Summary

The Senior Counselor is a leadership position within the Community Residence partnering with the Residential Program Manager, Senior Counselors, Social Worker, Case Manager and Nurse. As a collective, the co-leadership team is responsible for the oversight of the health, wellness, and care of youth in the program. Knowledge of childhood trauma and the impacts is paramount. The Senior Counselor works to assure that quality childcare services are delivered within the residential group care facility, according to agency policy and all applicable state, federal, and OMH regulations. This includes development of the childcare staff and ensuring the continuity and quality of service to the residents. The Senior Counselor is responsible for completing the implementation of department goals and programs. Contributes to the Glove House high performance culture by exhibiting our values and providing quality results that keep Glove House as the premier provider of child, family, and behavioral health solutions. The Senior Counselor is directly accountable to the Residential Program Manager.

Primary Job Functions

• Provides the overall oversight to the residential program, supervision of staff in the care of youth in accordance with all Glove House, state, and regulatory requirements.    
• Is guided by organizational values and trauma informed practice in all interactions.
• Treats all children, families, staff and ancillary providers with respect and courtesy.
• Demonstrates and models sensitivity to the cultural background of children, families, and co-workers.
• Assures that job-related activities follow Glove House policies and procedures, OMH, Federal, and State regulations and relevant professional association, ethical standards, accreditation standards, and the law.  
• Requires daily interaction with staff and clients ensuring services are delivered in accordance with the Glove House operating modality (TCI), youth’s treatment plan, calendars and schedules are followed
• Assists in providing staff and resident counseling and support in crisis situations, including post-crisis response. 
• Provide individualized care and supervision of each resident.
• Model positive behaviors and implement core values.
• Assess, instruct, and measure daily and independent living skills.
• Participate in service planning and review process.
• Accompany, supervise, and provide transportation (when necessary) for appointments, home visits, sibling visits and activities.
• Ensure adherence to mediation regimen. 
• Reports incidents, occurrences, or untoward events to the supervisor as soon as they occur and complete appropriate agency paperwork.
• Assists in coaching, training, and evaluation of staff as requested and assigned. 
• Directly supervises and provides coaching of Residential Counselors.
• Ensure all documentation per shift is adequate and completely in a timely fashion.
• Conduct monthly fire drills and complete appropriate paperwork. Ensure that all residents are aware of the fire escape route and staging plan.
• Completes administrative tasks as assigned.  
• Assists in and ensures adequate staff coverage is scheduled for the residential program as assigned, assumes RC responsibilities when no RC coverage is available.  
• Ensure, completes, and maintain client records and program documentation (self, staff, and youth), such as daily activities, treatment plan progress, progress notes and termination summaries, according to Glove House program and regulatory standards. 
• Assures all documentation is completed in a timely fashion (i.e., youth notes, Myevolve)
• Consistently attends staff meetings and provides leadership, agenda and coaching during team/staff meetings. 
• Participate in all Glove House strategic planning goals, including risk management and Quality Assurance plans.
• Responsible to assist in the research and development of best practices and new initiatives to meet the changing needs of children and families in the community. 
• Must maintain timely compliance with all established Glove House standards and provide support documents as necessary (physical/TB, driver license, auto insurance).  
• Contributes to training of Community Residence staff, participates in provision of agency-wide training.
• Is required to safely travel on agency business, as required by job demands. Maintain accurate mileage documentation and submit in required agency timeframes.  
• Consistently attends mandated agency and department meetings and participates on standing agency committees and community committees as assigned.
• Represents Glove House at state and local forums, developing collaborative relations with other stakeholders in the community and promoting the interests of the agency. 
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Residential Program Manager.

Job Qualifications

Education, Licenses and Certifications Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred; unrelated bachelor’s degree required.  

Must have a valid driver’s license and driving record in accordance with agency standards.

Experience 2+ years direct experience working with children and families in residential care, counseling, group care required, supervisory/management experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Handle confidential information appropriately
• Perform at a high level of autonomy, with minimal supervision
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals.  
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Utilizing computer and standard Microsoft Office, learn new computer programming (i.e., Myevolve, Paycom, et al.)
• Work on multiple tasks, while maintaining a high attention to detail, accuracy, and qualit 
• Commit to effectively and efficiently providing high levels of customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results
• Interact effectively with individuals/families from diverse backgrounds.
• Set appropriate limits and boundaries with clients; act decisively to protect clients, when necessary.
• Assess and apply proper intervention strategies.
• Complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Identify and understand environmental stressors.
• Recognize importance of social, economic, environmental factors in the development and resolution of personal/family problems.

Schedule Expectations

The incumbent will work a standard scheduled week, usually will include later afternoon and evening hours, however, flexible hours may include weekends, evenings, and holidays. The ability to work flexible hours is required, as is the ability to provide on-call support when scheduled or to meet business needs. Travel will be as needed, to conduct Glove House business-related activities. Generally, duties of this position require 100% time at work (0% is eligible for work from home).