Job Information
St. Catherine's Center for Children Activities Coordinator, Marillac in Albany, New York
About Our Organization:
St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a leading non-profit organization in New York’s Greater Capital District. Our comprehensive range of human services reach more than 1,000 children, 600 families, and hundreds of adults across Upstate New York each year. Our multi-faceted programs are designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve. We offer residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more.
St. Catherine’s employs more than 300 full and part-time staff. Our spectrum of services for children, families and individuals suffering from the lasting effects of abuse and neglect, family instability, mental illness, homelessness and other ongoing traumas, continues to grow. We are committed to cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEI-B initiatives are designed to support and build a more equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace, one which exemplifies true respect and dignity.
SHIFT: Tuesday through Saturday, 12pm to 8pm
Job Summary:
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Marillac, the Activities Coordinator ensures a safe, secure, healthy, clean, and positive environment for families as they make their transition from homelessness through after-care.
The Activities Coordinator is also responsible to plan, organize and facilitate recreational activities for the children in residence, and conduct family-oriented programming while providing a safe and therapeutic environment in which the infants and pre-school children are cared for, during the absence of their primary caretaker.
Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Establish and maintain professional working relationships with residents; maintain appropriate personal boundaries; and establish and maintain professional working relationships with staff members, in accordance with all agency procedures, policies, and practices.
Plan a schedule of recreational activities suitable for children and families living at the facility; regularly post activity and event schedules, providing adequate notice for families and facility staff in an effort to maximize participation; act responsibly in providing information and empower residents to identify choices in their daily lives.
Provide a safe and therapeutic environment in which infants and pre-school children may be cared for while their primary caretaker is absent/away from the shelter community.
Provide infant and pre-school children with age appropriate developmental and recreational experiences.
Provide parents the opportunity to develop practical child care skills.
Ensure a safe, secure, healthy, and clean environment by reporting situations which need attention, and providing follow up as needed.
Document interactions with families, using critical incident reports, intake information forms, progress note section of case files, logs, etc.
Monitor free and inexpensive recreational opportunities in the Capital Region and incorporate opportunities into the shelter recreational program.
Collaborate with various staff members in providing recreational and educational activities and events for children and families.
Respect the rights of others and protect all confidential information.
Intervene in crisis situations and assist with conflict resolution as needed by providing mediation and facilitating communication.
Participate in professional development programming on a regular basis.
Actively participate in upholding a “client-supportive” and respectful community standard.
Monitor volunteers working in the recreation program.
Safeguard and maintain all Agency recreational equipment and space.
Supervise families during activities or events occurring within the facility.
Transport and chaperone families to planned recreational activities and/or events.
Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor/ director.
Organizational Relationships:
Works under the direct supervision of the Director of Marillac.
Collaborates with all shelter staff.
Maintains a team-oriented approach in working with families.
Essential Functions:
Mobility, in terms of the ability to make on-site contacts with referring agencies, collaborating agencies, and family units.
Ability to work collaboratively and in a family-focused approach with families, welcoming them as part of the Homeless Services Community.
Capable of relating to a culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged population. This includes but is not limited to a broad range of people with various developmental and functional levels; Capacity to exhibit empathy for those in need.
Excellent organization, planning and time management skills.
Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude.
Must possess excellent communication skills (written and verbal); outstanding interpersonal skills, and the ability to build strong working relationships with other agency staff and other regulatory bodies.
Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times, stressful environment.
Demonstrated placidity and patience, flexibility and adaptability.
Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person; and have confidence in the principle that people have the capacity to grow and change at their own pace and motivation.
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people, including those who are culturally and socio-economically diverse, as well as people with various developmental and functional levels.
Ability to understand, communicate, represent and carry out the mission, values, philosophy and policies of St. Catherine’s Center for Children.
Capable of conducting oneself in a manner that is becoming of an employee of St. Catherine’s Center for Children.
Ability to organize and effectively manage, in a timely fashion, the varied tasks of the position.
Ability and conceptualizations necessary to embrace and work effectively within a therapeutic-based program.
The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence, empowering them to solve their own problems.
Ability to work effectively in a shared decision-making model as a team member and work collaboratively with other personnel and service providers or professionals.
The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to assist in meeting service goals, while setting appropriate limits.
Must be able to respond effectively and therapeutically in crisis situations.
Ability to drive and transport clients to planned recreational activities/events and appointments as needed.
Position Specifications:
High School diploma (or) GED/TASC equivalent, required; College degree is preferred.
Clean and valid NYS driver’s license for at least one year, with reliable vehicle for transporting clients (to activities/events, appointments, etc.) - with proof of 100/300 liability coverage.
Basic computer knowledge, preferably Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, Meet, etc.).
Previous experience working in a human services agency, with knowledge of community resources is helpful.
Self-confident, motivated, and highly organized with good use of judgement.
Formal crisis intervention training a plus!
Ability to show flexibility in planning for future programming and to take supervisory direction well.
Ability to assimilate or connect well with clients and harmonize with other team members.
Strong attention to detail, with the ability to multitask while prioritizing.
Capacity and openness to work with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Ability to pass required pre-employment background checks, to include fingerprinting, is required.
What We Offer You:
Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
Health Insurance options: Medical, Dental and Vision
Generous Combined Leave Time and 10 Paid Holidays*!
$500 Employee Referral Bonus*
Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*
Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution*
Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit, at no cost to you!
Paid Training* including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Update courses, if role appropriate
Tuition Reimbursement*
Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.
*To qualify, certain conditions may apply; See Human Resources for additional details.
EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.
Background Checks: We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!
UPDATES: 5/21; 4/23; 01/24