Floater Youth Counselor
About The Position
The Ali Forney Center (AFC) protects LGBTQ+ youth from homelessness and helps them build the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides housing, healthcare, and educational support to thousands of youth each year. AFC creates an affirming, supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. The Floater Youth Counselor is responsible for filling open schedule needs across AFC programs to support daily operations and provide direct care to residents and clients. Youth Counselors create and supervise a physically and psychologically safe and affirming environment for residents and clients, helping them meet their needs and progress on their goals. Youth Counselors provide individual support and group programming and oversee the functioning of the site. Youth Counselors must be organized, able to work and solve problems independently and communicate effectively with supervisors. Floater Youth Counselors are required to fill open schedules across programs and travel between sites as needed. AFC may cover some travel needs, for example, if needing to travel after the start of a shift.
Requirements
- Experience working with adolescent/young adult population required
- Must be highly organized and able to work independently
- Ability and willingness to work at different sites across NYC
- Ability to remain awake for the entire shift duration
- Ability to walk up at least 3 flights of stairs each hour to complete walk-throughs
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of psychosocial needs of LGBTQ/homeless population is helpful
- Transgender and gender non confirming people are encourage to apply
- Strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and social justice
- Persons with lived experience
Responsibilities
- Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based support to residents
- Build positive, professional relationships with residents while maintaining appropriate boundaries
- Monitor resident safety and well-being throughout each shift
- Assist residents in accessing services and community resources
- Support crisis intervention and de-escalation efforts as needed
- Encourage resident participation in programming and community activities
- Maintain appropriate staff coverage across assigned housing programs
- Conduct room checks, safety rounds, wellness checks and other required program duties
- Assist with resident move ins, move outs and daily program operations
- Ensure compliance with Housing Program policies and procedures
- Maintain clean, safe and welcoming program environments
- Complete timely, accurate and objective documentation
- Document resident interactions, incidents and shift activities in accordance with agency standards
- Review communication logs and program updates at the beginning of each shift
- Communicate pertinent information to oncoming staff and leadership
- Adapt quickly to different housing programs and operational environments
- Follow site-specific procedures while maintaining consistent Standards of Care
- Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams across programs
- Support staffing needs across the Housing Department
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
