Direct Support/Counseling

YAI has immediate openings for direct support Resource Center Counselors at our newly opened START Resource Center in Kingston NY! Join our dynamic multidisciplinary team providing positive and holistic therapeutic interventions for people with both developmental disabilities and mental health/complex behavioral needs

*The ideal candidate will possess qualities such as compassion, creativity, optimism, and an endless desire to learn.

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Support and Care: Assist individuals in maximizing strengths and meeting personal goals through person-first language, emotional support, and supervision, including personal care, hygiene, and medication management.
• Health & Safety: Ensure safety and wellness by providing appropriate supervision, handling crises, and adhering to health and safety policies and regulations.
• Individualized Plans: Implement person-centered, individualized service and behavior support plans, ensuring compliance with supervision levels and protective oversight.
• Team Collaboration: Work within a team to provide high-quality care, collect data, observe behaviors, and communicate effectively with clinical and leadership staff.
• Training & Advocacy: Demonstrate teaching skills, promote ethical decision-making, facilitate social connections, and advocate for individuals’ needs, while following all relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Available Shifts:

• Full-time and Part-time- Morning, Afternoon/Evening, and Overnight shifts.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff.
• Effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to appropriately document services provided for billing and tracking purposes.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience and empathy and compassion in all interactions.
• Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of supports and ADLs as requested, including regular exposure to and handling of various bodily fluids.
• Basic computer skills – including email, utilizing Workday and related systems (DA, etc.) to complete tasks.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications as required by program assignment and persons supported (for example: Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP), Diabetes Care, CPR, Tube Feeding, etc.) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships in alignment with YAI’s mission and vision.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and work in a high energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours/shift and/or to report to work as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather or during other emergencies to maintain minimum coverage requirements of program, unless otherwise authorized.
• For assignments that require transporting persons supported by vehicle, must hold or obtain and maintain valid Driver’s License and Van certification (based on position/location/program).

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or another Human Services field and at least two (2) years of relevant experience; or
• Be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program in a human services field; or
• High School Diploma or its education equivalent and at least four (4) years of relevant experience; or
• Satisfactory combination of education, experience and/or training as authorized by START/NCSS and/or appropriate State regulatory agency (e.g. OPWDD, etc.).

Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits of working with YAI:

• DailyPay - Work today, get paid today!
• Medical/Dental coverage for some part-time and all full-time positions
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid Vacation/Holidays and Sick Time
• 403(b) retirement with employer matching contribution
• Life Insurance
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more!

If you want a career supporting others, creatively finding solutions to life's challenges, and building a more inclusive community, YAI is the place for you.

YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer