Recreation Program Counselor

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $62,868.00 - $72,298.00. The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community.

The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process. Our goals are to (a) build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety by preventing juveniles from entering the New York City's juvenile justice system, (b) provide therapeutic treatment and services to youth in our custodial care, and (c) help juveniles access the tools they need to leave the justice system for good. We strive to help families and young people by providing supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families.

Life skills, Education and Programs (LEAP) offers education support, workforce development and enrichment programs to youth in secure and non-secure facilities in DYFJ. LEAP is focused on building relationships among staff and using our collective resources to provide comprehensive programs and activities. LEAP ensures that youth served by DYFJ (from detention to placement) receive social and educational services throughout their involvement with our system by overseeing an array of programming and services for court involved youth, developing innovative programming and services for youth and families, working together with stakeholders to identify trends, track data, and implement effective training and staff development around specific programmatic issues DYFJ is currently seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Recreation Program Counselor to join our team at a secured youth detention center. As a Recreation Program Counselor, you will play a pivotal role in providing counseling, guidance, and support to incarcerated youth. The Recreation Program Counselor at the Juvenile Detention Center is responsible for developing, coordinating, and facilitating recreational activities and programs aimed at promoting physical, social, and emotional well-being among detained youth. This role focuses on creating a positive and constructive environment that fosters personal growth, teamwork, and the development of essential life skills.

The Recreation Program Counselor will be responsible for performing the following duties but are not limited to:

• Design and implement diverse and engaging recreation programs tailored to the youth’s interests, abilities, and developmental needs.
• Create structured schedules encompassing sports, team-building exercises, and other age-appropriate activities.
• Lead and supervise recreational sessions to ensure participant safety and well-being, while fostering positive relationships.
• Instruct and encourage youth participation in various activities, promoting healthy lifestyles and teamwork.
• Intervene in conflicts using effective resolution strategies and model appropriate behavior.
• Collaborate with detention center staff and external partners to enhance program variety and quality.
• Assess program effectiveness in meeting physical, social, and emotional needs, documenting participant engagement and progress.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports on program impact and participant satisfaction.
• Collaborate to design and execute programs catering to diverse youth interests and needs.
• Promote healthy lifestyles through sports, exercise, and nutrition education.
• Assist in implementing special projects and workshops.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and provide feedback for improvement.
• Serve as a liaison with recreational program vendors, ensuring compliance and quality.
• Organize provider meetings and prepare progress reports and evaluations.
• Undertake additional duties addressing youth cultural, educational, and recreational needs.

Note: This work assignment is at a secure detention facility which is a 24/7 operation. The work schedule may include evening hours, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and mandatory overtime. Shift assignments are based on the needs of the agency.

Additional Information

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

The Administration for Children’s Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing access to all individuals. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Simone Campbell at eeo.adacoordinator@acs.nyc.gov or 212-676-6955.

To Apply

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID #736341. No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

The preferred candidate should possess the following:

• Experience working with justice-involved, at-risk, or underserved youth in a residential, detention, educational, or community-based setting
• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate crisis situations, manage challenging behaviors, and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure environments
• Experience coordinating or providing direct services and youth development activities, including facilitating workshops, life skills programming, psychoeducational groups, and counseling, in a residential, detention, educational, or community-based setting
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills with the ability to build rapport with youth from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and engage with youth from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.