualifications

• Understanding of trauma-informed care and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of child development principles and their application.
• Ability to work flexible shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Valid driver's license and ability to transport youth if needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision, emotional support, and crisis intervention for youth in residence.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Implement trauma-informed care principles and de-escalation techniques.
• Assist in development and execution of individualized service plans with clinical staff.
• Facilitate structured recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities to promote coping skills.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention techniques

Child development principles

Flexible shifts

Valid driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie has been caring for children throughout the Hudson Valley for over 175 years! We strive to empower children and families to achieve optimal health and well being. We are currently seeking Youth Counselors to work in our Anchor Point Crisis Residence Center Program.

Position Summary:

The Youth Counselor provides direct care, supervision, and support to children and adolescents residing in the agency's Children's Crisis Residence, AnchorPoint. This short-term, therapeutic program serves youth experiencing emotional or behavioral crises, offering stabilization and skill development in a safe, structured, and trauma-informed environment. The Youth Counselor plays a key role in implementing individualized crisis intervention plans, engaging youth in therapeutic activities, and fostering a supportive, nurturing atmosphere to promote emotional regulation and recovery. Youth Counselors will act as a mentor and model appropriate self-regulation skills for the youth.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Fulfill training responsibilities according to Children's Home, NYS Justice Center, and NYS OMH regulations.
2. Is familiar with and adheres to all agency policies and procedures as outlined in the AnchorPoint Policy and Procedure Manual, Employee Handbook and Risk Management Manual.
3. Provide supervision, emotional support, and crisis intervention for youth in residence.
4. Build positive, trusting relationships with children while maintaining professional boundaries.
5. Implement trauma-informed care principles and de-escalation techniques to support youth experiencing distress.
6. Assist in the development and execution of individualized service plans in collaboration with clinical and residential staff.
7. Facilitate structured recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities to promote coping skills and social-emotional development.
8. Ensure a safe, clean, and supportive living environment in compliance with agency policies and regulatory standards.
9. Document observations, incidents, and progress notes in accordance with agency protocols.
10. Collaborate with clinical, medical, and social work teams to support each child's crisis stabilization and transition plan.

Schedules:

Sunday-Thursday 7am-3pm, Friday OFF.

Monday-Friday 6am-2pm, Saturday-Sunday OFF.

***Schedule subject to change with notice***

• The Children's Home offers an outstanding benefit package which includes weekly pay, medical, vision, dental, life insurance, 403(b), tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and a great work environment!
• Paid time off includes 4 weeks of vacation, 3 personal days, 12 holidays and 9 sick days annually.

Qualifications

MINIMUM:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention techniques, and child development principles.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
• Valid driver's license and ability to transport youth, if required.
• Must complete and pass a pre-employment physical, PPD and drug screen and an annual physical and PPD.

PREFERRED:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, child development, or a related field.
• Experience working with children or adolescents in a residential, crisis, or behavioral health setting is strongly preferred.
• Appropriate certifications/licensure

The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Children's Home participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the form I-9.