The Residential Counselor provides support, counseling, training and advocacy to residents in the Teen Parenting Programs. The Teen Parent Programs provide transitional living in a supportive environment for low-income and often homeless mothers and their young children. The Residential Counselor provides a safe and nurturing environment that will assist residents in acquiring the skills necessary to manage life successfully when they leave.

Teen Parent Program staff show positive role modeling to all residents to encourage a better environment. The Residential Counselor participates in some or all stages of the treatment process, by implementing interventions that assure resident goals are met.

This is a relief position.

Who are we?

Ascentria Care Alliance is a nonprofit organization that has spent the past 150 years helping people in need. We empower people of all backgrounds to rise together and reach beyond life’s challenges by building stronger communities and helping people move forward together.

 Essential Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrates an understanding of the developmental needs of the population as well as the associated environmental and mental health factors that contribute to challenges that clients face

• Models, reinforces, re-directs and sets limits to trauma related behavior through specific behavior management techniques to ensure that program guidelines are followed at all times.
• Ensures that residents maintain appropriate hygiene and appearance.
• Coaches and assists residents with daily routines and responsibilities, including completion of chores, schoolwork, meal preparation, clean up, activities, hygiene, laundry and recreational activities.
• Monitor residents to ensure a safe, secure and healthy environment free from disruptive and inappropriate behavior
• Complete documentation including incident reports and progress notes and maintain them at all times in accordance with contractual standards, policy and procedure, including activities logs, incident reports, treatment plans, etc.
• Provides counseling to residents regarding ADL’s and facilitates the adjustment to living circumstances, including explaining program rules and expectations of new residents.
• Demonstrate de-escalation skills and handle crisis in a manner which minimizes disruption and assures safety; interventions must be proactive and placement disruptions should be kept to a minimum.
• Responsible for completing all mandatory training on a timely basis.
• Job must be conducted at all times tin a way that demonstrates professionalism, respects the rights, privacy and dignity of the client and adheres to all contractual regulations.
• Assurance that the environment promotes opportunities and services to individuals to reach independent goals
• Ability to work within a team environment that assures safety, treatment goals and services are consistent with client interests and program expectations
• Attendance and active participation in regular staff meetings
• Active support and follow through with team goals and team building
• Light household responsibilities to maintain program cleanliness
• Ability to set limits and be consistent
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associates Degree in Human Services or related preferred. 
• Minimum of one (1) year of related experience working with women, adolescents and/or children in a residential, community setting.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance to transport residents and children in Ascentria vehicles.
• Ability to be certified in First Aid, CPR, and Crises Intervention within 90 days of date of hire required. 
• Must be 21 years of age per contractual standards.
• Ability to handle people and situations with compassion, diplomacy and tact
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, protocols and/or procedures preferred.

Company Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• FSA and dependent care account
• 3 Weeks PTO and 9 Holidays!
• Tuition Assistance
• And many more!

Ascentria Care Alliance celebrates diversity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with federal and state employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or any other legally-protected category. Candidates who identify as BIPOC, multilingual or have lived experience with immigration or human services