Youth Care Worker

Cayuga Centers is hiring immediately for a Youth Care Worker in NYC!

Location: New York, NY

Pay: $25.00-$26.00/hourly

Join the nation’s largest foster care program for unaccompanied children and make a difference by supporting them in our Learning Center.
About Cayuga Centers
Cayuga Centers is an accredited non-profit, human services agency dedicated to family support and preservation, trauma-informed care, and serving vulnerable populations with the most unique needs. Founded in 1852 in Auburn, NY, we have a long history of delivering high-quality and innovative services to individuals, children, youth and families. We have 22 offices across 8 states and serve over 17,000 individuals and families annually. Join us!

At Cayuga Centers, we embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do this by taking a firm stance against hatred, inequality, bias, and injustice. We do this by providing our staff with the training, coaching, and resources necessary to grow and serve with cultural humility, acceptance, and understanding. We are responsive to the diverse needs of those we serve and staff, and are committed to ensuring that everyone feels respected, valued, and a sense of belonging.

Cayuga Centers is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee, prospective employee, or applicant based on race, color, creed, hair style/texture, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

About the Program and Position:
Our Transitional Foster Care Program for Unaccompanied Children (UC), overseen by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), ensures the well-being and safety of unaccompanied children (ages 0-17) who cross the US Southern border without an adult. Unlike traditional congregate care settings, our approach involves placing unaccompanied children in foster homes while diligently searching for and assessing potential sponsors identified in the US. During their stay with us, we provide medical care, case management, engaging life skills classes, and essential mental health services.
Youth Care Workers assist the Teacher and/or individual student with daily instructional and non-instructional activities, student management and meal support, lifting, and individualized care as necessary.
How you get to use your skills…

• Maintain a safe, positive classroom environment consistent with Cayuga Centers' internal policy and protocol.
• Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care, including Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and individualized support services.
• Collaborate with Teachers, Clinicians, Case Managers, and other staff to ensure quality care that is tailored to each child’s individual needs.
• Provide support to Teachers and substitute Teachers to conduct lesson plans when needed.
• Understands and is aware of the physical and emotional needs of students.
• Responsible for uploading educational progress reports for each child in care, along with other documentation.
• Facilitate daily morning arrivals and dismissals.
• Provide instruction for Physical Education.
• Contribute to curriculum implementation, special support services, field trip planning, community outreach, and other Learning Center team projects.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings and regular supervision.
• Actively participate and/or complete all professional development requirements, including training, readings, and pertinent certifications.
• Assists students with classroom assignments.
• Assist with lunch and snacks for children.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Attributes:

• High School Diploma/GED required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Bilingual (Fluency in both English and Spanish or Haitian Creole required).
• Classroom experience required, background in Special Education or ENL strongly preferred.
• Portrays cultural competence and appreciates diversity; experience working with immigrant, LGBTQIA, and non-English speaking populations.
• Knowledge of modern classroom technologies, including computers, tablets, and smartboards.
• Experience in classroom management, student engagement strategies, and classroom intervention strategies for students who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change.
• Must be highly organized and able to work independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with a team
• Strong interest in working with immigrant young persons.
• Demonstrates empathy and high moral character; strong alignment with Cayuga Centers’ mission, values, and competencies.
• Passion and commitment to teaching, working with children, and serving immigrant and refugee children.
• Candidates with experience in Montessori education or GED preparation are strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Stand for several hours to assist with classroom lessons
• Assist in engaging in physically energetic activities
• Complete required deskwork
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Sit and ride in vehicles and public transportation for lengthy periods
• Walk up/down stairs as needed
• Walk to enter/exit the subway station and other public transportation

Schedule:

• Regular work hours can fall between 7:00 am-6:30 pm, Monday-Friday; all full-time employees must complete 40 hours per week on a consistent schedule.
• Must be flexible to meet program needs

Why Cayuga Centers?

• Certified Great Place to Work ®
• Council on Accreditation (COA) Accredited
• Implement best practices and evidence-based interventions
• Committed to employee professional development and advancement
• We embrace change, innovation and opportunities
• Our diverse workforce acts and leads with human sensitivity and respect
• Large and growing national footprint

Benefits:

• 120 hours of vacation time; 12 Sick Days per year
• 10 Holidays, 3 Personal Days, Medical Appointment Time
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Pet and Legal insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• FSA, Transit, and Parking savings accounts
• Supplemental life insurance, critical illness, and enhanced short-term disability benefits
• 401(k) match up to 6%
• Corporate Discounts Program
• Sick Leave Pool
• Identity Protection

Salary : $25 - $26