Youth Support Counselor

LOCATION: S. Ozone Park, Queens, NYREPORTS TO: Program ManagerDEPARTMENT: NYC Residential Programs MotherChildSCHEDULE: Full Time Onsite$1,000 Hiring IncentiveAGENCY 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 MercyHermanas 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 youth in our Prenatal, Postnatal and Parenting group home (called Manning House) are girls, ages 13-19 who are in the foster care system and are pregnant or have recently given birth. With only three teen mothers in a group home, we provide each mom with a calm and nurturing environment, an individualized treatment plan to meet their specific medical and emotional needs and opportunities to plan for and learn needed skills for the role as mother for their babies.POSITION SUMMARY:The Youth Support Counselor is responsible for supervising and providing emotional support to our teen mothers and their babiestoddlers. After completing extensive training, you will be able to utilize a strengths-based, trauma informed approach to working with our teen mothers and help them learn good parenting skills. This position reports to the Program Manager with additional support from the treatment team and Program Director.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:High School Diploma or equivalent1 year of related experience working with childrenyouth is preferredPrior experience with babies and toddlers strongly preferredAbility to accurately document children's activitiesValid driver's license strongly preferredAbility and willingness to work varied shifts including evenings and weekendsMust successfully complete all required trainingUnderstanding and willingness to commit to the agency's Mission, core values and Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Belonging (DEIB).RESPONSIBILITIES:Maintain a safe and secure environment for our youth and babiestoddlersMaintain consistent daily routines of the living unit in accordance with Agency policy and treatment planSupervise clients' attendanceparticipation at structured activities (i.e., school, reaction, chores, meals)Implement treatment team recommendationsReport behaviors believed to be symptomatic or emotional, physical, or psychological disturbancesDocument clients' behaviors and activitiesSafely transport clients to scheduled appointments, recreation events, etc.Assist children in learning independent living skills (i.e., basic hygiene, dress, cooking)Assist youth in completing homework assignments and learning parenting skillsBENEFITSPERKS:•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 activitiesHourly Rate:$20hourHiring Incentive of $1,000 after 500 worked hoursMercyFirst 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 andor 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, andor city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.

Created: 2025-02-14