Direct Care Counselor

About Walker

Since 1961 Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs has been a trusted partner for children youth and families navigating some of lifes most difficult challenges. Based in Needham our mission is to nurture hope build strengths and develop lifelong skills in partnership with the children youth families and communities we serve. We provide comprehensive trauma-informed residential educational and clinical services to children and youth with complex social-emotional behavioral and learning needs while supporting their families every step of the way. Through three specialized divisionsResidential & Educational Programs Behavioral Health & Community-Based Services and Walker Solutionswe deliver relationship-based care and capacity-building that makes a lasting difference. Today we serve children youth and families from more than 150 communities across Massachusetts.

Make a Difference Every Dayand Gain Skills You Can Use for Life

As aDirect Care Counselorat Walker youll work directly with children and youth who are navigating social emotional and behavioral challenges in a 24/7 environment. Youll be part of a supportive multidisciplinary team that helps youth feel safe connected and ready to grow. As your career continues to grow in the human services field this is a chance to build valuable experience while making a real impact.

Uunder theguidance ofthe assigned unit supervisordirect care counselorsareresponsible forproviding a therapeutic milieufor clients within theCBATProgram. This includes close supervision of all youth basic caretaking functions supporting youth through a daily schedule of activities and crisis management as needed.

Essential Functions

• Perform in a way that isaligned with theagencymission and core values. This includes but is not limited toservices that are traumainformedrelationship based family involved developmentally focused competence centered and ecologicallyoriented.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support the emotional behavioral and educationaldevelopment of youth.
• Implement treatment protocolsestablishedinyouthstreatment plansandindividualsupportplans.
• Supervise youth at all timesand plan and implement engaging social and recreational activities for each shift.
• Assist with daily living activities and help youth developage-appropriatelifeskills.
• Respond toyouthschallenges withcrisis interventiontechniques consistent with Walkers training.
• Participate actively in supervision and remain receptive to feedback and professional development.
• Maintain proper documentation of all care and treatment provided and incidents that occur and complete oral and written reportsincluding milieu summaries for dischargesaccurately and on time.
• Maintain residential spacesin accordance withlicensing standards.
• AttendMulti-DisciplinaryTeammeetingsandtreatment meetingsas neededtodiscussyouthsprogress.
• Collaborate with staff and supervisors across shifts and campus programs to ensure smooth operations and consistent treatment of youth.
• Participate in all requiredtrainingsand professional development opportunities as they arise.
• Additionalduties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to successfully pass and apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training
• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid/CPR training
• Must successfully complete and pass medication training
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and make safe decisions in high-pressure situations
• Capacity to work effectively in a stressful and fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn retain and apply principles taught in training and supervision
• Physical stamina to participate in activities with children
• Ability to stand walk and run for extended periods perform frequent bending stooping stretching lifting sitting stairs typing and looking at a computer screen
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and computer experience is required
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a team including during times of high stress
• Ability to transport clients in company vehicles

Schedule:

• Variable Schedules
  • Sunday-Wednesday
  • Wednesday-Saturday

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

Required:

• High School diploma or GED required

Preferred:

• Associate degree or higher

Experience

Preferred:

• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting.

Other Requirements:

• Successfully complete all background check suitability requirements
• Must have reliable transportation
• Valid MA drivers license preferred

Supervision:

Reports to:Unit Supervisor

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individuals race color religion national origin sex age marital status sexual orientation genetic information disability veteran status pregnancy national guard or reserve unit obligations participation in discrimination complaint-related activities or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.

Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma or GED required; Associates degree preferred

Required

• Ability to pass criminal background check

• Reliable transportation

Preferred

• Previous experience working in a similar setting preferred

Schedule Options

We offer flexible scheduling with 4-day work week options:

• Second Shift: Sunday-Wednesday

• Second Shift: Wednesday-Saturday

• Overnight: Weekend (Friday Monday)

• Overnight: Weeknight (Monday Thursday)

• Bi-weekly rotating schedules

• Other flexibility considered based on program needs

Benefits

Walker offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees including:

Health and Wellness

• Medical dental and vision coverage for individuals and families

• Generous paid time off (vacation and sick time)

• 11 paid holidays (shift differential if scheduledto work)

• Paid parental leave

• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent)

• Employee Assistance Program and Emergency Travel Assistance (mental health financial legal relocation services and more)

• Wellness resources (Calm App flexible fitness reimbursements pet insurance)

Financial Wellbeing

• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match

• 100% employer-paid life and disability insurance

• Employee referral bonuses

• Premium shift differential for overnight shifts ($1$2/hour)

• Premium shift differential for staff scheduled to work on the 11 agency holidays

• Discounts on auto insurance

• Access to Metro Credit Union banking and resources

• Free parking

Professional Growth and Community

• Walker Academy: 2-week onboarding and training program

• Regular supervision and career planning opportunities

• Free TCI and CPR/First Aid certifications and renewals

• Access to 1000 online human services courses with CEU credit

• Tuition reimbursement and remission (up to $1500 annually each)

• Recognition for years of service and monthly community events

• External learning opportunities (conferences workshops)

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individuals race color religion national origin sex age marital status sexual orientation genetic information disability veteran status pregnancy national guard or reserve unit obligations participation in discrimination complaint-related activities or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.