Youth Support Counselor Jobs

LOCATION:Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO:Program Manager

DEPARTMENT:RISE Program

SCHEDULE:Full Time / In Office

$1,500 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 RISE program (stands for Resilient Individuals Striving for Excellence) serves boys and girls, ages 16-18. This program provides comprehensive intervention and treatments to young people designed to help them change behaviors and prevent involvement in the criminal justice system.These youth haveexperienced serious trauma, often including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment. In our RISE program can give each youth individual attention and focus on providing a wide array of services, clinical therapies including art therapy and appropriate recreation and vocational opportunities all in a setting where they can thrive. Our goal is to help our children heal from the past while learning the skills needed for their future.

Summary

The Youth Support Counselor is responsible for supervising and providing emotional support to our youth. After completing extensive training, you will be able to utilize a strengths-based, trauma informed approach to working with our children. Every shift worked in this program is eligible for an additional $2/hour incentive on top of your base pay. This position reports to the Program Manager with further support from the treatment team and Program Director.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must successfully complete all required training
• Ability to accurately document children’s activities
• Valid driver’s license strongly preferred
• 1 year of related experience working with children/youth is preferred
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts including evenings and weekends
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).

Responsibilities

• Document clients’ behaviors and activities
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for our youth
• Assist children in learning independent living skills (i.e., basic hygiene, dress, cooking)
• Maintain consistent daily routines of the living unit in accordance with Agency policy and treatment plan
• Implement treatment team recommendations
• Supervise clients’ attendance/participation at structured activities (i.e., school, reaction, chores, meals)
• Safely transport clients to scheduled appointments, recreation events, etc.
• Report behaviors believed to be symptomatic or emotional, physical, or psychological disturbances
• Assist youth in completing homework assignments

Benefits/Perks

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

Salary Range

$18/hour - $20/hour

Hiring Incentive of $1,500 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.