Shelter Counselor, Northampton

Shelter Counselor, Northampton

CSO is looking for Counselors for our shelter, Friends of the Homeless, in Northampton.


Shelter Counselors provide initial triage and intake interviews for people seeking and accessing shelter; document and advise about services available and needed; support bed assignments, meal supports, onsite activities, and general guest engagement; document client interactions and shift work; work with staff and guests to maintain a safe and supervised shelter environment, and facilitate the efficient and effective operation of the shelter during assigned shift.

Starting salary: $38,000-$44,000/year. Premium shift pay available for overnight shifts.

As a Shelter Counselor:

You Will:

• Greet, communicate and respond to Shelter visitors and guests by demonstrating respect and sensitivity to all individuals
• Empower our shelter guests by providing them with a safe, sanitary, and dignified environment.
• Coordinate evening and overnight activities including bed assignments, meals, and safety assessments
• Coordinate shelter access through the intake process ensuring all needed documentation has been obtained including basic demographics for record keeping and referral purposes
• Comply with and communicate all shelter rules, policies and procedures to shelter guests
• Maintain and update guest files, and clearly communicate with other shelter staff through written and verbal reports
• Focus on building relationships with guests; this includes but is not limited to meeting basic needs, identifying additional needs based on their current situation, being available to answer questions and assisting with problem solving, while demonstrating empathy and acceptance
• Support guests in times of urgency or crisis to engage with systems of care, including CSO nursing and behavioral health services, making effort to divert from the use of 911 whenever possible
• Conduct room and bag checks. Assess for safety and remove all dangerous/illegal items.
• Be awake and alert at all times
• Complete necessary guest intakes & annuals via Electronic Client Records system and update as required
• Perform a variety of duties depending on shift; ensures guests belongings are properly stored and not excessive, guests are up on time/go to bed on time, adhere to lights out, enforces performance of daily chores scheduled during shifts, performs rounds every ½ hour of dorm(s) and bathroom as well as hourly outside to ensure integrity of facility. Report findings, contact notes in the Electronic Records system
• Document incident reports, when needed
• Maintain and update guest charts in Electronic Client Records system, and clearly communicate with other shelter staff through written and verbal reports; utilize the shift report in Electronic Records system to summarize relevant events of each shift
• May coordinate and participate in a variety of social support groups, such as; orientation, house meetings, activities/events designed to meet guest's needs

Your Background:

• Bachelor's degree (preferred)
• High School Diploma or Associate's degree with experience working in the Human Services field
• Human Services related work or internship (preferred)
• Computer proficiency
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

We also seek applicants who embody CSO's values by being:

• Positive -- maintaining resiliency and focusing on solutions
• Respectful -- collaborating and effectively communicating
• Insightful -- demonstrating self-awareness and effectively priority setting
• Conscientious -- taking accountability and applying feedback

What We Offer:

Competitive salaries, full health and dental coverage, free CEUs for in-house training, ample paid time off, a 403B retirement savings plan, employee referral bonuses, group rate supplemental insurances, a premier employee assistance program, personal cell phone plan discounts, and a flexible, supportive work environment fostering collaboration.

Our Agency:

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a dynamic behavioral health organization serving Western Massachusetts for over 50 years. With offices across Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, and beyond, we're dedicated to providing comprehensive support to individuals and families. Join our team of over 650 multi-disciplinary staff and become part of a collaborative environment where excellence is fostered internally and partnerships are forged externally with community organizations. At CSO, you'll find a flexible and supportive work environment that encourages collaboration and growth. Join us and make a positive impact on thousands of lives in our communities!

CSO was voted a "Healthcare Industry Top Workplace" in 2023, 2024 and 2025. We are the fastest-growing Behavioral Health agency in Western Massachusetts. CSO has consistently received high marks on their internal employee satisfaction survey, noting that over 90% of CSO staff would recommend CSO as a great place to work. We encourage you to check us out!

CSO offers Training in: Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Skills and more.


EOE/AA