Relief Residential Counselor

PINE STREET INN INC • Boston, MA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Relief Counselor is responsible for the overall safety of the participants within the programs of Behavioral Health/Specialized Housing. Relief staff will be assigned to the location(s) in need of coverage. Ability to follow set procedures and processes which vary at each location. All programs follow the Housing First Model. The Relief Counselor will provide coverage support to these programs. The Relief Counselor will oversee daily operations of the program (s) and maintain the safety of said program. The Relief Counselor will set up foods and assist participants in obtaining their lunch meal and performing other activities of daily living (ADL) skills. The incumbent will also work with other staff to engage participants in leisure time activities. The Relief Counselor will create and maintain a respectful atmosphere that empowers participants to reach their highest level of functioning. Due to emergency or unforeseen program needs, staff may be called upon to provide last-minute coverage. New Chardon houses 20 women-identifying individuals with mental health, substance use and/or medical issues at one site. Safe Haven Program houses 31 individuals with mental health issues across three sites. Veterans Services program houses 25 Veterans across two sites.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some basic prior human services training
• Minimum of six (6) months experience working in a shelter setting, community residence or in an inpatient setting
• Experience maintaining a safe environment for clients in a program setting
• Experience as a human services team member
• Familiarity with the concepts of rehabilitation and consumer empowerment
• Experience with dually diagnosed individuals
• Experience assisting people with ADL skills
• Comfort level working with participants with untreated psychiatric conditions
• Comfort with a harm reduction approach to substance abuse
• Comfort working with people with substance use issues
• Comfort with working with veterans
• Comfort with working with diverse populations, including trans- and gender fluid individuals
• Effective writing, verbal, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing direct care in a homeless shelter or similar human services environment
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, Harm-Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care and de-escalation
• Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality and HIPPA laws
• Experience working within a Housing First/Safe Haven Model
• Experience working with veterans and in Harm-Reduction
• Experience working with the homeless population and low demand individuals
• Experience working with populations with co-occurring disorders

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall safety of the participants within the programs of Behavioral Health/Specialized Housing.
• Provide coverage support to programs.
• Oversee daily operations of the program(s) and maintain the safety of said program.
• Set up foods and assist participants in obtaining their lunch meal.
• Assist participants in performing other activities of daily living (ADL) skills.
• Work with other staff to engage participants in leisure time activities.
• Create and maintain a respectful atmosphere that empowers participants to reach their highest level of functioning.
• Provide last-minute coverage due to emergency or unforeseen program needs.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED