Residential Crisis Aide

New Directions Youth & Family Services • City of Lockport, NY

21h • $20 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Crisis Aide supports youth in a therapeutic residential and educational environment by providing supervision, guidance, crisis intervention, and assistance with daily living activities. The role helps maintain a safe, supportive, and structured setting while encouraging positive relationships, emotional regulation, and personal growth. The aide collaborates with residential, educational, and clinical staff to support individualized treatment plans and promote the safety and well-being of youth in care.

New Directions' Residential Services provides structured, therapeutic care for youth experiencing behavioral, emotional, and social challenges. Residential staff provide individualized support, develop skills and family connections, and collaborate with educational and clinical teams to help youth work toward their treatment goals.

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in Lockport, New York. The pay range is $19.50–$20.48 per hour. New Directions offers paid time off, agency holidays, medical, dental, and life insurance, a 401(k) with up to a 3% agency match, and professional development and advancement opportunities. Ongoing training and supervision support skill development in therapeutic crisis intervention, youth development, behavioral support, and trauma-informed care.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to build and maintain positive, respectful, and appropriate relationships with youth and families.
• Ability to support youth experiencing emotional, behavioral, and social challenges.
• Ability to guide youth development, effectively manage residential settings, and participate in individualized treatment planning.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and common sense, maintain professional boundaries, and respond appropriately to challenging situations.
• Ability to work effectively with youth, families, staff, and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including effective communication in person, by telephone, electronically, and through written documentation.
• Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
• Ability to provide effective supervision and maintain a safe, structured residential environment.
• Valid driver's license, adequate auto insurance, and ability to meet New Directions' Driver's License and Auto Insurance policy requirements.
• Ability to pass an annual physical for Category 3 job classification in accordance with New Directions Employee Health policy.
• Ability to comply with agency safety standards and maintain personal responsibility for safe and healthy working conditions.

Nice To Haves

• College degree.
• Previous experience in childcare or working with youth.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and support to youth in residential cottages and educational settings, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Welcome youth entering the program, assist with orientation, and support their adjustment to the residential environment.
• Assist youth with daily routines, including morning preparation, meals, personal care, household responsibilities, and school transitions.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and healthy residential environment by monitoring living spaces and addressing maintenance or safety concerns.
• Support youth in developing independent living skills, personal responsibility, and positive daily habits.
• Supervise youth who are unable to attend school due to illness, as directed by Health Services.
• Implement individualized crisis management plans and therapeutic interventions for youth experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Use de-escalation strategies, sensory supports, and therapeutic approaches to help youth develop emotional regulation skills.
• Participate in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans.
• Observe and communicate changes in youth behavior, emotional well-being, and individual needs to the treatment team.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Supervise youth during transitions between residential cottages, the cafeteria, classrooms, and other educational settings.
• Provide classroom support with teachers and teacher aides to reinforce school expectations and positive behaviors.
• Use the school's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system to recognize and encourage appropriate behavior.
• Participate in Community and Restorative Circles as required.
• Assist with supervision in alternative learning environments and support transitions between school and residential programming.
• Support communication and positive connections between youth and their families or identified resources.
• Assist youth with family contact, including telephone calls, virtual communication, and family visitation.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and coordinate with residential, educational, clinical, and health services staff.
• Communicate relevant information regarding youth needs, progress, and concerns to appropriate team members.
• Administer prescribed medications under Health Services supervision and maintain accurate medication records and required certification.
• Follow Health Services treatment guidelines and individualized care instructions.
• Complete timely and accurate daily documentation, including incident reports, individual logs, communication records, and shift notes.
• Maintain appropriate supervision, security, and fire safety practices in residential and campus settings.
• Fulfill mandated reporting responsibilities in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Maintain Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and First Aid/CPR certifications provided by the agency.
• Attend mandatory in-service training, regular supervision meetings, and other required professional development activities.
• Follow agency policies, procedures, safety standards, and therapeutic practices.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and other departments to support youth and program needs.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the immediate or site supervisor.

Benefits

• 120 hours of paid time off in the first year.
• 13 agency holidays.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) with up to a 3% agency match.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
• Ongoing training, supervision, and opportunities to develop skills in therapeutic crisis intervention, youth development, behavioral support, and trauma-informed care.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED