Residential Counselor - Day Shift

DESC•Burien, WA

2d•$33 - $36

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 particular emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. The role involves interacting with residents, supporting clinical staff in coordinating services and engaging residents, maintaining building safety and operations, responding to crises and emergencies, documenting significant events, and assisting with property-management activities. The position works cooperatively with clinical and maintenance staff and visiting providers. The position is a day shift from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday off. It is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Requirements

Basic understanding of homelessness and 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.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs and to consideration and respect for clients.

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 services to residents and contact outside service providers as necessary.
Assist clinical staff in engaging residents through 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 required actions, including contacting emergency response systems.
Document significant events involving residents and building operations in a 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 on-site clinical and maintenance staff and visiting providers, and 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 as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.