About this role
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Ali Forney Center (AFC) protects LGBTQ+ youth from homelessness and helps them build the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides housing, healthcare, and educational support to thousands of youth each year. AFC creates an affirming, supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive.
POSITION SUMMARY
Youth Counselors are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the housing program and the direct care of residents during 8 hour shifts. Youth Counselors create and supervise a physically and psychologically safe and affirming environment for residents, helping them meet their needs and progress on their goals. Youth Counselors provide individual support and group programming and oversee the functioning of the site. Youth Counselors must be organized, able to work and solve problems independently and communicate effectively with supervisors.
SCHEDULE: Wednesday - Saturday 10pm-7am
LOCATION: Manhattan
WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY: In Person
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide a physically and psychologically safe, clean, and secure homelike environment.
Complete hourly site walk throughs to check in with residents and ensure the site is secure.
- Complete daily chores as needed.
- De-escalate and regularly check in on issues between residents.
- Maintain a safe, respectful, hospitable, and professional atmosphere.
- Provide individual and group support to residents as needed.
- Facilitate groups or activities.
- Prepare and supervise meals. (This is required in the Emergency Housing program.)
- Use trauma informed care practices to uphold and support program policies and ensure consistency in the delivery of services.
- Document daily services, maintain client charts, progress notes, and group notes.
Complete daily individual and group progress notes.
- Communicate necessary resident updates to program supervisors and residents care teams (Case Manager, Therapist, Health Counselor) as needed, in a timely manner.
- Communicate with Operations, IT, and Facilities as needed.
- Attend weekly mandatory staff meetings and training.
- Attend regular supervision, at least twice per month.
- Maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitary environment by handling trash removal, cleaning surfaces, food storage areas, computer areas, bathrooms, sinks, and floors.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Experience working with adolescents and/or young adults
- Ability & willingness to work weekends, holidays, overnight shifts and flexible schedules as required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with LGBTQIA+ youth and/or young adults
- Experience working with youth or young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Knowledge of psychosocial needs of LGBTQIA+/homeless population is helpful
- Familiarity with trauma-informed care and harm-reduction approaches
- Experience providing crisis intervention, de-escalation or conflict mediation
- Bilingual or multilingual skills
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to remain awake for the entire shift duration
- Ability and willingness to work across different sites, flexible hours, weekends and holidays; may include overnight shifts
CORE & ROLE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
AFC Core Competencies (examples)
- Mission alignment and commitment to affirming, youth-centered practice
- Cultural humility and ability to work effectively with diverse LGBTQ+ youth populations
- Trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to service delivery and collaboration
- Clear communication, professionalism, and accountability
- Adaptability, sound judgment, and ability to respond calmly in fast-paced environments
Role-Related Competencies
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with youth, colleagues and supervisors
- Ability to understand and share the feelings of others, providing compassionate support to youth
- Strong ability to identify problems and develop effective solutions independently
- Ability to work collaboratively with the treatment team, IT & Facilities and program supervisors
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and handle emergencies calmly and efficiently
- Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate documentation and manage multiple tasks effectively
- Awareness and understanding of the cultural and social issues affecting LGBTQIA+ and unhoused youth
- Ability to mediate and resolve conflicts among youth and between youth and staff