Residential Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Hudson River Housing improves lives and communities through housing with compassion and development with vision. We are dedicated to building strong, sustainable communities by developing and preserving quality affordable housing and helping families and individuals obtain and maintain housing through education, advocacy and support services. 

We are a committed group of people from all backgrounds who care deeply about our community and want to make it a better place.

Position: Residential Counselor River Haven 

Shift: Multiple shifts available, including part-time, full-time, days, evenings, overnights, and weekends.

General Description: 

The Residential Counselor is responsible for actively supervising all residents/visitors/guests at River Haven as well as the physical property or site on an on-going basis at the site to which they are assigned in accordance with policies, procedures and regulations of Hudson River Housing, Inc. The Residential counselor provides an array of services that range from intakes of new residents, providing excellent customer service, general administrative support, minor housekeeping, to advocacy and crisis intervention for those individuals and families being housed at the respective sites. 

Principal Duties:

1. Actively supervises residents of River Haven to insure their safety and compliance with program rules and their individual case plan.

2.  Handles incoming phone calls and other requests for services, providing crisis intervention services and/or referring potential clients to Case Managers when immediate intervention is not necessary.

3.  Screens all youth for housing, conducts a risk assessment /brief intake, develops initial case plan.

4.  Provides positive youth development opportunities for youth through planning and facilitating group meetings and enrichment activities.

5.  Carries out tasks as requested by Case Managers in accordance with the client's case plan.

6.  Follows procedures for emergency and planned discharges of residents that occur on their shift.

7. Prepares meals according to Program menu and supervises mealtime in a manner that fosters a positive atmosphere of mutual respect and support.

8.  Ensures that Pat’s Place building is kept clean and safe by supervising chore time completing the tasks on the shift change check list, completing other tasks as assigned and reporting identified problems to the appropriate agency staff.

9. Maintains and regularly reviews confidential client records and shares important information to so that all Program staff have the information necessary to adequately care for the residents.

10.  Actively attends and participates in required trainings and meetings and takes advantage of a sufficient number of optional training to ensure annual training requirements are met.

11. May participate in data collection and compilation, procurement of food and supplies, meal planning, community presentations, street outreach, or other activities as assigned.

12. Directly transports and/or arranges transportation for clients in accordance with procedures.

13. Maintain visitor sign in and sign out records accurately.

14. Assist in kitchen and breakfast as needed.

15. Provide emergency on-call coverage.

16. Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education : Must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent

Knowledge : Must demonstrate interest and have the capacity to effectively work with runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth and their families. Must have basic reading, writing skills and computer skills, and be able to communicate effectively. Must be detail orientated and organized. Must be flexible and open minded to deal with unexpected situations that come up. Compassion for helping others and sensitivity to special needs and diverse populations is critical. Must be a responsible, non-judgmental individual that is able to think constructively and work independently as well as part of a team. Must have a strong commitment to personal and professional ethics and standards and be able to set and maintain appropriate boundaries with program participants maintaining confidentiality at all times. 

Experience: Human service experience including interpersonal skills and sensitivity to homeless, mentally ill, low income and other special needs populations is required as well as general administrative experience. Excellent organizational skills are required, and the ability to prioritize the daily challenges. 

Requirements: Valid driver’s license a plus. Home and/or cellular telephone required. 

Valid NYS Driver's License Required

Physical Demands : Must be able to climb stairs. 

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

Shift: Multiple shifts available, including part-time, full-time, days, evenings, overnights, and weekends.

SALARY: $20.00 per hour

Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services Compliance Manager 

Equity is a core value at Hudson River Housing. We believe in promoting a culture that decenters bias, celebrates difference, enhances equitable communication, and nurtures relationship building .  

It is important to us that community members have access to stable means of economic growth. We are continually committed to hiring from within our community including applicants with lived experience that can inform and strengthen our work. 

Hudson River Housing is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin (including ancestry), religion, gender or sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), alienage or citizenship status (unless required by law), disability, reproductive health decision making (including, but not limited to, the decision to use or access a particular drug, device, or medical service), marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, military status, unemployment status, genetic information (including genetic characteristics), or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws. Hudson River Housing is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy with respect to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.