Advocate Counselor: Yabc At Boys & Girls Hs

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

For Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time) 

Candidates hired in this position will work in person but will have the flexibility to work remotely when program need allows

Title:               Advocate Counselor, YABC at Boys and Girls High School

Reports To:     Program Director, Boys and Girls High School

Location:        1700 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11213

Hours:             35 Hours/Week; Exempt (12-month); Mon-Thurs: 12:30PM to 8:30PM, Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Salary:             $40,000 - $45,000

Job Summary:      The Advocate Counselor provides individual and group counseling, case management, advocacy, referrals and crisis intervention to over-aged, under-credited adolescents in the Young Adult Borough Center (YABC). The Advocate Counselor also assists in implementing other aspects of the program in close collaboration with agency and school personnel.

Major Duties:             

• Provide case management for students identified as in need of supportive services.
• Provide individual counseling, group counseling and crisis intervention as needed.
• Provide family outreach and involvement as appropriate.
• Develop and implement workshops responsive to student needs.
• Assist students in attending school regularly through identifying obstacles and connecting with resources; attendance outreach including home visits.
• Assist in carrying out other aspects of the program including planning/attending trips, celebrations, and leadership activities.
• Support students with all aspects of the college preparation process including applications, financial aid, personal essay, and college visits.
• Support and help students explore all post-secondary plan options (college, military, vocational programs, full-time work).
• Refer youth and families to relevant resources within Good Shepherd Services and other community organizations.
• Function as an active member of Good Shepherd Services and school teams.
• Perform statistical, narrative, and record keeping duties as required.
• Encourage, embody, and foster a strength-based approach grounded in youth and family development principles.
• Participate in professional development opportunities via the Good Shepherd Services Learning and Development Department.
• Collaborate with key school players on behalf of students: deans, teachers, guidance counselors, safety agents, Assistant Principal, etc.
• Communicate and engage effectively with GSS team members, including, but not limited to: Program Director, Social Worker/Therapist, Internship & Career Coordinator, peers at other YABC sites, peers at other GSS sites.
• Participate in staff/team meetings and DOE meetings as needed.
• Actively engage in weekly supervision meetings with Program Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:  

• Associates degree required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Must have experience working with adolescent/young adults individually and in groups.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Committed to upholding an inclusive environment in program that fosters a sense of community, belonging and connectedness.
• Prior experience in a school setting helpful.
• Must have excellent time management, organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength based and/or youth and family development perspective.
• Knowledge in Trauma Informed Practice a plus

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.