residential counselor

program director

licensed practical nurse

life skills trainer

registered nurse

Charles River Center

I definitely appreciate my time and experience at the Charles River Center. I know that I made a difference in the lives of the people I supported, and formed a great rapport with most of them. The great coworkers I had also made a difference in how I felt about my job overall. I also made my way up in the agency after a few years, so I did feel like there was room for advancement. Up until this year, I had felt that the Charles River Center was one of the best agencies I had worked for. However, my opinion of the agency was soured by a new manager who came on board in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pretty much soon after starting, this person started trying to implement a variety of changes during what was already a stressful and trying time for staff. Not to mention that staffing for our program was very limited for several months. I did not feel supported or truly heard by this supervisor, so therefore I had no trust or respect for this person. Human resources also did not seem supportive of my feedback regarding them. And other coworkers had had negative experiences with the same supervisor. So I feel like this one change in management created a kind of toxic working environment, which negatively effected the mental health of the staff under this person. When I made my opinion of this person and their supervisory skills known, they became passive-aggressive towards me in a variety of ways. It's honestly been a relief to not have to deal with this person and their poor management anymore.

I have worked at the Charles River Center for over 10 years.  It is my fourth employer in a 30+ year career serving persons with disabilities, and it is by far my favorite.  Two others were also quite good, so that’s saying a lot.  This agency believes in what it is doing and cares from the top down and the bottom up.  I have met many inspirational clients and colleagues here and feel as though the agency understands that it’s employees who care are truly assets and investments.  My experience here includes the best supervisor I have ever had, and someone who truly invests the time and effort to help me improve myself as a professional.  The work is hard and resources are as scarce as they are anywhere else in the field, so it is not a good choice for those who are looking for an easy job.  Those folks need not apply, as everyone here truly believes that the challenges make us better, stronger and more able.  And that applies to everyone in the CRC community, from the people we serve right up to the board of directors.  If you are willing to work hard and truly want to make a difference, I cannot think of a recommendation better than to learn more about The Charles River Center.  Maybe we can help you grow too.

A typical day is that no two days are ever the same, because we are dealing with humans lives which affect their residence, play, and work life. We organize their doctor visits, and getting back and forth to work. We are helping them reach their Individual Support Plans, ISP.

I have learned to use  a number of medical concepts that I learned in
college in the real world, and see their importance. I have created health care records, HCR and submitted them to the Department of Developmental Services, DDS for our residences.  On an ongoing basis I have met with staff to discuss matters that pertain to their performance on a regular basis.

The culture at CRC is usually fun and light-hearted as we help the individuals bring their ISP goals to fruition, like getting a paid or volunteer job in the communities they live in or near. This is also the best part of my job.  The hardest part can be dealing with difficult parents or guardians when working as the PD On-call.

I've enjoyed working at the Charles River Center for the past four years. The organization is focused on empowering and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The company is well-managed, and the employees there wholeheartedly support the mission. There's a team environment, where staff help out when needed. 

Continuous learning is offered. There is advanced training, a variety of certifications depending on your interests, and encouragement to apply for new positions.

The atmosphere is friendly and supportive, and there are always new opportunities. For example, current job openings include residential program directors, assistant directors, residential counselors, life skills coaches, case coordinators, day habilitation specialists and a part-time RN. 

For individuals who believe in the Charles River Center mission and want to make a difference while working in a supportive and collaborative environment, this is a great place to work.

The managerial incompetence was staggering, as decisions were made without any consideration for the well-being or professional growth of employees. Favoritism ran unchecked, creating an environment where promotions and opportunities were blatantly handed out based on personal relationships rather than merit. The chronic understaffing made it impossible to meet job demands, leading to burnout and an unsustainable workload. Unfair compensation practices only added insult to injury, with employees consistently undervalued for their contributions. The toxic work culture permeated every aspect of the workplace, fostering a sense of despair and demoralization. This toxic combination of poor management, favoritism, low staffing, unfair compensation, and a toxic work culture made my time at Charles river  an unfulfilling and deeply regrettable chapter in my professional journey.

I've been with Charles River Center as an HR Generalist for 3 months and I can honestly say it's been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. The company culture is supportive, inclusive, and focused on both personal and professional growth.

One of the things I love most about my job is the autonomy I have in managing a variety of HR functions. Every day brings new challenges, and I’m always encouraged to bring innovative solutions to the table.

What really makes this place special, though, is the leadership. My boss is genuinely invested in my success and well-being. They provide clear direction, regular feedback, and empower me to make decisions that impact the organization. Their open-door policy and willingness to mentor have been invaluable in my growth as an HR professional.

Overall, Charles River Center offers a dynamic and rewarding environment for anyone in HR. I’m proud to be part of such a forward-thinking and supportive company.



I enjoyed my time at Charles River Center. I worked with an excellent and talented team of staff members, where I gained invaluable experience. My manager was excellent but has difficulty properly utilizing his staff due to how busy they can get. Compared to other departments, mine was one of the best managed. Everyone at CRC is friendly to each other and enjoys doing their part to provide for the individuals that we cater to. Many employees were underpaid in their positions, and I hope that the C-suite takes drastic efforts to improve this, but my wages were fair. Compared to previous positions, I really enjoyed interacting with my team and individuals, and I hope that CRC continues to grow and thrive!

I was given the opportunity to be a program director at a residence. Over 4 years I worked with many very supportive people in management. I appreciate that CRC continues to make administrative / upper management changes to progress in an often difficult field (IDD human services). I feel that I was given a reasonably fair look regarding advancement opportunities. This job is -by definition- very difficult (with several areas requiring attention) and you will learn a lot about delegation, workflow, and cultivating staff. I feel indebted to CRC for the opportunity to learn about management in this environment. Caring for clients in this field is incredibly rewarding: if your heart is in it, you can learn the rest. Loved the CEO's intelligence and commitment. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Services offered are satisfying, the family spirit, and staff benefits.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Human services jobs as a whole are demanding, having to ensure the safety of individuals and yourself.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Amazingly Friendly.if you choose to be part of the team and there is also room for growth.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
At the residential, offering support to the individuals in activities of daily living like showers & brushing, community engagements, house chores like cooking & cleaning, positive behavior support etc.

This used to be a good place to work but it's really changed.  Starting at the top and working its way all the way down is an attitude from administration that those who actually do the work are just grunts, barely deserving of any kind of recognition.  They seem to forget, without those of us who work with the clients directly they wouldn't have jobs.  Top managers make serious money, the rest of us just enough to live paycheck to paycheck.

Chronic short staffing, dangerous client to staff ratios, disgusting bathrooms for staff use.  Some staff sleeping on the job, chatting endlessly on cell phones, frustrating.

Training department sucks and is openly hostile.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Residential counselor 59 salaries reported	$20.18 per hour
Program director 23 salaries reported	$22.67 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 8 salaries reported	$33.88 per hour
Life skills trainer 17 salaries reported	$21.03 per hour
Registered nurse 8 salaries reported	$40.77 per hour

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