Youth Counselor (Special Services)

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JOB TITLE: Youth Counselor | LOCATION: Sam Field Center 58-20 Little Neck Pkwy Little Neck NY 11362

Classification: 3C - Counselor | Salary Range: $18-20/hour| Starting Salary: $18

ABOUT COMMONPOINT

At Commonpoint, community is at the heart of everything we do. With more than 90 program sites and flagship locations in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica, we proudly serve over 125,000 individuals each year. From early childhood to older adulthood, we support people from all walks of life on their journeys from crisis to stability and empowerment. Our wide range of programs, spanning social services, education, and recreation, reflects our mission to build a more connected, inclusive, and thriving community for
all.

ABOUT THE ROLE
To continue advancing the impact we have across the communities we serve, Commonpoint is hiring a Youth Counselor situated within the Special Services Department. The Special Services Department plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life within an inclusive environment that facilitates individual growth, meets individual needs, and builds community. Under the group leader's supervision, the individual hired as a youth counselor will be responsible for the daily supervision and safety of the children. The youth counselor will also
assist the group leader in planning goals and activities for all of the children. This role reports directly to Marianna Albines.
Across the agency, our seasonal and part-time staff play a crucial role in driving our initiatives forward by supporting daily operations, program delivery, and organizational goals.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Agency Expectations
● Support agency initiatives by carrying out assigned duties accurately and efficiently, while following established processes and contributing to basic data collection, reporting, or documentation as required.
● Use agency resources responsibly by following established procedures, safeguarding equipment and materials, and/or supporting cost-effective operations.
● Work effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and cross-department teams to ensure clear communication, timely task completion, and a positive, respectful work environment.
● Follow all safety protocols, policies, and procedures to maintain a safe work environment for staff, partners, and the public, and promptly report concerns or incidents.

Role Expectations
● Under supervision of the Group Leader, the Youth Counselor is directly responsible for the children assigned to the group from the time they arrive to the end of the day.
● Youth Counselors will implement activities that have been developed in accordance with the child’s specific needs.

● Youth Counselors are expected to engage and interact with the children throughout the day and follow the group room schedule and individualized therapeutic interventions.
● Youth Counselors should serve as good role models for the children which fosters the agency’s values and mission.
● Youth Counselors are expected to arrive at work promptly to ensure proper staff coverage for the group room.
● All staff are responsible to keep their group rooms organized and clean.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY ATTRIBUTES:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
● Candidates should be at least 18 years of age, however if the candidate is 16 -17 years of age, they may be considered if they have experience working with children with special needs.
● The candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
● The candidate must have willingness to accept guidance and supervision, and a sense of patience for the children we serve.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
● Previous experience in a Commonpoint role is a plus.
● Previous experience with neurodiverse individuals
● Being an active worker when collaborating as a team to support our neurodiverse children

KEY ATTRIBUTES:
● Consistently shows up prepared, follows through on assigned responsibilities, and meets expectations within established timelines.
● Responds effectively to changing priorities, learns new tasks quickly, and applies feedback to improve performance.
● Adheres to safety protocols, policies, and ethical standards, and represents the agency professionally in all interactions.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Commonpoint offers competitive base salaries benchmarked against comparable nonprofit organizations in the New York metropolitan area. Salaries are determined based on internal and external equity, as well as each position’s scope, qualifications, and organizational impact. We believe in compensating staff fairly and consistently, ensuring that all salary decisions align with our mission-driven commitment to equity and transparency.

To maintain fairness across the organization, salary offers are set according to established salary bands and are not subject to negotiation. New hires typically start near the beginning of the salary range to allow for growth based on performance, professional development, and tenure.

WORKING CONDITIONS & JOB DETAILS

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Classroom, gymnasium, sensory room, playground (seasonal), pool (seasonal), and community-based settings

• Primarily indoor work environment with occasional outdoor activities and field trips

• Essential physical requirements: standing, walking, bending, lifting light-to-moderate materials/equipment, participation in recreational activities, swimming (seasonal)

• May assist participants with mobility, transitions, or adaptive equipment as needed

• Exposure to varying noise levels, sensory stimuli, and active group environments

• Opportunities to work evenings, weekends, school breaks, or special events/programs

• Travel on a bus or public transportation for field trips, community outings, or events

• Work may involve supporting individuals with varying communication, behavioral, medical, or personal care needs

JOB DETAILS
Working schedule: Mon- Fri, 9am- 5pm
Part time Position
In Person

Commonpoint is an equal opportunity employer