Senior Residential Counselor - Domestic Violence Program

City of Alexandria • Alexandria, VA

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Residential Counselor (SRC) is responsible for answering the program’s 24 hour hotline, providing crisis intervention and counseling to callers and clients residing in the Domestic Violence Program Safehouse. Monitors safety and maintenance of the safe house to ensure the site is clean, safe and in good repair.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of domestic violence and trauma-informed advocacy
• Thorough knowledge of household coordination and maintenance and the role of residential support services
• Some knowledge of social, psychiatric, economic and health problems
• Some knowledge of community resources or the ability to readily acquire such knowledge
• Some knowledge of counseling techniques provided to clients with mental disorders, alcoholism, and/or drug abuse
• Ability to quickly assess and defuse hostile situations
• Ability to identify social problems and needs, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and families
• Ability to identify behavior which indicates movement toward a crisis situation
• Ability to obtain the cooperation of others in difficult situations
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Two-Year College Degree
• Two years experience working with clients with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, Substance Abuse Disorder or domestic violence in a residential setting and supervisory experience
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
• Valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence

Nice To Haves

• Four -year college degree in Human Service or a related field
• Two years of experience working in a residential setting with clients diagnosed with substance use disorder(s), serious mental illness and/or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder
• At least one year of supervisory experience
• At least one year of experience working with Trauma Survivors (specifically Domestic Violence survivors)
• At least one (1) year of experience providing Trauma Informed Care

Responsibilities

• Provides a time-sensitive assessment of and response to immediate needs of hotline callers who have experienced or been impacted by sexual/domestic violence in order to help them return to pre-crisis levels of functioning. Services provided on the hotline include crisis intervention, support, safety planning, information, and referrals.
• Provides 24-hour emergency crisis response providing individual and systems advocacy to victims of sexual/domestic violence for forensic examinations, related medical treatment and testing, police interviews and court proceedings.
• Interview victims of domestic and sexual violence to obtain sufficient information to assess their history, current status, resources, strengths, coping abilities and living needs, safety planning and screen them for admittance to the shelter.
• Conducts intakes on new residents, including history, administrative forms, tour, house rules, and settling into their rooms.
• Serve as advocate for clients to assist them in their dealings with the court system, social services, and employers and in obtaining child-care services and housing.
• Monitor resident activity to assure compliance with individual goal plans.
• Prompts and encourages residents to facilitate self-expression and growth, communication, problem solving, and handling of personal problems.
• Provide individual counseling and case management services to residents in the shelter.
• Monitor residents' activities, their changing physical and social needs and their compliance with house rules.
• Ensures that facility operations, maintenance, health and safety of all residents in the facility comply with State and local accreditations.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Benefits

• The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree