Emergency Residence Program Counselor

YMCA OF NEWARK•Newark, NJ

13d•$0 - $18

About The Position

The YMCA of Newark is seeking part-time counselors for its Emergency Residence Program shelter, which provides programs to support families and individuals during periods of crisis. Counselors help ensure activities on residents’ floors are safe and run smoothly in accordance with established policies and procedures. The role includes conducting emergency intakes, providing crisis counseling and referrals, supporting residents with information and advocacy, maintaining records and logs, monitoring the facility, and assisting with resident activities. The YMCA recruitment process includes comprehensive background screening, including a pre-employment drug test and criminal background check. Training is provided upon hire.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
At least one year of experience in customer service, security, social services, or a related field; social services experience is preferred.
Sufficient computer skills and ability to learn new systems.
Sufficient verbal and written communication skills.
Sufficient administrative skills.
Excellent human relations skills.
Ability to communicate professionally with a wide variety of people, using tact and diplomacy when needed.
Ability to support the YMCA’s mission and values and the Housing department’s service culture.
Ability to work on holidays.
CPR/AED certification, or ability to obtain it within 90 days of hire.
Availability for at least two to four shifts per week.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish ability.
Experience in social services.

Responsibilities

Conduct emergency intake requests and help clients feel welcome and comfortable during intake.
Provide information, crisis counseling, shelter screenings, and referrals over the phone.
Provide residents with information and advocacy concerning social services, housing, and legal information.
Assist Case Managers with timely and accurate entry of residents into HMIS and the Tollo Data Base.
Document observations in shelter logs and residents’ case files.
Complete daily log sheets with required information about shift activities.
Report maintenance failures to a supervisor.
Immediately notify a supervisor about unusual cases, irregularities, accidents, fires, or illnesses, and complete incident reports according to procedures.
Maintain the Daily Logbook and report incidents to the appropriate department authority, such as the Case Manager, Intake Supervisor, or Director of Housing.
Bag and tag rooms vacated by residents so they are clean and ready for use.
Perform two room checks during each eight-hour shift.
Monitor residents’ entrance to and exit from the floors.
Ensure rooms, bathrooms, and living areas are clean and neat.
Provide residents access to locked areas, such as rooms, refrigerators, and kitchens, as needed.
Assist Case Managers and Activity Specialists with special events and activities.
Attend required staff meetings and scheduled training sessions.
Maintain a safe, clean work environment free of clutter, debris, and hazardous conditions.
Provide excellent customer service and care to internal and external customers, including residents, visitors, clients, vendors, volunteers, and staff.
Demonstrate and model the YMCA’s values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
Perform other job-related duties assigned by the Supervisor.
Follow Abuse Risk Management policies, including maintaining appropriate boundaries, attending required training, following high-risk activity supervision procedures, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior and policy violations, and complying with mandated abuse reporting requirements.