Youth Support Counselor, Start With Hope

LOCATION:Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO:Program Manager

DEPARTMENT:START with Hope

SCHEDULE:Full Time / Onsite

$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 children in our START with Hope program are in the U.S. as children whose parents/guardians are not physically with them. Many of our children have fled dangerous and violent situations in their own home countries, including but not limited to Central and South America. Most of our children have suffered devastating losses through trauma, violence, abandonment, poverty, substance abuses, or abuse. The children’s safety, nutritional, medical, emotional health and education are our top priorities.

Position Summary

The Youth Support Counselor is responsible for supervising and providing emotional support to our START with Hope children. After completing extensive training, you will be able to utilize a strengths-based, trauma informed approach to working with our children. This position reports to the Program Manager with further support from the treatment team and Program Director.

Required Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

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

Benefits/Perks

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

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.