Residential Counselor - Day Shift

Downtown Emergency Service Center•Burien, WA

About The Position

DESC is seeking energized and passionate Residential Counselors to manage basic day-to-day operations at its Permanent Supportive Housing Projects. Residential Counselors assist residents with daily needs, with special emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. The position works with clinical and maintenance staff, visiting providers, and residents to support building operations, resident engagement, safety, and access to services. The position is full-time and works the day shift, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday off. It is union-represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Requirements

Basic understanding of homelessness and the various characteristics of the homeless adult population.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
Subscribe to a philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to operate computer hardware systems.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social or behavioral science.
Residential property management experience.
Experience with the challenges of mental illness and substance use.
Current Washington State Driver’s License, insurable driving record, and ability to drive an agency van and transport tenants.

Responsibilities

Interact with residents in general milieu and common areas.
Assist clinical staff in coordinating resident services and contact residents’ outside service providers as necessary.
Help clinical staff engage residents using creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence.
Assist clinical staff with initiating, facilitating, and promoting on-site activities, therapeutic support groups, outings, and community meetings.
Manage building operations in the absence of other project and clinical staff, as assigned.
Operate lobby office functions, including checking visitors in and out, answering telephones, and monitoring security systems.
Maintain safety and security by monitoring general access areas and enforcing project rules.
Intervene in crises, respond to emergencies, and initiate appropriate action, including contacting emergency response systems.
Record significant resident events and building operations activities in the daily log and read the log daily.
Assist with room turnovers, new resident leasing and orientation, rent collection, and facilities inspections.
Respond to resident complaints.
Work cooperatively with project-based clinical and maintenance staff and visiting providers; refer residents to clinical and other staff as necessary.
Initiate appropriate responses to maintenance requests.
Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
Assist with other property management functions and perform other duties as assigned.