Youth Counselor (Justice for Youth & Families)

About the Role

The Youth Counselor will be primarily responsible for building healthy relationships with each person supported and providing adequate care, safety, custody, control, and counseling with the aim of allowing the youth to become a productive member of society.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and is accountable for the whereabouts of persons supported at all times.
• LSP only: Utilize mechanical restraints to transport youth between sectors of the home.
• Works closely with representatives from the Department of Education to ensure safety during educational enrichment.
• Intervenes during emergencies or altercations to ensure the safety of all youth.
• Manages persons supported behavior utilizing the principles of the MYSI Model with the goal of teaching young people to make positive, lasting changes in their behavior.
• Implements daily living routines, schedules, and procedures.
• Assures the safety of the persons supported and maintains security.
• Ensures high standards of sanitary conditions throughout the house, including heavy cleaning and laundry.
• Participates in the planning and execution of educational, recreational, and personal enrichment activities.
• Participates in ongoing meetings, conferences, and training programs as required.
• Interacts and communicates with Rising Ground staff on matters related to the needs of the residents and the program.
• Attends all mandatory training required by ACS, OCFS, and the Agency.
• Upholds rules, repertoire of responses, confrontation techniques, application of the restriction system, negotiating restrictions, Force Fields, and utilization of Safe Crisis Management techniques when necessary.
• Manages the peer group, understands peer group dynamics, and promotes and maintains a positive peer group culture.
• Provides attention to and support for medical issues, student educational needs, casework, clinical appointments, etc.
• Monitors persons supported in Family Court.
• Completes log reports, behavior assessment reports, and submits documentation, including incident reports.
• Informs the Case Planner and supervisors of any issues related to the youth or their families as they become aware of such information.
• Ability to work various hours and days of the week.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma + 3 Years of Direct Services in Mental Health or Juvenile Justice Programming
• Associate’s Degree + 2 Years of Direct Services in Mental Health or Juvenile Justice Programming
• Bachelor’s Degree + 1 Year of Direct Services in Mental Health or Juvenile Justice Programming
• Valid NYS Driver’s License required.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to maintain required documentation.
• Commitment to work from a strength-based, youth development, and trauma-informed perspective.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Rising Ground.
• Ability to pass required Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and recertify annually.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required).

Work Environment: Work locations are at assigned juvenile justice facilities throughout the five boroughs.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a 40-hour nonexempt position. Mandatory overtime is expected based on program needs across various shifts. This is not a work-from-home position. Staff are paid for 8 hours straight time and are expected to eat with residents during mealtimes.

Travel: Program travel occurs only during program hours.

Physical Requirements: Ability to complete standard administrative tasks, climb stairs, operate office equipment, lift up to 30lbs, travel between sites, and perform physical restraint using approved techniques. Physical clearances are required annually.

Supervisory Responsibility: No