Youth Support Counselor II

LOCATION: Brentwood, NY

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

DEPARTMENT: L.I. Residential

SCHEDULE: Full-Time / Onsite

$1,000 Hiring Incentive

Agency Background

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures, and develop their full potential.

Program Background

The children in these specialized group homes are boys who have experienced serious trauma, often including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment. With only a few children in our group home, we can give individual attention and focus on providing a wide array of intense services, clinical therapies including art therapy, and appropriate reaction opportunities in a home-like setting where they can thrive. Our goals are to help our children heal from the past while learning the skills needed for their future. Youth Support staff work with our children directly, we provide 24/7 care of the children in this program.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Direct Care Worker II supervises clients, provides a safe and secure environment, and applies Agency approved methods of behavior modification including the point system, verbal de-escalation techniques and physical intervention if needed. Shifts assigned may vary and change according to Agency needs.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 1+ years of experience in residential care with children and/or adolescents. working with children/youth is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license strongly preferred.
• Complete attendance records accurately.
• Manage time effectively.
• Must successfully complete all required training.
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
  
  

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and secure environment for clients.
• Maintain consistent daily routines of the living unit in accordance with Agency policy and treatment plan.
• Supervise clients’ attendance/participation in structured activities (i.e. school, reaction, chores, meals).
• Demonstrate knowledge of human development stages.
• Attendance at and implementing recommendations of treatment team.
• Prepare and monitor YSC I work schedules.
• Implement treatment team recommendations.
• Report behaviors believed to be symptomatic or emotional, physical, or psychological disturbances.
• Document clients’ behaviors and activities.
• Safely transport clients to scheduled appointments, recreation events, home visits and sibling visits, etc.
• Prepare, assist in preparation and/or supervise meals for clients in accordance with dictated menu.
• Observe and document clients’ self-administering medication.
• Assist clients in learning independent living skills (i.e., basic hygiene, dress, cooking).
• Maintain appropriate boundaries.
  
  

Benefits/Perks

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family (fulltime required)
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, 12 paid holidays for fulltime, sick leave based on hours worked)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities
  
  

Salary Rate

$22/hour

Hiring Incentive of $1,000 after 500 worked hours.

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.