Youth Development Counselor (Sharpe House)

Good Shepherd Services•Bronx, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Development Counselor works in a residential program at Sharpe House, providing direct supervision and care for youth while meeting their basic needs and ensuring their physical and emotional safety. The role includes maintaining residents’ whereabouts, behavior, routines, security, and the cleanliness of the residence. Counselors provide individual and group counseling, support youth and families when appropriate, coordinate court-ordered visits, and help plan and deliver educational, recreational, and personal enrichment activities. The position also involves maintaining program records and reports, communicating with agency staff, supervising supplies and equipment, and providing safe transportation for residents to court-ordered appointments. Counselors attend required training and follow DYFJ and OCFS regulations. They apply the Sanctuary Model’s tools, commitments, and SELF framework to support a non-violent, trauma-sensitive culture. This is an on-site role requiring a commitment to day, evening, and/or overnight shifts, including weekends.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid New York State driver’s license.
Successfully complete all components of required physical intervention training.
Successfully complete a pre-hire physical ability test.
Ability to perform physical restraint of youth using approved restraint procedures.
Ability to sustain physical exertion and perform necessary physical intervention activities, including standing, twisting, turning, kneeling, and supporting a participant’s body weight, without limitations.
Commitment to working from a strengths-based, youth development, and trauma-informed perspective.
Successfully complete state-mandated crisis intervention training within two months of hire.

Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision and remain accountable for residents’ whereabouts at all times.
Manage residents’ behavior and maintain order.
Implement daily living routines, schedules, and procedures.
Ensure residents’ safety, maintain security, and uphold cleanliness standards throughout the residence.
Provide individual and group counseling and, when appropriate, work with residents’ families and participate in youth and family development.
Coordinate court-ordered visits, including supervised home visits, day passes, and facility visits, subject to suspension when the facility is used as a quarantine house.
Maintain records, logs, and reports, and comply with documentation requirements.
Participate in planning and carrying out educational, recreational, and personal enrichment activities.
Ensure proper care and supervision of supplies and agency equipment.
Participate in ongoing meetings, conferences, and training programs.
Communicate with Good Shepherd staff regarding residents’ needs and program matters.
Provide safe transportation for residents to court-ordered appointments, except when the facility is used as a quarantine house.
Attend all mandatory training required by DYFJ and GSS.
Adhere to DYFJ and OCFS regulations.
Use Sanctuary Model tools, including safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences or similar processes, and self-care practices.
Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments.
Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice.
Perform other duties as assigned.