Therapeutic Support Staff

St Catherine s Center for Children•Albany, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Therapeutic Support Staff supports students who are temporarily unable to function in their classroom program. The role uses crisis de-escalation techniques and positive relationships with students to help them return to baseline, resolve concerns, and develop a plan to return to academic programming and succeed in the school environment. The position works under the supervision of the Supervisor of Behavior Supports and cooperates with program staff to support students at R&E May School. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; flexibility may be needed. Local travel is required. The role is full-time and non-exempt, with an hourly pay range of $21.54 to $25.14. A current, clean New York State driver’s license held for at least one year is required. The role’s staff drivers must meet the agency’s insurance requirements, including being at least 21 years old at hire. The position works with students in grades K–6 and collaborates with teachers, assistants, administrators, and the Behavior/Therapeutic Support Team. It requires appropriate, individualized crisis response; documentation and reporting; support for students’ emotional, coping, problem-solving, and prosocial skills; and implementation of students’ crisis, education, and behavior plans. TCI certification must be earned upon hire and maintained. Passing pre-employment background checks, including fingerprinting, is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency is required.
A current, clean New York State driver’s license, actively held for at least one year, is required; local travel is required.
TCI certification must be earned upon hire and maintained.
Ability to work the stated Monday–Friday schedule, including the longer Wednesday schedule, with flexibility as needed.
Ability to work therapeutically with students at R&E May School and adapt mindset and de-escalation skills to individual encounters with students in grades K–6.
Ability to use developmentally appropriate practices for each student.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel, Google Workspace applications, and secure internet practices.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build working relationships with regulatory bodies.
Self-motivation, engagement, attention to detail, and strong writing skills.
Empathy, kindness, warmth, compassion, and the ability to support children in crisis.
Positivity, flexibility, adaptability, integrity, reliability, and dependability.
Ability to exercise ethical, independent judgment and discretion and maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive data.
Ability to pass pre-employment background checks, including fingerprinting.
Staff in driving positions must meet agency insurance requirements for authorized drivers, including a minimum age of 21 at hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field; relevant professional experience and related life experience may be considered instead of a college degree.
Experience working with children with significant emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal challenges, trauma histories, and mental health diagnoses in a Special Education or Day Treatment program.
Experience using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and responding effectively and therapeutically in crisis situations.

Responsibilities

Use agency-approved techniques, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies, to de-escalate students experiencing crises and support their return to class.
Conduct life space interviews with students when necessary.
Conduct classroom re-entry interviews between students and teachers.
Prepare incident reports and document interventions as needed, including accident, critical incident, and Justice Center reports.
Coordinate with the Behavior/Therapeutic Support Team to prepare and submit all Critical Incident Reports for the day before the end of the shift.
Report on progress from ICSP meetings and attend Tier 2, Universal, and Classroom Meetings.
Build positive relationships with students and staff.
Help students develop emotional coping, problem-solving, and prosocial skills.
Model and coach appropriate de-escalation and processing skills for other employees.
Collaborate with Master Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and other staff to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and supportive student program.
Assist with implementing students’ Individual Crisis Support Plans (ICSPs), Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
Log student data when using Therapeutic Support Spaces.
Work in classrooms as directed by the Supervisor of Behavior Supports, Principal, or other school administrators.
Meet with supervisors to review progress toward professional goals and design and implement treatment strategies for individual students, classes, or the student population.
Attend TCI Train the Trainer, meetings, or other activities as requested, including Med Review, Suspension Re-Entry, and Treatment Plan meetings.
Perform additional position-related duties assigned by the supervisor or director.

Benefits

Agency-contribution pension plan.
403(b) retirement savings plan.
Eligible employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Travel and mileage expense reimbursements for role-related transit.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
$600 annual well-being reimbursement.
Combined Leave Time (CLT) and paid holidays.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Fully covered training updates, including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid.
Tuition assistance and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
Professional development and internal career growth pathways.