Social Worker

The Social Worker is a key member of the Youth Residential Services, supporting the emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of youth residing in group homes in Queens and Staten Island operated by Heartshare St.Vincent’s Family Services under ACS and OCFS. Serving a total of 12 young people in each home, the Social Worker collaborates closely with residential leadership, youth counselors, and interdisciplinary partners to promote stability, strengthen youth engagement, and ensure high-quality, trauma-informed care. The role requires strong clinical judgment, the ability to respond to acute needs, and the capacity to implement evidence-based interventions that support youth safety, healing, and growth.

Current Locations with Open Positions:

• Jamaica Group Home, 167-01 Highland Ave, Jamaica, NY, 11432
• Meiers Corner East, 207 Wheeler Ave, Staten Island, NY,10314
• New Brighton GH 128 Franklin Ave, Staten Island, NY, 10301
• Richmond Hill Group Home 120-09 109 Ave, S.Ozone, NY, 11420

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities of Position:

Youth Support & Clinical Engagement

• Provide individual counseling, crisis intervention, and ongoing support to youth with acute or emerging needs.
• Utilize evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and other structured interventions to address behavioral, emotional, and trauma-related challenges.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments, safety planning, and service planning in alignment with agency and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate group activities and therapeutic groups that promote social-emotional skill building, community integration, and positive peer engagement.
• Maintain a consistent presence across both sites to build rapport, monitor youth well-being, and support daily program functioning.

Program Collaboration & Home Stability

• Partner with residential leadership and direct care staff to maintain a stable, structured, and trauma-informed home environment.
• Participate in daily or weekly team meetings to review youth progress, identify needs, and coordinate interventions.
• Provide psychoeducation to staff on youth development, trauma, behavioral health, and evidence-based strategies for supporting youth.
• Support the development and implementation of behavior support strategies that reinforce pro-social behavior and reduce incidents.
• Collaborate with the Intensive Trauma Services (ITS) team to combine perspectives, avoid duplication and provide more holistic support. Regular communication, shared planning, risk management, and ensuring youth receive appropriate clinical intervention.

Intake, Assessment & Documentation

• Participate in the interview, intake, and orientation process for new youth entering the program.
• Complete required documentation, including progress notes, assessments, service plans, and incident follow-ups, in accordance with ACS and OCFS standards.
• Collaborate with external providers, case planners, schools, and mental health professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Family, Community & Systems Engagement

• Engage families, permanency resources, and community partners to support youth goals and strengthen natural supports.
• Coordinate referrals for mental health, medical, educational, and vocational services as needed.
• Advocate for youth needs within multidisciplinary meetings, court-related processes, and service planning conferences.

Core Competencies

• Trauma-Informed Engagement
• Evidence-Based Clinical Practice
• Crisis Response & De-escalation
• Youth-Centered Practice
• Collaboration & Team Communication
• Cultural Humility
• Professional Boundaries & Ethics
• Flexibility and Adaptability in Residential Settings