The Home for Little Wanderers·Waltham, Massachusetts
Provide a safe and secure environment for at-risk youth while implementing trauma-informed care and behavioral training. Support clients in developing life skills and facilitate their transition toward reunification or long-term placement.
When you join The Home for Little Wanderers, you join a team of professionals dedicated to creating better, brighter futures for kids.
For over 200 years, The Home for Little Wanderers has helped build stable lives and hopeful tomorrows for vulnerable children and their families.
Our 25+ community-based and residential programs serve thousands of at-risk youths from birth to age 26.
Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or a disrupted family life.
As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we provide them with safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and a secure path toward a better, brighter future.
To learn more about the incredible impact our employees have on the lives of children and families, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXedSArtYbg [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DDXedSArtYbg&data=05%7C02%7Ccpladziewicz%40thehome.org%7C1109612a20f747a3d48408dc240103ab%7C49bd639b22cc492a8b69890cf10854a2%7C0%7C0%7C638424834000282697%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iynpbxa928NoKE65afnptubcMRYdJaK5%2FyusV2oL2MA%3D&reserved=0]
Join a dynamic team of professionals implementing our trauma informed care model. Support youth in developing the skills they need to successfully transition home to families.
Under the direction of supervisor, primarily responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for clients. The Residential Counselor is expected to be knowledgeable of the program’s mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their direct care and supervision of clients.
In this position, the Residential Counselor will counsel, observe, and provide behavioral training, outreach support, advocacy and treatment to children and their families to facilitate reunification and/or long-term out of home placement. Additional case management duties include ensuring that the individuals served are supported to lead emotionally and physically healthy lifestyles in preparation for long-term placement. This may include, but is not limited to, exercise and nutrition training, community integration, psycho- educational therapeutic counseling, human rights advocacy, medical advocacy, medication administration, social and life-skills training, as well as educational and life planning.
Under the direction of supervisor, primarily responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for clients. The Residential Counselor is expected to be knowledgeable of the program’s mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their direct care and supervision of clients.
How You'll Be Making a Difference
Knowledge and application of program routines/ structure. Maintain a general understanding of the population of clients with whom we work
Foster healthy, appropriate relationships with our clients through daily interactions
Develop an understanding of level system (cards, behavior contracts, etc.)
Supervise and coordinate activities of daily living for students, including hygiene, clothing, chores, and other activities. Assist children with the transition from each scheduled activity.
Provide First Aid appropriately as needed
May plan and participate in activities with clients/students on an individual and small group (less than 6) level in accordance with treatment plans and goals. Teach age appropriate life skills and social skills through modeling, counseling, and other techniques. Participate in groups and activities designed to enhance growth and development.
Participate in off campus recreational/educational activities
Maintain a safe and supportive environment. Manage living, dining, educational, recreational areas to provide a clean, organized environment for students. Insure adequate supervision of students through coordination of care with other staff.
Provide group and individual behavior support and intervention as trained, including the use of TCI appropriate physical restraint as necessary. Coordinate medical and emergency situations with the supervisor.
Communicate through written and verbal means with other program staff on positive skills and accomplishments as well as difficult or challenging client issues
Complete all assigned paperwork including time sheet, level card, goal/ level tracking, incident reporting, and 51A’s in a thorough and timely manner
Attend trainings
Participate in supervision meetings with supervisor
Residential Counselors can enroll in The Home’s Impact Corps - a fellowship learning track designed to provide adults with an opportunity to help serve vulnerable children and young adults while gaining industry experience in counseling, education, clinical roles, and leadership. Along the way, gain new training, hone your skills, and be eligible for bonuses adding up to $5,000 upon successful completion! To learn more, visit: bit.ly/3ONYlOg
The pay range listed represents the company’s good faith estimate of the salary or wage range for this position at the time of posting, as required under applicable law. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including a candidate’s relevant experience, education, skills, and internal equity relative to other employees in similar roles. Candidates with less directly related experience may be placed toward the lower end of the range, while those with extensive or specialized experience may be placed toward the higher end. Market conditions and budget considerations may also influence final pay decisions.
We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of childcare experience in a residential setting. Candidates must be computer literate and capable of learning new software applications.
Market context
Congregate residential counselor roles in Massachusetts are typically in demand because providers need staff who can support daily routines, supervision, and documentation in residential settings. This role is competitive for candidates with residential childcare experience, comfort using software, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then be ready to describe your hands-on experience with youth care and your ability to learn new systems.
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