Direct Care Counselor

About Walker

Since 1961, Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs has been a trusted partner for children, youth, and families, navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges. Based in Needham, our mission is to nurture hope, build strengths, and develop lifelong skills in partnership with the children, youth, families, and communities we serve. We provide comprehensive, trauma-informed residential, educational, and clinical services to children and youth with complex social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, while supporting their families every step of the way. Through three specialized divisions—Residential & Educational Programs, Behavioral Health & Community-Based Services, and Walker Solutions—we deliver relationship-based care and capacity-building that makes a lasting difference. Today, we serve children, youth, and families from more than 150 communities across Massachusetts.

Make a Difference Every Day—and Gain Skills You Can Use for Life

As a Direct Care Counselor at Walker, you'll work directly with children and youth who are navigating social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in a 24/7 environment. You'll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team that helps youth feel safe, connected, and ready to grow. As your career continues to grow in the human services field, this is a chance to build valuable experience while making a real impact. 

Uunder the guidance of the assigned unit supervisor, direct care counselors are responsible for providing a therapeutic milieu for clients within the CBAT Program. This includes close supervision of all youth, basic caretaking functions, supporting youth through a daily schedule of activities, and crisis management as needed.

Essential Functions

• Perform in a way that is aligned with the agency mission and core values. This includes but is not limited to services that are trauma informed, relationship based, family involved, developmentally focused, competence centered, and ecologically oriented.   
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support the emotional, behavioral, and educational development of youth. 
• Implement treatment protocols established in youth’s treatment plans and individual support plans. 
• Supervise youth at all times and plan and implement engaging social and recreational activities for each shift. 
• Assist with daily living activities and help youth develop age-appropriate life skills. 
• Respond to youths’ challenges with crisis intervention techniques consistent with Walker’s training. 
• Participate actively in supervision and remain receptive to feedback and professional development. 
• Maintain proper documentation of all care and treatment provided and incidents that occur, and complete oral and written reports including milieu summaries for discharges accurately and on time. 
• Maintain residential spaces in accordance with licensing standards. 
• Attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings, and treatment meetings as needed, to discuss youth’s progress.   
• Collaborate with staff and supervisors across shifts and campus programs to ensure smooth operations and consistent treatment of youth. 
• Participate in all required trainings and professional development opportunities as they arise. 
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to successfully pass and apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training
• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid/CPR training
• Must successfully complete and pass medication training
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and make safe decisions in high-pressure situations
• Capacity to work effectively in a stressful and fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn, retain, and apply principles taught in training and supervision
• Physical stamina to participate in activities with children
• Ability to stand, walk, and run for extended periods, perform frequent bending, stooping, stretching, lifting, sitting, stairs, typing, and looking at a computer screen
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and computer experience is required
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a team, including during times of high stress
• Ability to transport clients in company vehicles

Schedule:

• Variable Schedules
  • Sunday-Wednesday
  • Wednesday-Saturday 

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

Required:

• High School diploma or GED required

Preferred: 

• Associate degree or higher

Experience

Preferred:

• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting. 

Other Requirements: 

• Successfully complete all background check suitability requirements
• Must have reliable transportation 
• Valid MA driver’s license preferred

Supervision:

Reports to: Unit Supervisor

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, national guard or reserve unit obligations, participation in discrimination complaint-related activities, or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.

Qualifications 

Education 

• High School diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree preferred 

Required

• Ability to pass criminal background check  

• Reliable transportation 

Preferred 

• Previous experience working in a similar setting preferred 

Schedule Options 

We offer flexible scheduling with 4-day work week options: 

• Second Shift: Sunday-Wednesday 

• Second Shift: Wednesday-Saturday 

• Overnight: Weekend (Friday – Monday) 

• Overnight: Weeknight (Monday – Thursday) 

• Bi-weekly rotating schedules 

• Other flexibility considered based on program needs 

Benefits 

Walker offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including: 

Health and Wellness 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for individuals and families 

• Generous paid time off (vacation and sick time)

• 11 paid holidays (shift differential if scheduled to work)

• Paid parental leave 

• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent) 

• Employee Assistance Program and Emergency Travel Assistance (mental health, financial, legal, relocation services, and more) 

• Wellness resources (Calm App, flexible fitness reimbursements, pet insurance) 

Financial Wellbeing 

• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match 

• 100% employer-paid life and disability insurance 

• Employee referral bonuses 

• Premium shift differential for overnight shifts ($1–$2/hour) 

• Premium shift differential for staff scheduled to work on the 11 agency holidays 

• Discounts on auto insurance 

• Access to Metro Credit Union banking and resources 

• Free parking 

Professional Growth and Community 

• Walker Academy: 2-week onboarding and training program 

• Regular supervision and career planning opportunities 

• Free TCI and CPR/First Aid certifications and renewals 

• Access to 1,000 online human services courses with CEU credit 

• Tuition reimbursement and remission (up to $1,500 annually each) 

• Recognition for years of service and monthly community events 

• External learning opportunities (conferences, workshops) 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, national guard or reserve unit obligations, participation in discrimination complaint-related activities, or membership in any category protected by federal or state law. 

Salary : $21 - $22