Freedom Village Counselor

Title: Counselor

Agency/Program: Freedom Village

Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Hours Per Week : 35 

Salary: $60,000

Supervisor: Senior Social Worker

Start Date: TBD

Benefits Package: 100% Employer paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Matched Retirement Plan, Paid vacation, Sick days, Personal days, Paid National Holidays, and more.  

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM, after hours on call as needed

Equipment Operated: Computer/Laptop, Printer, Scanner, Phone, Adaptive Devices, etc.
Work Environment: This position will work from the program site five days per week.

Travel: Five days on-site per week and as needed.

About Barrier Free Living (BFL) 

Barrier Free Living (BFL) is dedicated to helping New Yorkers with disabilities live independently in the community.  Through its various programs, BFL provides a broad range of residential and nonresidential services to disabled survivors of domestic violence, transitional shelter to the disabled homeless, and outreach to physically disabled individuals with mental health and/or chemical addiction issues.  Services include case management; housing placements; independent living skills training; occupational therapy; short and long-term individual counseling; advocacy within the medical, mental health, child welfare, law enforcement, and criminal justice systems; and referrals to outside services. 

About Freedom Village

Freedom Village is a 74-unit permanent supportive housing residence operated by BFL. Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the program serves survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and frail elderly individuals (55+), offering a fully accessible and trauma-informed environment. Residents receive comprehensive on-site services including case management, counseling, and occupational therapy to promote safety, healing, and long-term stability.

Role Summary

The Master’s Level Counselor at Freedom Village, a permanent supportive housing program, provides trauma-informed counseling and support to tenants who are survivors of domestic violence, individuals with disabilities, frail elderly adults, and families with complex needs. This position focuses on delivering direct clinical services that promote healing, housing stability, and long-term well-being. The Counselor works as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care and a supportive, inclusive community environment for all residents.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed case management to individuals and families, including intake, needs assessments, goal planning, and follow-up;

• Support individuals and families in accessing resources such as public benefits, childcare, healthcare, education, legal advocacy, and mental health services;

• Develop and facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups on topics such as trauma recovery, emotional regulation, parenting, coping with disability, and stress management;

• Promote community-building and reduce isolation through intentional, inclusive group activities;

• Engage tenants in activities that enhance resilience, empowerment, and connection;

• Complete timely program intakes and assessments ongoing in compliance with agency and funder requirements;

• Collaborate with on-site social work and property management teams to ensure coordinated support for tenant stability and safety;

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services and interactions in the agency’s case management database;

• Track and report program outcomes and support compliance with funding and contractual requirements;

• Participate in case conferences, supervision, staff meetings, and training sessions;

• Provide crisis intervention and other services to assist tenants to develop better coping skills;

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop strategies to assist tenants in achieving identified goals to maintain stability;

• Accompany tenants to Family/Criminal/Housing Court hearings and advocate for tenant, as needed;

• Comply with all agency and program policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field

• Experience in supportive counseling, harm reduction stages of change model, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care

• Experience working with mental illness, substance users, domestic violence and familiarity with disability issues a must

• Excellent computer skills 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to work in fast-paced, supportive housing environment a must

• Excellent language skills in American Sign Language or bilingual English/Spanish desired 

Equal Opportunity Employer

BFL provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants, with employment based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic disposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.   Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job duties are encouraged to submit requests to HR for consideration.