$1000 sign on bonus!

3-11pm, includes weekends

About Us

The House of the Good Shepherd (HGS) has been changing children’s lives for over 150 years. We provide individualized, compassionate care to youth and families through a range of residential, educational, community, and foster care programs across Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the North Country. Our agency is built on a foundation of empathy, resilience, and the Sanctuary Model of care, which guides our commitment to healing and hope.

What You’ll Do
As a Child Care Worker, you’ll be a steady presence for children and teens who have experienced significant trauma. In this role, you’ll help create a sense of structure, safety, and security as they navigate daily life in a residential setting. The work can be challenging, but your support will be a key part of a young person’s healing journey.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking mission-driven individuals who are passionate about youth development, responsive care, and teamwork. This is a great role for someone who is dependable, compassionate, and eager to learn.

Education and Experience Requirements:
1. Minimum high school or equivalency diploma required; some higher education preferred.
2. Experience with children highly desirable; sufficient maturity to work with and relate to children required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
1. Commitment to following and embracing the Seven Commitments of our Sanctuary Model.
2. Ability to form positive relationships with children.
3. Ability to understand and respond to children's basic developmental needs.
4. Ability to understand and follow agency policy and Trauma Informed Care orientation.
5. Understanding of basic needs and developmental issues of children in a way that promotes growth and respects individuality.
6. Asks age and developmentally appropriate questions and actively listens to children’s responses.
7. Develops a warm, positive, nurturing relationship with each child.
8. Follows mandated reporting requirements regarding child abuse and neglect.
9. Practices infection control, including appropriate hand washing procedures.
10. Uses knowledge of developmental milestones, assists children in participating at their individual level of interest and ability.
11. Interacts with children during meal and snack times, promoting appropriate social behavior.
12. Applies knowledge of child development to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities and environments.
13. Adapts activities and environments to meet the special needs and situations of individual children.
14. Identifies developmentally appropriate behavior and reasonable expectations for children’s behavior.
15. Uses observation as a way to “get to know” children –their interests and developmental levels.
16. Ability for role model and teach appropriate behavior to children.
17. Demonstrate a high level of professionalism at all times.
18. Valid New York state driver’s license.

#DCHGS