RTC - Per Diem Child Care Counselor

Per Diem Child Care Counselor

About Rising Ground

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City.

About the Role 

The Child Care Counselor provides direct care and support to children and adolescents in the residential treatment center setting. The role involves helping clients address emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges while fostering a safe, nurturing environment. The counselor works closely with a multidisciplinary team to implement treatment plans, monitor progress, and support the overall therapeutic goals of the center.

What You’ll Do

1. Key Responsibilities: 
   • Provide direct care and supervision to children and adolescents in a residential setting, ensuring their safety, well-being, and emotional needs are met.
   • Actively and diligently supervise youth at all times; both in the cottage, and when escorting youth on campus or during off-ground programming. 
   • Utilize the appropriate techniques of behavior management and crisis intervention, using TCI and other agency provided trainings.
   • Remain sensitive and understanding in difficult and stressful situations; keeping the youth’s needs and feelings in perspective.
   • Support individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clinical staff, helping to achieve therapeutic goals.
   • Assist clients with daily living skills, emotional regulation, and behavior management in both group and one-on-one settings.
   • Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of client progress, incidents, and treatment plan goals. Perform Life Space Interviews as trained. (e.g., incident reports, statements, goal tracking, etc.) 
   • Foster a positive, structured, and supportive environment for clients, encouraging healthy coping mechanisms and emotional growth.
   • Communicate effectively with staff, team members and other professionals to ensure a cohesive and holistic approach to client care.
   • Participate in team meetings and provide feedback regarding client behavior, progress, and any adjustments needed in treatment plans.
   • Model appropriate behavior and social skills for clients, offering guidance and mentorship when needed.
   • Support crisis intervention efforts and manage emergency situations when necessary, following established protocols.
   • Access /communicate with other team members (i.e., medical and clinical) as necessary to ensure the health and safety of residents.
   • Maintain / inspect the cottage to ensure no health or safety hazards exist.  Remove or report concerns as necessary.
   • Report any observed violations of code of conduct to supervisor immediately (i.e, inappropriate sexual behaviors or physical aggression between co-workers and youth). Provide written documentation if requested.

1. Bus Monitoring
   • Staff are required to serve as bus monitors for young people being transported to and from school or other designated locations. This includes ensuring the safety and well-being of the youth while on the bus, monitoring behavior, and ensuring compliance with all transportation and safety guidelines. 
   • Staff are expected to address any behavioral issues or concerns during the transport and report any incidents or concerns to the appropriate team members.
   • Staff are required to follow the supervision protocol while in transit and complete any necessary documentation once arriving back to the campus. 
2. Program Delivery:
   • Supervise, assist, and teach residents to perform all activities of daily living, including self-care, chores, etc. 
   • Initiate, support and escort residents to planned recreation and other therapeutic educational activities. Look for ways to improve the daily structure, coordination, and overall program implementation.  This includes driving an agency vehicle if deemed certified, as needed/expected.
   • Implement PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) System fully and in accordance with training. At all times model the core values of ROAR (respect, on task, act safely and be responsible) and frame corrections of student behaviors in a positive way.

Your Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Valid Driver's license with a safe driving record as determined by NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
• At least 3 years of working in a Residential Treatment Center 
• Experience working with children or adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or developmental disabilities in a residential, educational, or therapeutic setting.
• Strong understanding of state and federal regulations governing residential treatment programs and special education services.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, school personnel, and external agencies.
• Ability to manage complex cases, implement treatment plans, and provide crisis intervention when necessary.
• Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and therapeutic environment for all students.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility

Yes/No

Work Environment:

This position is based out of our Yonkers Residential Treatment Center location for adolescents ages 12-21. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: 
 This is Per Diem opportunity, in a 24/7 residential program. Staff may be required to remain on shift if there is no immediate staff relief available, ensuring continuity of care and maintaining a safe, supportive environment for youth at all times. 

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)

Professional Practice

• Arrive at work on time, respecting other shift workers and programmatic needs.
• At all times, model the appropriate dress, speech and behavior for residents.  This includes dressing professionally or in designated work uniforms/dress code if prescribed.
• Professionally representing the agency when speaking with parents, community members or other stakeholders.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with adolescents and staff; Respond to all requests in a professional and courteous manner.
• Respect the privacy of all individuals and maintain client confidentiality as prescribed by law and in Agency policies.
• Assume the expected role on the treatment team and maintain collaborative relations with members.
• Maintain and promote a cooperative, harmonious, teamwork environment within the workplace. Maintain and promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the philosophy and policies of Rising Ground.  
• Become knowledgeable of all RTC policies and procedures; modeling, training and actively supervising the use of each.
• Attend all mandatory or recommended staff development workshops/trainings.
• Show organizational commitment which includes understanding and actively supporting the mission, policies and procedures protecting the integrity of the Agency. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Fairness, and Belonging

Rising Ground is comprised of unique and valued individuals who together make the organization effective in assisting the children, adults and families who come to us for support. We believe that only when all employees contribute fully as their true selves can Rising Ground's true strength, vision, and values come to fruition. We recognize the ubiquitous social biases and structures that impact and shape the experiences of all people, including our own staff and people supported. Among the many biases present in our society that shape our personal and professional experiences race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender expression are all factors that can present hurdles. As such, Rising Ground is committed to being an anti-racist and inclusive organization that will actively strive to overcome both systemic and interpersonal biases that perpetuate oppression.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all 

employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s 

perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, gender 

identity, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or 

veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, 

compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.